Associate Professor in Architecture with a focus on Building Technology and Sustainable Construction - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Umeå School of Architecture (UMA) invites applications for the position of Associate professor in architecture with a focus on building technology and sustainable construction. At UMA, you will be part of a highly international, forward-thinking and open environment where holistic, interdisciplinary and experimental approaches are considered crucial and building technology is understood as an integral part of the design process that substantially defines the architectural outcome both physically and culturally. Application deadline is 2023-07-06.

Duties

As Associate Professor in Architecture with a focus on  Building  Technology and Sustainable Construction, your duties mainly consist of teaching in combination with research in this field. You are expected to continuously develop and teach all building technology courses at UMA and ensure further progression of construction and material knowledge throughout the program also by engaging in other project-based studio courses. Other tasks include administration, planning, documentation and development of your own teaching and research as well as department-wide tasks.

As an Associate Professor, you are expected to convey your knowledge through both project and seminar-based teaching methods that enable students to work with digital and non-digital tools from sketching and plan drawing, to detailing and building physical models at different scales (up to 1:1) as well as testing the designs’ performance through building simulations. Your teaching should on all educational levels be informed by innovative approaches that reflect the latest discourse within the field of expertise as well as your own research production.

At undergraduate level, you are expected to convey principles of building construction and building materials. Starting from a building’s basic structure to its envelope and how both are defined by material qualities enables students to design sustainable buildings that are climate-adapted, and resource- and energy-efficient. At Master´s level, you are expected to engage students in more complex and autonomous construction design tasks and material studies to create research-based, advanced applications of their previously acquired knowledge.

The position includes a professional development component with allocated time towards the development of your own research specialization and pedagogical competence. In addition, your tasks include communicating the education, research and development work at the department to stakeholders within and outside Umeå University, as well as initiating and participating in the planning of development projects. Maintaining and developing good work routines and contributing to a good work environment through collaboration with others within the department, at the Arts Campus, at Umeå University and with external partners, is integrated as a key task in all parts of the employment.

Eligibility requirements

According to Chapter 4, Section 4 of the Higher Education Ordinance, a person shall be qualified for appointment as Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor if he or she within an area has demonstrated educational expertise and holds a doctorate or has attained equivalent academic competence or other professional skills relevant with regard to the subject area of the appointment.

The completed doctorate degree must relate to the subject area of architecture.

A high level of English proficiency, both in speaking and writing, is a requirement.

Assessment criteria and their weight

The assessment criteria for appointment as an associate professor shall be the degree of the expertise required as a qualification for employment. As much attention shall be given to the assessment of teaching expertise as to the assessment of scientific expertise.

In the selection of candidates, emphasis will primarily and to an equal extent, be put on the degree of scientific and pedagogical expertise. Secondly, the degree of documented professional practice-based experience in architectural design and construction will be taken into account. Thirdly, emphasis will be given to administrative skills, including the ability to lead people and business operations and the ability to interact with the surrounding society and to inform about research and development work. Beyond this, other skills if importance to the subject content of the position will be considered.

Scientific expertise

Scientific expertise shall be demonstrated through independent scientific productivity. The criteria for assessment are:

• breadth and depth of research – quality and scope
• originality of research
• productivity
• contributions to the international research community
• assignments within the research community
• the ability to competitively obtain external research funding
• collaboration with the surrounding society

Scientific expertise must refer to sub-areas of architecture with a focus on building technology and sustainable construction. Documented experience of applying this expertise in at least two application areas is a merit. 

The degree of scientific skill will be assessed based on published scientific work, published in internationally distributed scientific journals and conferences that apply peer reviews, or alternatively other forms of publication channels and presentations linked to the subject area that can be used in a review to assess the degree of scientific skill.

Pedagogical expertise

The pedagogical expertise for employment as associate professor should be demonstrated by documented experience of teaching with scientific foundation at university level. The criteria for evaluation are:

• an ability to plan, implement and evaluate teaching and an ability to supervise and examine students at every level of education
• an ability to vary teaching methods and examination formats in relation to anticipated study results and the nature of the subject
• experience of collaboration with the surrounding society in planning and implementation of education
• participation in the development of learning environments, teaching aids and study resources
• a reflective approach to student learning and one’s own role as a teacher

Pedagogical expertise can be attained through education in university pedagogy, other education of relevance for teaching at a university level or documented and proven experience teaching at the university level.

Pedagogical expertise should primarily refer to architecture with a focus on building technology and sustainable construction.

Experience of developing course curricula in order to actively lead and contribute to the research-based development of pedagogy in this area is meritorious for the position.    

Additional qualifications

A general basis for assessment for all teaching categories is both good cooperative skills and the expertise and suitability in general required to complete the work duties satisfactorily.

Documented professional practice-based experience with a focus on architectural design and construction in all building development stages will be given weight in the assessment process.

The administrative proficiency should include the ability to develop and lead activities and personnel at the department, but also within other relevant operations. 

The ability to collaborate with the surrounding society is assessed based on the applicant's experience in collaborating with public and private stakeholders as well as with researchers from other scientific fields.

Proven ability to create collaboration between undergraduate, advanced and postgraduate education and research within the subject area of the position, but also with other disciplines, practitioners and other actors in the field of architecture and in society is considered a strong asset.

Great emphasis is placed on personal suitability and demonstrated ability to communicate constructively with stakeholders within and outside Umeå University.

Additional details

As an employee at Umeå University, you're offered a wide variety of benefits that promote a good work- life balance, read more about benefits here.

The employment location is Umeå, therefore the selected candidate will be expected to move to Umeå.

Application

When you apply, we ask you to answer questions in Varbi. These questions replace a cover letter from you. The application should preferably be written in English, and include the following items:

Attachments

1. CV/Umu Application template. Fill in the required application template (word). Submit it attached to your application in the Varbi system as your CV. The following information must be provided in the application template:
   • basic information (contact details, employment and education history)
   • an account of research experience (including a list of articles published and a brief research plan)
   • an account of pedagogical experience and activities
   • an account of experiences of developing and managing activities and staff
   • an account of experiences regarding interacting with the surrounding society and popularizing science
   • references, including contact details
2. Copies of relevant university degrees and diplomas
3. Copies of five research publications relevant to the position, numbered according to the publication list
4. Attachments to a pedagogical portfolio (see p. 3.5 in Umu Application template)
5. A portfolio or documentation showcasing professional practice-based experience in architectural formation, if applicable (optional)

See instructions for what to include in the application, as well as how to describe scientific or artistic and educational activities (pdf)

Applications should be made via e-recruitment system Varbi and be received no later than 2023-07-06.