Professor of History and Theory of Landscape Architecture and Urbanism
Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management
Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen

The Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, invites applications for a professor of history and theory of landscape architecture and urbanism. The position aims at further developing and strengthening the history and theory of architecture, cities and landscapes from the 19th century until today. Special focus is on the legacy of the 20th century urbanisation and how critical, historical, and theoretical perspectives can contribute to building more just, sustainable, and diverse spatial practices for the future. The position should also help strengthening design students’ understanding of their field as a historically informed cultural activity as well as their skills as reflexive designers. We are thus looking for research and educational capacities that respond to the needs of deepening the cultural and historical aspects of a design and planning field that increasingly requires self-reflective designers who are aware of the complex and intertwined social and ecological crises of today. The position is placed in the Section for Landscape Architecture and Planning - Society and connected to the research group for Landscape Architecture and Urbanism and/or Landscape Architecture and Urban History, groups that bridge design and humanities and are situated within an interdisciplinary research environment.

As an applicant, you must have an academic background that bridges humanities and design. You must have significant experience with and an academic standing within the history and theory of architecture, landscape architecture and cities. You must have an international research profile and strong teaching experiences within this field focusing on relations between past-present-future from a current day perspective. We expect you to address contemporary societal challenges such as climate change, loss of biodiversity or resource depletion as well as social and democratic challenges of landscape architecture and urbanism with knowledge, research and teaching from history and theory.

In addition, we prefer a candidate with competences in the following fields:

• History and theory of architecture, cities and landscapes from the 19th century up until the present with special focus on 20th century heritage and/or urbanisation
• Contemporary perspectives on history and theory relating to the pressing challenges of today’s cities and landscapes
• Societal outreach and engagement, e.g. public scholarship or collaboration outside academia
• Teaching across history, theory, and design studio
• Innovative research leadership and knowledge creation

As full professor, you are expected to be an internationally recognized researcher that has contributed to the debate on cultural aspects of design practices. You should have demonstrated good ability for attracting national and international research funding as well as having experience with research leadership, including mentoring of early career researchers.

Besides conducting own research, you are expected to drive and inspire the development of the research field, initiate and conduct significant research applications and explore the cross disciplinary potential within the department and the University of Copenhagen. The successful applicant must also teach, supervise, prepare and participate in examinations, conduct assessment tasks, grant applications, and research management such as supervision and training of research fellows and other staff. Further, you must take a responsible role in constructive implementation of department strategies, wellbeing and collaboration at the department, take part in department forums, committees and working groups and initiate and take part in related scientific and social events. Specifically, it is expected that a close collaboration with researchers in landscape architecture, urbanism and planning is established and maintained.

Applicants are required to have university level teaching experience, documented teaching competencies and must be able to explain and reflect upon own teaching practice and portfolio. Formal pedagogical training or supervision equivalent to the University of Copenhagen teacher training programme for assistant professors is required. Moreover, you are expected to have shown leadership in developing educational activities within the research fields.

Assessment of applicants will primarily consider their level of documented, original scientific production at an international level, including contributions to developments in their field, as well as their documented teaching qualifications. Managerial and out-reach qualifications of applicants including ability to attract external funding will also be considered.

Six overall criteria apply for professor appointments at the University of Copenhagen. The six criteria (research, teaching, societal impact, organisational contribution, external funding and leadership) are considered a framework for an overall assessment of the candidates. Furthermore, each candidate must be assessed according to the specific requirements stated in the job advertisement.
Please read more at https://jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-videnskabelige-stillinger/dokumenter-til-meritering/5c_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-professors.pdf .

Your work place will be the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management (IGN), which conducts research and education on the past, present and future physical, chemical and biological environments of the Earth and their interactions with societal and human systems to provide candidates and research in support of sustainable future solutions for society. We value scientific interactions among colleagues, cross-disciplinary interactions and care for the early career scientists. Further information on the Department is linked at http://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/.

Inquiries about the position can be made to Head of Department Vivian Kvist Johannsen [email protected].

The position is open from 1 January 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Terms of employment
The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

The application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

• Curriculum vitae including information about external funding
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Research plan – description of current and future research plans
• Description and documentation of teaching experience and qualifications according to university guidelines
• Complete publication list
• Separate reprints of 5 particularly relevant papers
• Up to 5 pages portfolio with samples of own and collaborative work within societal engagement, research leadership and knowledge creation

The deadline for applications is 7 August 2024, 23:59 GMT +2.

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews will be held on 2 December 2024.

Please refer to the following no. in future communication in this case: 211-0277/24-2K.

Kilde: Jobnet.dk