Assistant Professor in Architectural Design - Complex Projects

Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM); Delft; On-site; EUR 50.000 - 70.000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic institution in Delft seeks a designer-researcher for an academic career track in architectural design. Responsibilities include advanced research, teaching, and fostering innovation in sustainable environments. Candidates should have a PhD in architecture and experience with architectural design tools. This role offers opportunities for career advancement in a creative and collaborative academic environment.

Benefits

Customizable compensation package

Flexible work schedules

International relocation assistance

Qualifications

• PhD in architecture, urban design, or related discipline required.
• Experience in design research demonstrated by publications/projects.
• Ability to collaborate with multiple stakeholders necessary.

Responsibilities

• Advance architectural design research through publications and projects.
• Inspire students via innovative teaching formats and design studios.
• Contribute to the growth of the group's international profile.

Skills

Integrated design

Collaboration

Architectural theory

Communication in English

Education

PhD in architecture or related field

Tools

BIM

GIS

Job description

Overview

Join us as designer-researcher to co-create with students and partners, pioneer transformative design methods and tools, and inspire the next generation of architects towards sustainable environments.

Job description

The Department of Architecture invites applications for an Academic Career Track position in Architectural Design within the Complex Projects group, in the Building Knowledge Section. Complex Projects explores an architecture of dialogue—dialectic, inclusive, and relational. Rather than designing for architects alone, we engage with reality to transform it from within. Our work investigates how the ordinary can become both exceptional and useful, avoiding formal prejudice and fostering implicit sustainability. This often involves architectural projects where multiple stakeholders come together—such as mobility, educational environments, and healthcare facilities—requiring negotiation, collaboration, and integrated design.

Within this framework, we are seeking a forward-thinking designer–researcher who will:

• Challenge conventional approaches by advancing integrated design and co-creation with students, colleagues, and external partners.
• Transform the discipline of architecture by developing new theories, methods, and tools that redefine architectural practice.
• Contribute to society by fostering sustainable environments and inspiring the next generation of architects.

This position offers the opportunity to shape architectural education and research in a dynamic, international academic environment that values creativity, collaboration, and real-world relevance.

This Academic Career Track position is funded through the Sector Plan Design Engineering Science and supports the faculty’s agenda on Activating Design and Co-Creation—a theme positioning architectural design not only as an outcome, but as a driver of knowledge, communication, and collaboration.

Design is understood both as:

• a curated representation of integrated project knowledge.
• a continuous, iterative process shaped by shared narratives and stakeholder participation.

Through dialogue, iteration, and rigor, design itself becomes a research method—integrating expert insights, user input, and stakeholder knowledge into transparent, adaptive, and evaluative processes.

Research Focus

This position invites research into the evolving role of architectural design in response to societal, technological, and environmental transitions. Key guiding questions include:

• How can design processes enable meaningful collaboration with future users and diverse stakeholders?
• How can complexity be managed so that stakeholder input leads to coherent architectural and urban outcomes?
• How can emerging technologies and data-driven approaches enrich design practice, fostering new forms of co-creation and collective commitment?

Academic Role

As an Assistant Professor, you will:

• Advance architectural design research through publications, projects, and acquisition of external funding.
• Inspire students through design studios, project-oriented courses, and innovative teaching formats. (0.4fte education time for 1fte full time appointment)
• Strengthen the group’s international profile by linking practice, research, and education.
• Contribute to organizational development and the broader valorization of design research.

Requirements

We seek candidates with:

• A PhD in architecture, urban design, computational design, or a related discipline.
• Experience with integrated building models (BIM) and spatial analysis tools (e.g., GIS).
• A strong track records in design research, evidenced by publications and/or projects.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across disciplines and with multiple stakeholders.
• Professional experience in architectural or urban design practice.
• Excellent communication skills in English (Dutch proficiency is an advantage).
• Leadership potential in education, research, or multi-stakeholder settings.

About TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Conditions of employment

This position is offered as an Academic Career Track position (0.8-1.0 FTE). During the Academic Career Track, we expect you to grow towards an Associate Professor position within a maximum of eight years, for which a position will be available. With other Academic Career Track colleagues, you will participate in the Academic Career Track Development programme, where you are offered ample opportunities to develop yourself in the areas of Education, Research, Societal Impact & Innovation, and Leadership & Organisation. You will regularly discuss your development and results with senior staff based on a personalized development plan and performance criteria agreed upon at the start of your Academic Career Track. You will start with a temporary contract that will be converted to a permanent contract no later than 12 -18 months after a positive evaluation, based on continuous confidence in your development potential and fit in the organisation.

Inspiring, excellent education is our central aim. We expect you to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) within three years if you have less than five years of teaching experience. This is provided by the TU Delft UTQ programme as part of the Academic Career Track Development programme.

TU Delft sets high standards for the English competency of the teaching staff. The TU Delft offers training to improve English competency. If you do not speak Dutch, we offer courses to learn the Dutch language within three years.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged and you can work partly from home.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service addresses the needs of new international employees and those of their partners and families. The Coming to Delft Service offers personalised assistance during the preparation of the relocation, finding housing and schools for children (if applicable). In addition, a Dual Career Programme for partners is offered. The Coming to Delft Service will do their best to help you settle in the Netherlands.

Additional information

For more information about the research theme of this position, please contact Dr. Manuela Triggianese via m.triggianese-1 at tudelft.nl and Prof.ir. Kees Kaan via Kees.Kaan at tudelft.nl.

For information about the application procedure, please contact Nynke Schik, HR Advisor, via recruitment-BK at tudelft.nl.

For information about the Complex Projects group, please visit the TU Delft webpage.

For information about the research approach of Building Knowledge Section, please visit the TU Delft webpage.

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 1st November 2025 via the application button and upload:

• Your motivation letter.
• Your extensive CV and (preferably) your portfolio.
• A short reflection about research and teaching that includes a summary of your area of interest and future plans (max 1 page A4).
• Contact information of three persons who can provide references.
• An abstract of your PhD thesis (max 1 page).
• Links to two publications most valuable to you.

Please note:

• You must apply via the "Apply now" button. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-Employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.