Two PhD fellowships in Regenerative Housing and Building Culture: Local Communities, Technologies, the Planet - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Aarhus School of Architecture invites applications for two PhD fellowships in Regenerative Housing and Building Culture: Local Communities, Technologies, the Planet

The advertised fellowships focus on Danish housing projects, which has historically been characterised by high architectural quality and an exceptional tradition of public housing. Aarhus School of Architecture calls for projects with the potential to rethink this strong heritage and contribute to the development of future sustainable forms of housing in light of climate-related challenges. There is a rapidly increasing awareness that it is not sustainable to demolish buildings that have reached the end of their technological and functional use. Instead there is a need for building culture focusing on renovation, transformation, and converting buildings to new uses. Aarhus School of Architecture is looking for PhD projects that explore the social, aesthetic, material, and spatial potentials for housing construction that a changed building culture can bring about. Projects could also examine the housing ideals, frameworks, planning strategies, and administrative procedures that characterise public and private construction today. For this reason, the school is looking for PhD students who want to contribute to the research-based development of a regenerative housing and building culture within local and planetary boundaries.

Aarhus School of Architecture calls for project proposals that address this complex area. Projects might, for instance, involve studies of habitation and residential typologies from a historical and tectonic perspective aimed at developing contemporary forms of habitation in existing building structures – or technological, tectonic, or material-based development principles of transformation and renovation that can have the potential to create architecturally distinct housing that is both sustainable and regenerative. The research projects might also focus on critical investigations of the planning processes, financing and business models, ownership, and administrative procedures of housing construction with the aim of challenging and developing alternatives to practices that are not sustainable.

The advertised fellowships, therefore, call for research across the scales of housing construction, from public and commercial urban development strategies to renegotiating private and collective needs in terms of habitation, and the spatial, functional, and tectonic rethinking of existing buildings down to the smallest detail.

The advertised fellowships are open to all relevant research methods. Aarhus School of Architecture is, however, particularly interested in projects that comprise elements of design, hands-on exploration, and action-research in accordance with the PhD School's focus on research through design.

The two PhD fellowships will be affiliated with Research Lab 2 – "Technology, Building Cultures and Habitation". The laboratory's vision is to combine theory and practice by means of research in architectural technologies, building cultures, and habitation. The laboratory promotes sustainable building practices and critical reflection through interdisciplinary collaboration and practice- and material-based research carried out in the school's workshop facilities. The laboratory provides the framework for a shared academic environment for the three PhD projects and ensures that the research projects are supported by current areas of research at Aarhus School of Architecture.

Aarhus School of Architecture is currently carrying out research related to the advertised fellowships through the research projects Flexible Communities and Centre for Regenerative Building. We expect the PhD projects to orient themselves towards this research and, when relevant, include experience and methods from the research.

We would like the positions filled from 2 January 2025 or as soon as possible after this date. 

About the positions

Enrolment in the PhD School with the aim of acquiring a PhD degree in architecture is a requirement for filling the position. The PhD programme is a three-year scientific course of study comprising teaching and dissemination.

All the advertised positions are full-time positions (37 hours per week). The workplace is Aarhus School of Architecture, Exners Plads 7, 8000 Aarhus C. And PhD students are expected to be actively and regularly present in the PhD school environment.

The responsibilities of a PhD student include:

• Planning and carrying out a PhD research project and composing a PhD dissertation
• Authoring and co-authoring scientific articles and other types of academic dissemination related to the PhD research project
• Participating in and completing PhD courses in accordance with the regulations of the PhD programme
• Participating in and co-organising workshops, seminars and conferences
• Carrying out teaching in the school's educational programmes in subjects related to the PhD project and the knowledge areas of the research labs
• Completing a stay at a research institution outside Denmark of no less than two months
• Participating actively in the academic and social life of The PhD School and Aarhus School of Architecture

What we offer you

At Aarhus School of Architecture, we offer a creative and innovative research and teaching environment to which PhD students also contribute actively.

In 2021 we moved into Denmark's first new built school of architecture, in the heart of Aarhus, with greatly expanded workshop facilities and an open structure that appeals to collaboration across the school's many academic environments. Take a look at our new facilities.

The new building has made the school a more integrated part of the city and the surrounding area; an area that is now an environment that is creative and dedicated to social commitment. An environment in which tomorrow's architecture is created in collaboration with architecture firms and other stakeholders of the building industry, entrepreneurs, the municipality, the citizens of Aarhus, and partners from all over the world. Being a Scandinavian institution, we have a long-standing tradition of cultivating a local approach to architecture. This tradition is also our starting point for a strong international focus.

Employees of Aarhus School of Architecture enjoy opportunities to work with people of different age groups and from many different cultures. We work together across the institution, and we all play an important role. For which reason, our voice is heard regardless of the position we are employed in. We believe that we create the best framework for an attractive and vibrant workplace through mutual recognition and by focusing on cooperation.

How you apply

Aarhus School of Architecture is looking for PhD fellows with relevant academic backgrounds on the Master's level. 

The project description should include a subject description and a problem statement supported by professional argumentation, reflections on the project's theoretical and methodological approach, as well as reflections on the expected results of the research. The total length of the application should not exceed six pages (A4). 

You also need to upload the following documents (as PFD files):

• A copy of certificates for exams you have passed on the Master's level
• A CV containing a list of publications, if relevant
• A portfolio (no more than 20 MB)

Aarhus School of Architecture is a varied workplace with room for diversity. We encourage all interested applicants who have the relevant qualifications to apply for the position.

Please note that the position will be advertised and filled in accordance with the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science's  Order of 12 April 2019 regarding the employment of artistic and academic staff at artistic higher education institutions in the area governed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science.

Shortlisting

Aarhus School of Architecture shortlists applicants. Shortlisting means that only those applicants who, based on an overall assessment, best match the needs of the school are selected for further academic assessment. This selection is based on the formal and academic requirements for applicants stated in the call. All applicants will be informed whether their application has been shortlisted for assessment.

For assessing applications, the emphasis will be on:

• Applicants having a qualifying examination at Master's level
• That the project description is based on a clear and relevant idea for how the chosen subject area might be explored based in a Danish context
• That the proposed research project can be supplemented and supported by ongoing research carried out in Research Lab 2
• That the proposed project can be developed into a limited and feasible research project within the framework of the three-year PhD programme of Aarhus School of Architecture
• Whether the applicant's CV, list of publications, and portfolio document relevant experience that could support a PhD study in the proposed subject area. However, proven experience is not a requirement for applying

After assessing the applicants, the hiring committee selects the candidates that are invited for interviews.

Salaries and terms of employment

Salaries and terms of employment will be in accordance with the rules regarding PhD fellowships stated in the Circular on collective agreements for state employed academic staff (retsinformation.dk) (Cirkulære om overenskomst for akademikere i staten).

Non-Danish speaking candidates are expected to acquire Danish language skills at working level within a three-year horizon, in order to be able to contribute to the research lab's external networks and collaborations.

Additional information

Please direct any questions about the positions to:

• Professor Marie Frier Hvejsel på +45 8936 0239 or mfh@aarch.dk
• Professor Søren Nielsen på +45 8936 0314 or sn@aarch.dk

Please note that the school staff are on holiday during July.