We are inviting applications for two Postdoc positions (3-year contract) in the Department of Architecture to explore the theme of 'co-creation' in the architectural design practice and 'Activating Design'.

This position explores the methodologies and approaches for a co-creative design process and the possibilities of participation of stakeholders’ and other participants (users) to develop and manage healthy and sustainable buildings, dwellings and inclusive urban environments. It explores and develops intelligent design models that consider a logical flow of information and methods of sharing them.

You will focus from an architectural design perspective on questions such as: How can we improve architectural design process in terms of collaboration with future users or other stakeholders? How do we achieve the collective commitment? How do we structure the complex design process in such a way that user’s input finds its way towards a fluent design process and building development? How can we integrate open data into explorations together with other participants at the early design phase? How can we collectively design a data-driven built-environment?

In complex projects, stakeholders’ and other participants input provides insights into the functional and operational assessment of building components and buildings which allows designers to optimize the design. In an iterative process of optioneering, multiple possibilities are tested against the knowledge of stakeholders. This requires design possibilities (options) that need to be shared in a comprehensive way. The narrative that drives the design decisions should be frequently updated and shared with the design team and stakeholders. Design co-creators should be able to constantly check the design development and test it against initial requirements and keep those up to date relative to latest state of the design. This will allow to establish a balanced design development process of co-creation and participation and the design project to become a common goal and shared vision. Final objective is to develop the optimal design by incorporating stakeholder knowledge as well as more commitment on the design outcome.

You will investigate on: methods and approaches for a co-creative design, participatory processes, creative design thinking theories, challenges of using technology to improve the design process in co-creation. And the potential and use of open data as a resource for the sustainable design of buildings and cities.

You will work at the Department of Architecture under the guidance of the academic and scientific staff of Complex Projects, Section of History & Complexity. Together you will establish collaboration within the Department of Architecture and other departments of the Faculty of Architecture & the Built Environment and with other Faculties to develop a more transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary research. They will be asked to contribute to the teaching programme of the Department of Architecture (0.3fte).     

To be considered for this position you will have:

• A recent PhD degree in architecture, urban design, spatial planning, management of the built environment, computational design or a related spatially aware discipline.
• A proven interest in the design process and in the data-driven built-environment design.
• Scientific skills, as demonstrated by previous research and peer-reviewed publications.
• Communication, networking, and collaboration skills, as demonstrated by other activities.
• Work experience in the field of architecture and urban design.
• A good command of English (oral and written).

Fixed-term contract: 3 years.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The salary is min. € 2.960,- to max. € 5.439,- gross per month (salary scale 10 or 11; depending on the working experience and education level of the candidate. Besides the salary you a;so receive an annual holiday payment of 8% and an end of year bonus of 8.3%.

For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation. An International Children's Centre offers childcare and there is an international primary school.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Architecture & the Built Environment

The Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment has a leading role in education and research worldwide. The driving force behind the faculty’s success is its robust research profile combined with the energy and creativity of its student body and academic community. It is buzzing with energy from early in the morning until late at night, with four thousand people studying, working, designing, conducting research and acquiring and disseminating knowledge. Our faculty has a strong focus on 'design-oriented research’, which has given it a top position in world rankings.

Staff and students are working to improve the built environment with the help of a broad set of disciplines, including architectural design, urban planning, building technology, social sciences, process management, and geo-information science. The faculty works closely with other faculties, universities, private parties, and the public sector, and has an extensive network in the Netherlands as well as internationally.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment.