Assistant Professor in Activating Design

The department of Architecture would like to open 1 position for an Assistant Professor to work on the theme of Activating Design and Co-Creation within the section of Building Knowledge. This is a fully funded position by the sector plan Design Engineering Science. The selected candidate will contribute and develop both research and teaching under the guidance of the scientific staff of the academic group of Complex Projects.

The term ‘Activating Design’ is introduced by the group of Complex Projects as an approach to investigate the role of architectural design as a communication engine and enabler of collaboration, as opposed to the traditional understanding of a mere outcome. Architectural design is both an inventory and a curated representation of the available knowledge about an integrated project. The design process is guided by a shared narrative that is continuously updated with the input of stakeholders and design participants. In an iterative process of optioneering, multiple possibilities are tested against the knowledge of stakeholders. This requires expert insights that are shared in a comprehensive way for the assessment and optimization of design options. 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.

From an architectural design perspective:

• How can we improve architectural design process in terms of collaboration with future users or other stakeholders?
• 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 do emerging technologies regarding the design practice help to achieve collective commitment?

The position explores the interdisciplinary architectural design practice, and the responsible adoption of new technologies to face the digital, societal and environmental transitions. The aim is to develop innovative design thinking theories and integrated approaches for a co-creative design process. It underscores the relation between data and (shared) narrative in the pursuit of sustainable and collaborative urban and architectural design.

As an Assistant Professor, you will inspire colleagues and students through research and education, both in courses (existing and to be developed) and project-oriented education. You are expected to help acquiring funding for new research projects from different national and international funding schemes and contribute to organizational tasks and valorisation of the group work.

The candidate has:

• A PhD degree in architecture, urban design, spatial planning, management of the built environment, computational design, or a related spatially aware discipline.
• Preferably a Post Doc or an equivalent of at least two years of post-PhD experience.
• A proven interest in the integrated design approach and in the data-driven design processes.
• Familiarity with integrated building models (BIM) and geographic information systems (e.g. ArcGIS).
• Scientific skills, as demonstrated by previous research and publications.
• Communication, networking, and collaboration skills, as demonstrated by other activities.
• Work experience in the field of architecture and urban design.
• Nice to have demonstrated leadership skills in working with multiple stakeholders
• Have a good command of English (oral and written) and (preferably) Dutch. 

This position is offered as an Academic Career Track position (0.8 FTE). During the Academic Career Track, we expect you to grow towards an Associate Professor position within a maximum of eight years, for which a position will be available. With other Academic Career Track colleagues, you will participate in the Academic Career Track Development programme, where you are offered ample opportunities to develop yourself in the areas of Education, Research, Societal Impact & Innovation, and Leadership & Organisation. You will regularly discuss your development and results with senior staff based on a personalized development plan and performance criteria agreed upon at the start of your Academic Career Track. You will start with a temporary contract that will be converted to a permanent contract no later than 12 -18 months after a positive evaluation, based on continuous confidence in your development potential and fit in the organisation.

Inspiring, excellent education is our central aim. We expect you to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) within three years if you have less than five years of teaching experience. This is provided by the TU Delft UTQ programme as part of the Academic Career Track Development programme.

TU Delft sets high standards for the English competency of the teaching staff. The TU Delft offers training to improve English competency. If you do not speak Dutch, we offer courses to learn the Dutch language within three years.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged and you can work partly from home.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service addresses the needs of new international employees and those of their partners and families. The Coming to Delft Service offers personalised assistance during the preparation of the relocation, finding housing and schools for children (if applicable). In addition, a Dual Career Programme for partners is offered. The Coming to Delft Service will do their best to help you settle in the Netherlands.

From 1 September next, a salary increase of 3.7% applies due to a Collective Agreement amendment, followed by an additional 1% increase on 1 January 2025. In addition, most employees employed on 1 September 2024 will receive a one-off payment of €300 gross based on full-time employment.

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!

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.

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please submit the following documents:

• Your motivation letter.
• Your extensive CV.
• A short reflection about research and teaching that includes a summary of your area of interest and future plans (max 1 page A4).
• Contact information of three persons who can provide references.
• A publication list.
• An abstract of your PhD thesis (max 1 page).
• Links to two publications most valuable to you.

Please note:

• You must apply via the "Apply now" button. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-Employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.