项目介绍

2025年3月5日

Job description

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15.000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities.

With its 11 faculties and more than 85 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

For the Theory and History of Architecture Research Group, we are looking for a m/f/x

Doctoral fellow

YOUR JOB

• You will spend at least 90% of your assignment on academic research (own research work, and collaborations with other researchers) in view of realizing the goals of a shared research project, and of obtaining a doctoral degree. Up to 10% of your time will be spent to assist in teach activities.
• This architecture historical research is part of the project ‘Integration of Contemporary Architecture in Historical Cities in Belgium (1970-1989). A Revisionist History of Postmodernism in Liège and Bruges through the Mapping of Positions and Debates’ funded by the FWO and FNRS research foundations, and supervised by prof. Maarten Liefooghe (Ghent University) and prof. Wouter Van Acker (Université Libre de Bruxelles, ULB). This job vacancy is for a doctoral researcher position at Ghent University, to investigate (among other things) the case study of Bruges. A separate vacancy will be published for a doctoral researcher position at ULB focused on the case study of Liège.

This project will investigate the segment of postmodern architecture in Liège and Bruges, realized between 1970 and 1989, which sought to reintegrate formally within the historic city center and which took position in the urban revitalization and integral urban conservation programs set in motion in that period through the state funding granted to these two cities. Unlike a number of historical studies that are available on canonical projects in Brussels, which reacted against the so-called “Bruxellisation”, a nuanced study of postmodern architecture in provincial cities such as Liège and Bruges is currently lacking. The case studies selected for this project, designed by architects such as Vivian Desmedt, Jean Francotte, Groep Planning, Eugène Van Assche, Jean Francotte, Bruno Albert, Bernard Herbecq, or Charles Vandenhove were designed and criticized in relation to their surrounding streetscapes and historic urban environments, but a precise analysis of these design intentions, interaction with policies, and critical reception is still to be made. Also the way in which these projects responded to the urban mythology of the “scarred city” of Liège or “Bruges-la-Morte” remains to be studied. By combining recent insights and methods from architectural history and heritage studies, this project proposes an important revision and contribution to the history of postmodern architecture in Belgium and beyond, at a moment in time when many of the key actors involved can still be interviewed and personal archives of the architects mentioned have become available. Because many of the projects were highly contested and part of important public debates on urban preservation and renewal, the project proposes to use the methods and tools of controversy mapping to retrace the history of some of these controversies and to establish a cartography of the multiplicity of positions assumed by the actors in these debates across the fields of restoration, contemporary architecture, adaptive reuse, and experimental urban reconstruction

Job profile

• You hold a Master’s degree (preferably) in Architecture / Engineering: Architecture / Architecture History / Art History.
• You know how to work independently (and to self-motivate), to think and to solve problems, and you can work collaboratively within a team.
• Proven academic writing skills and the ability to effectively present research findings through papers, presentations, and other academic communications.
• You have a good mastery of English (B2) and of Dutch (B2). At least a passive knowledge of French is recommended.
• Experience with architecture historical research (including archival research) and with writing about architecture, urban planning, or architectural heritage, is preferred.
• Also knowledge of postwar architectural history and of architectural postmodernism (in Belgium or in Europe) in particular is a plus.
• You are living in Belgium or are ready to stay in Belgium during the research.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer a full-time position as a doctoral fellow, consisting of an initial period of 12 months, which – after a positive evaluation, will be extended to a total maximum of 48 months.
• Your contract will start on May 1^st 2025 at the earliest.
• The fellowship amount is 100% of the net salary of an AAP member in equal family circumstances. The individual fellowship amount is determined by Team Personnel Administration based on family status and seniority. A grant that meets the conditions and criteria of the regulations for doctoral fellowships is considered free of personal income tax. Click here for more information about our salary scales
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits.

How to apply

Send your CV, copy of your diploma (if already in your possession) and a motivation letter to Prof. Maarten Liefooghe (Maarten.Liefooghe@ugent.be) and to researcher Valentine Masset (Valentine.Masset@ugent.be) in cc. We do not accept late applications.
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Maarten Liefooghe (Maarten.Liefooghe@UGent.be, +32 (0)9/264 37 71).