Research assistant for the Kagome Architectures project

Research assistant for the Kagome Architectures project

The Royal Danish Academy – Architecture, Design, Conservation invites applications for a 2-year, full-time position as a research assistant for the Kagome Architectures project.

Kagome Architectures is new research project funded by the Carlsberg Foundation under a 5-year Semper Ardens Accomplish grant awarded to Prof. Phil Ayres. The project will investigate the direct application of tri-axial weaving principles to solid timber with the objective of making structurally performing lattices at architectural scale. The key novelties of this approach will be the ability to make structures without the need of mechanical and chemical fixings within the lattice, and the ability to achieve free-form geometries using straight stock timber. A core challenge of the project, and the focus area of this position, is the development of structurally performing junctions for axially extending timber members, thereby overcoming a 3m length fabrication constraint and allowing them to be woven together in large lattices. We are looking for a person with a strong professional research profile who is committed to leading the delivery of results, producing new knowledge through practice-based enquiry and contributing innovative thinking in this specific track of the research project.

The vacant position is affiliated with the Institute of Architecture and Technology, within the recently established Chair for Biohybrid Architecture. We hope to fill the position by 1st January 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.



Institute of Architecture and Technology

The Department of Architecture and Technology unites building art with studies of technologies in the development and use of materials, the design and properties of building structures and production. The institute focuses on how technologies in critical interaction with architecture can enrich the community and cope with global challenges - both in Danish and international contexts. We work on materials studies, building physics and tectonic innovation. The department's research and artistic development often takes place in close interdisciplinary cooperation with relevant institutions and companies all over the world. The department's teaching is organized in 1 bachelor's program ,4 master's programs and teaching of ph.d.s. In addition, the institute contributes to the Academy’s interdisciplinary teaching.

Read more here: https://royaldanishacademy.com/en/institute-architecture-technology



The position

The position as research assistant will consist of research and/or artistic research. Teaching and other tasks may occur to a minor extent.

Your duties will include:

• Research and/or artistic research in the focus area of the position, in collaboration with relevant external institutions, enterprises and networks nationally and internationally, as well as with the other R&D areas at the Institute and the Royal Danish Academy as a whole.
• Designing weaver junctions with particular attention to tectonic, performance, fabrication and assembly constraints.
• Integrating junction developments within larger digital models.
• Defining and executing a systematic testing campaign to determine the viability of the junctions, following relevant standards.
• Leading report, scientific paper (conference and journal) writing.
• Regular interfacing of insights and developments with the rest of the project team in an iterative and cumulative manner.

Qualifications

As a minimum, you hold a relevant master’s level degree in architecture or equivalent education.

We also expect that you:

• Have prior experience working on medium-term funded research projects.
• Have a track record of participation in scientific writing demonstrated by publication.
• Can demonstrate skilled timber craftsmanship, with particular focus on junctions and detailing.
• Can demonstrate strong competencies with digital modelling and FEM simulation
• Have strong competencies in scripting (C# and/or Python are essential)
• Can demonstrate prior experience in leading research work packages and integrating findings with a broader research team.

What we offer

We offer a creative, dedicated, stimulating and visionary educational and research environment. We value good collegial relationships conducive to mutual inspiration and discourse.



Salary and terms of employment

The terms of pay and employment will be in accordance with the agreement in force between the Danish Ministry of Finance and a number of organisations under the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) for academic staff in public service. A qualification allowance will be negotiable, depending on your skills and experience.

The position will also be filled in accordance with the applicable job structure for artistic and scientific staff at the Royal Danish Academy – Architecture, Design, Conservation; Aarhus School of Architecture and Design School Kolding – Executive Order No. 1190 of 21 August 2023.

The position is a fixed-term appointment that will cease without further notice after 2 years.

This is a full-time position with an average of 37 working hours per week.



Application

Please submit a letter of motivation, an up-to-date CV, academic diplomas and certificates, and documentation of your qualifications as listed above. Any assessment(s) of previous research assistant positions held should also be enclosed.

You should submit your application with attachments online via the “Apply for position” button, to reach the Royal Danish Academy no later than 18 September 2024.

Applications and application documents received after the application deadline will not be considered.

Please note that the position is being advertised and will be filled in accordance with the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science’s “Executive Order of 12 April 2019 on the employment of artistic and scientific staff at the higher artistic educational institutions within the remit of the Ministry of Higher Education and Science”.

After the application deadline, in consultation with the appointments committee, the head of the institute will select applicants for assessment. Applicants will be selected according to an overall assessment of which applicants best meet the criteria set out in this call for applications based on the application documents submitted. In your application, including attachments, please therefore provide evidence that you meet the qualification requirements described in the call for applications. All applicants will then be informed as to whether or not their application will proceed to the next stage of the selection procedure, and those selected will be informed of the composition of the committee. An expert assessment committee will then assess the selected applicants for the given position. Each applicant will be sent their assessment, with an option to submit comments.



Further information

Information regarding qualification requirements, the application process and the e-recruitment system can be obtained on request from HR employee, Ellen Kruse Jacobsen; email: [email protected]; tel.: +45 4170 1539.

Details about the academic content of the position can be obtained on request from Prof. Phil Ayres; email: [email protected]; tel.: +45 4170 1758.

General information about the Royal Danish Academy and the Institute of Architecture and Technology can be found at www.royaldanishacademy.com.

The Royal Danish Academy is an inclusive workplace that considers diversity a strength. We therefore encourage all qualified and interested applicants to apply for the position.



About the Royal Danish Academy

The Royal Danish Academy – Architecture, Design and Conservation is an internationally recognised academy that educates professionally creative graduates to the highest level and develops new knowledge that creates value for society and the labour market. The Royal Danish Academy is a public institution under the Ministry of Higher Education and Science and has approximately 1,700 students and 350 full-time staff equivalents. Read more about the Royal Danish Academy on our website www.royaldanishacademy.com.