Doctoral Fellowship for design driven research on Hybrid Gardenbuildings

11 May 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

KU Leuven

Research Field

Architecture » Other

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Belgium

Application Deadline

12 Jun 2024 - 00:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

38 hours/week

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Reference Number

BAP-2024-296

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The research addresses the challenge to adopt post humanist and new materialist concepts in interior architectural design. The focus is on the interrogation of principles as “nature-inclusivity”, “rewilding”, “more-than-human” … and how to extend such principles and craft novel cultural patterns of habitation with so-called “wicked” (in-)(co-)habitant matters. This involves the refiguring of our way of designing to re-valorize and re-interiorize vital matters as soil, air, and water on and in which (interior-)architecture is founded, as well as matters now valorized as “waste” and “dirt”. 
On a concrete level, through Research-by-Design framed in literature- and case-study, the research aims at developing a hybrid “gardenbuilding” typology —a novel mixture of garden and building. This notion we relate to Haraway’s “natureculture”. This “gardenbuilding” we situate in urbanity, intending to seek connection with the movement of ‘urban rewilding’. The ecological emphasis of the research is on cultural levels (habitation) rather than on mere technological levels.
Drawing on our previous research, the research is propelled by two specific architectural elements, affiliated with specific research lines, situating it on an interior-urban spectrum. On an interior-architectural level, affiliated with the research line “26 toilets to Re-figure Habitation,” it is propelled by the “wicked,” under-investigated architectural element toilet. Essential to —sanitizing— urban habitation, it is an architecturally neglected space typifying the culturally defined urge to externalize what we consider waste. Research explorations deal with what happens if we take toilets off-grid, and engage with more-than-human matter on-site. What novel (interior/architectural/urban) spatial organizations would this generate; what novel material practices of gardening, taking care, and bringing into culture would this instill? On an urban-architectural level, affiliated with research line “Urban Corners,” the research takes as its site selected urban corner houses, ecologically normative for their era. It considers these corners as late-anthropocentrist ruins, inviting for re-figurations. The opting for urban corners is strategic, as these have a strong display potential within urban fabrics, able to pilot change within current, problematic patterns of habitation. 
Research foci: 

• “natureculture” — how to rewild by (interior-)architecture? how to hybridize habitation?
• “urban corners”— how to activate the public narrating potential of the typology?
• “element toilet”— how to engage with, make room for, and take care of waste as vibrant matter?

In line with carrying out th... For more information see https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/jobs/60331728

Requirements

Research Field

Architecture

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Additional Information
Benefits

We offer an appointment as a full-time PhD researcher (PhD Scholarship, net wage equals scale 43) for the duration of 1 year, extendable to a maximum of 4 years in total (depending on positive interim evaluations and on available funding). You will be based at the Faculty of Architecture, campus Sint-Lucas Ghent. The starting date of the position is envisioned in October 2024. 
Within this position, you will be part of KU Leuven, a university where 13,000 colleagues together make top-level teaching and research possible. 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 work environment.

Eligibility criteria

We are looking for an outstanding candidate who:

• has obtained a master’s degree in Interior Architecture (preferably) or Architecture (with a demonstrable interest in Interior);
• has distinguished yourself during your studies, academic career or professional life; and can demonstrate this by means of distinctions, achievement, awards, or endorsements;
• is able to show proof of excellent writing and graphic/visual skills by means of a portfolio and article, book chapter, or master’s thesis;
• has relevant or promising provisional experience in (design driven) research;
• is enthusiast and skilled to publicly present your work and engage in discussions with peers;
• is proactive, and enjoy taking initiative;
• is eager to work with a high level of autonomy;
• is impelled to contributing to team work as well as able to work individually;
• has a good command of English; 
• you live in, or are willing to move to Belgium for the duration of the position. 

Selection process

For more information, please contact prof. Nel Janssens ([email protected] ) or dr. Johan Liekens ([email protected] ). Candidates are invited to apply online before June 12th, 2024 at 00.59h Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in the week of June 24th, 2024 in Ghent or, if necessary, online.
Please include in your application file (in English):- a cover letter with a clear motivation (2 pages max);- a concise research statement with your tentative vision on the research project, describing your proposed research focus, theoretical and design perspective, potential urban corner houses as case-study/studies in Ghent, and methodological approach. (2 pages max)- A CV;- A portfolio and/or sample of relevant research or work experience, preferably showing your writing and drawing (or other visual) skills (a paper, article, bookchapter, thesis, professional project, …).- The names, function and contact information of two referees whom we might contact during the selection process.

You can apply for this job no later than 12/06/2024 via the online application tool

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

KU Leuven

Country

Belgium

State/Province

Oost-Vlaanderen

City

Gent

Postal Code

9000

Street

Gent

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://easyapply.jobs/r/7ljJP5721TeMr72XIlAT

Contact

State/Province

Gent

City

Oost-Vlaanderen

Street

Gent

Postal Code

9000

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED