Senior Lecturer in Architecture with a focus on computational design and digital fabrication

Description of the workplace

The position is based at the Department of Architecture and the Built Environment at Lund University and will be primarily situated within the subject area Architecture, Form and Design. It combines research within the bioDigital matter lab with teaching and academic leadership in the Master’s Programme in Digital Architecture and Emergent Futures (MAEF). MAEF is an international, English-language programme focused on experimental architectural design, computational methods, digital fabrication and changing forms of architectural practice.

The bioDigital matter lab is a research environment working at the intersection of architecture, computation and material processes. Current research includes robotic and additive fabrication, adaptive construction, bio-based materials and biologically informed design. The work is supported by robotics and digital fabrication infrastructure within the Faculty of Engineering and by opportunities for collaboration across architecture, engineering and related fields.

The appointee will work closely with colleagues responsible for MAEF and the bioDigital matter lab while developing an independent research profile. The position offers substantial scope to shape the long-term development of the programme, initiate collaborative research projects and contribute to an expanding research environment in digital and materially experimental architecture. The workplace is located at the School of Architecture in Lund, where teaching and research form part of an international and collaborative academic environment.

Subject

Architecture with a focus on computational design and digital fabrication

Subject description

The subject concerns computational approaches to architectural design and their interaction with material, spatial and fabrication practices. It encompasses design and research methods that connect programming, digital modelling and simulation with physical experimentation, material behaviour and computer-controlled fabrication. Computation is understood both as a design medium and as part of iterative processes in which digital and physical operations inform one another. Research may combine scientific inquiry with artistic, practice-based and experimental methods in which design, prototyping and making contribute to knowledge production.

Particular emphasis is placed on materially grounded approaches to architecture, including robotic and additive fabrication, material computation, bio-based materials, adaptive or interactive systems and digital craft. The field also examines how emerging technologies and changing modes of production reshape architectural design and practice. At Lund University, the subject is developed through the Master’s Programme in Digital Architecture and Emergent Futures (MAEF) and the bioDigital matter lab, supported by robotics and digital fabrication infrastructure within the Faculty of Engineering.

Work duties

Work duties include

• Research within the subject area and active contribution to the bioDigital matter lab's research environment.
• Teaching in the first, second and third cycles of studies, including course responsibility, supervision and examination of degree projects.
• Development and leadership of research projects, including actively seeking external research funding independently and in collaboration with colleagues.
• Active leadership role and contribution to the MAEF programme's long-term development and quality.
• Collaboration with industry and wider society.
• Administration related to the work duties listed above.

Qualification requirements

Appointment to senior lecturer requires that the applicant has:

• A PhD or corresponding research competence or professional expertise considered important with regard to the subject matter of the post and the work duties it will involve.
• Demonstrated teaching expertise.
• Completed five weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning, or acquired equivalent knowledge by other means, unless there are valid reasons.

Assessment

Assessment criteria

When assessing the applicants, special importance will be given to research and teaching expertise within the subject, assessing research and teaching expertise equally.

The assessment criteria specify the aspects to be taken into account, and the level to be achieved, in order for the assessment criteria to be deemed fulfilled. The following assessment criteria must be fulfilled for appointment to senior lecturer:

• A good national and international standing as a researcher. The requirement for international experience shall be assessed with consideration to the character and traditions of the subject.
• Good teaching ability, including a good ability to conduct, develop and lead teaching and other educational activities on different levels and using a variety of teaching methods.
• An ability to supervise doctoral students to achieve a PhD.
• An ability to collaborate with wider society and communicate his or her activities.
• A general ability to lead and develop activities.

Additional requirements

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Significant documented research experience (e.g. from postdoc or doctoral studies) from another university/institute or relevant experience from industry/public sector.
• A doctoral degree (PhD) in subject relevant for the position.
• A Master’s degree in Architecture or equivalent documented professional experience in architectural practice.
• Experience of teaching architectural design, including studio-based education.
• Good competence in computational design methods and their application within architecture or design.
• Collaborative skills, initiative and the ability to solve work tasks independently.

Other qualifications

• Depth of expertise in one or more materially oriented computational practices, such as robotic fabrication, additive manufacturing, material computation, bio-based materials, adaptive systems or digital craft.
• Expertise in programming and its application in architecture or design.
• Experience of design-led or experimental research in which design, prototyping or making contributes to knowledge production.
• Experience of course or programme development and educational leadership, particularly within architectural design or computational methods.
• Experience of preparing and submitting applications for external research funding, independently or in collaboration. Successful acquisition of external research funding will be considered an additional merit.
• Experience of developing collaborative or interdisciplinary research projects or research environments.

The extent to which the applicant, through their experience and skills, may complement and strengthen ongoing research, undergraduate education, departmental innovation, and how they can contribute to the future development of the department will also be taken into consideration.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme.  Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-university/work-lund-university.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English. Please draw up the application in accordance with LTH’s Academic qualifications portfolio – see link below. Additional to LTH’s template, please include your own design portfolio. Upload the application as PDF-files in the recruitment system. Read more: http://www.lth.se/english/working-at-lth/to-apply-for-academic-positions-at-lth/