Studio Teaching Assistant at the Institute of Design and Architecture

Studio Teaching Assistant at the Institute of Design and Architecture

The Department of Architecture (D-ARCH) is one of the most highly regarded faculties of architecture in the world. It owes its prominent position to both the high quality of the teaching and the outstanding results of the research. This well-established approach to teaching and research, representing a long tradition, manifests itself in the structure of flexible design studios that work in close cooperation with the institutes, and it is experienced throughout all phases of Bachelor and Master studies at the D-ARCH as a holistic and open program.

More information under: https://arch.ethz.ch/en/departement/profil.html

The Chair of Architectural Behaviorology, led by Prof. Momoyo Kaijima, is engaged in teaching and research activities on Architectural Behaviorology, a design theory and methodology. This multidisciplinary approach to architecture design combines insights from ethnography, production, economy, and other related fields to create an architecture landscape in which a diversity of actors, including human, resources, and materials, are taken into the design process.

One of the major tasks of the Chair is teaching a second-year design studio, in which students will have hands on experience on design and draw an architectural project, research, team work, and will have the opportunity to presenting and arguing their ideas.

The second-year design studio is organized as a two-semester long course. During the autumn semester, the topic in our design studio will focus on housing and CAD drawing, while the spring semester’s focus is on public spaces and 1:1 mock-up building. Typically, there will be around 50 to 60 students per semester.

More information about the chair and the semesters at: https://kaijima.arch.ethz.ch/

Starting in the academic year 2022/2023, we are looking for a teaching assistant (50%), to support the team teaching the second-year design studio. Your tasks will include:

• Preparation of materials and documents for the design studio
• Organizing and running the design studios
• Supporting the students to develop their projects during desk critiques
• Evaluating and grading the student projects
• Holding short input lecture for the studio

As a teaching assistant at the chair, you are expected to teach a combination of architectural design and research, both within the framework of Architectural Behaviorology. You will need to be able to understand the student’s ideas and to help them further developing their projects.  You need to have knowledge of structure, construction and detailing to support the students also in these matters. Additionally, knowledge of research and research-based thinking will allow you to support the students, finding good and agreeable solutions for design problems.

Teaching assistant contracts are limited to one year, with the option of renewing the contract every year. The starting date of the contract will be the 1st of August 2022. Studio days are Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

ETH Zurich is a family-friendly employer with excellent working conditions. You can look forward to an exciting working environment, cultural diversity and attractive offers and benefits.

You must have a master’s degree in architecture and must be able to teach and research in English, as the design studios are held largely in English. Additionally, knowledge of German and / or Italian are a desirable asset for research and the exchange with local collaborators. Having working experience in an architecture office, including working on execution plans is desirable to support the students on developing their projects.

The studio’s program will be closely related to Switzerland and Zurich, therefore knowledge of Swiss culture and architecture is necessary. Applicants should therefore live in Switzerland, ideally within the Zurich area.

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in
science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education,
cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge
into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our
university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an
environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe,
yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to
develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.

We look forward to receiving your online application by May 31st 2022. Applications must be written in English and include:

• CV (max. 2 pages)
• Portfolio with examples of architectural works and research, in pictures and text (max. 10 pages)
• Cover letter, explaining your motivation and your interest in Architectural Behaviorology (max. 1 page).

We expect to contact prospective candidates at the beginning of June.

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered. Only complete applications will be reviewed. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Prof. Momoyo Kaijima via email: [email protected] (no applications).