About the employer
KU Leuven is an autonomous university. It was founded in 1425. It was born of and has grown within the Catholic tradition.
Visit the employer pageKU Leuven is an autonomous university. It was founded in 1425. It was born of and has grown within the Catholic tradition.
Visit the employer pageThe Faculty of Architecture groups the academic architecture programmes (Interior Architecture, Architecture, Urban Design & Spatial Planning, Educational Master) of the Sint-Lucas campuses in Brussels and Ghent. Driven by a carefully curated diversity of practices, the faculty is known for its forward-looking education that cultivates a freedom of exploration and experimentation. There are currently around 2200 students, 350 of whom are international students.
https://arch.kuleuven.be/english/index
The vacancy concerns a guest lectureship in design in the master in urban design and spatial planning. This course focuses on three pillars: analysis of space, policy and realisation, and social and ecological aspects of the discipline. These substantive curricula, taught in the theory subjects, are put to concrete use in the design studio.
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We are looking for a part-time guest lecturer (15%) to coordinate and supervise a design studio together with a teaching assistant. In the design studio, we take a design-based approach to the complex spatial issues of the 21st century: how do we deal with ecological challenges such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, water scarcity and heavy rainfall, overexploitation, ... ? All this against a background of gentrification, precarious housing, migration, ageing and other social challenges. Students work in the studios on complex design challenges in concrete urban or urbanised areas at different scales. In cooperation with social stakeholders, they also look for creative innovations for the policy-related aspects of spatial design.
As a guest lecturer, you will be responsible for a design studio in the master in urban and spatial planning, direct the teaching assistent, and evaluate the designs created by the students.
What does this entail?
Your main task is coordination and substantive supervision of a design studio within the master's programme in which you, together with a teaching assistant, have about 20 to 25 students under your care;
You work out your specific teaching assignment together with fellow design supervisors, and the teaching assistant who supports you;
You regularly coordinate with the other supervisors, exchange expertise and agree among yourselves for reviews and evaluations;
You participate in developing and refining the pedagogy of design;
You confront students with visions, possibilities, resources and critiques to teach them to structure, manage and transform complexity into design proposals;
In addition to these tasks, you also take on support tasks such as supervision of master's theses.
We are looking for an urban/spatial planner, civil engineer-architect, master in architecture or landscape architect with relevant practical experience and an exemplary portfolio.
You hold a master's degree.
You are preferably the head of a leading design firm or can present equivalent experience in the design development of solutions to the aforementioned design and social challenges. Experience with themes such as ecology and transition, and how design can also address these in a socially equitable way is a strong plus.
You have experience in leadership.
You have a sense of reflection and know how to pass on the topicality of design within a constantly innovative pedagogical approach.
You have good communication and social skills to work in a team.
You can work independently, in consultation with fellow teachers.
Knowledge of Dutch is an asset, but not an exclusive requirement.
We offer a part-time 15% appointment for 1 year, renewable, in the status of guest lecturer (academic staff scale 14 lecturer) with effect from 1 October 2023.
Depending on the assignment, some meetings may already take place before the start date to prepare for the upcoming semester.
Within this position, you will be part of KU Leuven, a university where 13,000 colleagues together enable top-level teaching and research. This includes an exciting work environment that offers opportunities to build your experience and develop your skills. In addition, various initiatives are taken, locally and centrally, to ensure the well-being and satisfaction of colleagues in this working environment.
Further information can be obtained from Prof Bruno Notteboom (bruno.notteboom@kuleuven.be) and Prof Els Vervloesem (els.vervloesem@kuleuven.be).
Please apply for this vacancy with a CV, motivation note and portfolio of up to 20 pages in total until 12/06/2023 via our online application application. Application interviews will take place on 3 and 6 July.
KU Leuven aims to create an environment in which all talents can develop to their maximum potential, regardless of gender, age, cultural origin, nationality or disability. If you have any questions regarding accessibility or support opportunities, please contact us at diversiteit.HR@kuleuven.be.
KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us at diversiteit.HR@kuleuven.be.
KU Leuven is an autonomous university. It was founded in 1425. It was born of and has grown within the Catholic tradition.
Visit the employer page