Senior academic staff in the field of engineering and performance assessment of smart buildings

Let's shape the future - University of Antwerp

The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape.

The Department of Civil Engineering Technology in the Faculty of Applied Engineering has the following part-time (50%) vacancy:

Senior Academic Staff in the field of engineering and performance assessment of smart buildings

Position

As a member of the Senior Academic Staff (Dutch: Zelfstandig Academisch Personeel, ZAP), you will contribute to the University of Antwerp's three core tasks: education (20%), research (20%) and services (10%). Your role may also include organisational and managerial aspects.

Education

• You will provide high-quality education in the area of sustainable building.
• Your teaching role will evolve along with the study programmes and language certificates obtained. The courses you will teach in the bachelor's programme of Civil Engineering Technology may include 4-Building Physics, 5-Energy Performance of Buildings: Engineering and Certification and 6-Sustainable Energy Transition of Buildings and Neighbourhoods.
• You will play a role in developing activating, student-centred and competence-driven programme components and study programmes.
• You will supervise students and their Bachelor and Master dissertations.

Research

• You will expand high-quality scientific research in the field of engineering and performance assessment of smart buildings and neighbourhoods. This also includes interactions between buildings and their users and the integration of smart buildings into sustainable neighbourhoods and energy networks. You will combine academic expertise in building physics and numerical simulations with knowledge about construction and renovation techniques and building automation in order to develop innovative assessment strategies and holistic decision-making methodologies for various stakeholders.
• You will initiate new lines of research and coordinate the progress of scientific research projects. You will also participate in ongoing research programmes.
• You will acquire and manage national and international research funding.
• You will publish in international journals and specialist literature.
• You will develop an international scientific network.
• You will supervise PhD students and postdoctoral researchers.

Services

• You will play a role in the provision of both academic services and service to society, within the institution and externally. You will participate in student recruitment, boards and committees, popular science communication, and so on.

Organisation and leadership

• You will accept coordinating responsibilities in the areas of education, research and/or services and you will contribute to policy.
• Your leadership style will be motivating and coaching. You will be attentive to your employees' growth and development processes.

Profile

• You hold a PhD in building physics / energy assessment of buildings.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies. You have established an excellent research portfolio including projects with national and international partners, a strong international professional network and publications in scientific journals, research reports, policy advice/regulations and popularizing media.
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp's educational vision. You are motivated to develop your teaching skills further through the professionalisation opportunities available. Proven experience and didactic expertise are highly appreciated.
• If you do not speak Dutch, the administrative language of the university, you should be willing to obtain a CEFR B2 level of proficiency in Dutch. Your teaching duties are in the mainly Dutch-taught bachelor's and master's programme. As soon as you take on teaching duties as a programme component coordinator, you should be able to demonstrate a CEFR C1 level of proficiency in the language of instruction. The University of Antwerp supports international staff members through an integration trajectory and offers tailor-made language coaching in compliance with Flanders' statutory language regulations.
• You demonstrate leadership potential and organisational skills. Experience in this area is an asset.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• You have extensive knowledge of building physics and are adept at using advanced numerical dynamic energy and comfort simulations for buildings and neighbourhoods.
• You have knowledge and experience in developing toolchains to automate numerical building simulations and the processing of large amounts of data.
• You have expertise in the Flemish energy performance regulations, the EPC and EPB calculation methodology and EPB3G software. You are familiar with regional, national and European policies and regulations regarding energy assessment of buildings, smart buildings and energy flexibility.

What we offer

• We offer a part-time appointment as a member of the Senior Academic Staff for a period of 3 years. Following a positive evaluation, the appointment can be renewed. The level of your appointment (assistant professor, associate professor, professor or full professor) is determined on the basis of your professional experience and academic qualifications.
• Your gross monthly salary is calculated according to the pay scales for Senior Academic Staff (ZAP) and calculated proportionally on the basis of your employment percentage.
• You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• The planned start date is 1 September 2025 or as soon as possible after that date.
• You will do most of your work at Campus Groenenborger in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp's online job application platform up to and including 17 April 2025 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on 'apply', complete the online application form and don't forget to include the following documents: (1) your motivation letter, (2) the completed job application appendix for ZAP, (3) your academic CV.
• The selection committee will review all of the applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure. Please make a note of the following dates: the assessment centre will take place between 21 May 2025 and 28 May 2025. The interview with sample lesson will be held between 10 June 2025 and 13 June 2025.

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission's HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees' growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.

Title

Senior academic staff in the field of engineering and performance assessment of smart buildings

Application Deadline: 2025-04-17 23:59 (Europe/Brussels)