Research Staff (m/f/d) in the field of Landscape Architecture

 

Nestled in a modern city surrounded by nature and with an exceptional standard of living, Leibniz University Hannover offers excellent working conditions in a vibrant scientific community.

The Institute for Open Space Planning and Design welcomes applications for the following position starting April 1^st, 2025: Research Staff (m/f/d) in the field of Landscape Architecture (salary scale 13 TV-L, 100%)

The fixed-term position is for a duration of 3 years. The focus is research through design and theory work for sustainable and beautiful urban landscapes in the Anthropocene.

Your position

The position is part of the Doctoral Network “LANDLABS - Landscape Laboratories: Design strategies for sustainable and beautiful urban landscapes in the Anthropocene” (funded by the European Commission within the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions). It operates across six landscape laboratories throughout Europe, exploring new perspectives on the interconnectedness between humans, animals, plants, water, air, soil, and technologies. Through an innovative site-based, research-through-design approach, LANDLABS offers young researchers the opportunity to contribute to the critical and urgent issue of the green transition of cities in alignment with the European Green Deal and the United Nations Goals of Sustainability.

As members of LANDLABS, the Doctoral Candidates will receive training in developing new modes of understanding urban landscapes in the Anthropocene and devising new methods to enhance their sustainability and beauty. LANDLABS unites researchers from Leibniz University Hannover, Aarhus School of Architecture, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, University of Ljubljana, University of Porto, TU Wien, and associated partners from municipal planning departments.

All six Doctoral Candidates affiliated with LANDLABS will engage deeply with a specific site in collaboration with the local municipal planning department. These sites are landscapes significantly impacted by human activities and will function as landscape laboratories for exploring new perspectives on interconnectedness and testing design strategies for sustainable and beautiful urban landscapes in the Anthropocene. The PhD fellows are expected to develop and implement design interventions in these landscape laboratories as part of their research.

The doctoral training in LANDLABS is organized into two main phases. In the initial two-year period, each doctoral candidate primarily focuses on their individual landscape laboratory site and related theory. For the candidate at Leibniz University Hannover, this entails an investigation of the industrial urban landscape of Misburg-Anderten and an examination of post-humanist, convivial, and assemblage theories. In the third year, the six PhD fellows collaborate in a virtual PhD lab on joint tasks to develop transferable theory, evaluation criteria, and design strategies for sustainable and beautiful urban landscapes in the Anthropocene. The Doctoral Candidates are required to participate in all joint activities and contribute three papers as part of their dissertation: two individual and one joint.

Who are we looking for?

• The position requires a completed university science degree (master) in landscape architecture or a related design discipline. Additionally, experience with projects dealing with landscapes significantly impacted by human activities will be advantageous.
• Applicants must demonstrate English language skills at the B2 level (CEFR). A working knowledge of the countries language where you apply is also beneficial.
• An application letter describing the applicant’s motivation for the specific project and the doctoral network, along with a portfolio documenting the applicant’s design competencies and a CV, is required as part of the application. Writing examples from thesis, seminar work or other publications could be included.
• In the assessment, emphasis will be placed on the applicant's potential to complete a research education based on the design-related work documented in the application. Additionally, other experiences significant to the completion of the doctoral program may be considered.
• We will also place importance on motivation and personal suitability for the position. We are seeking candidates who possess strong collaboration and communication skills and an interest in working in an international context.
• Applicants must comply with the following mobility rule: the applicant must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting university for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date. This rule is not debatable.

Equal opportunities and diversity are core values at Leibniz University Hannover. Our goal is to tap into individual potential and open up possibilities. We therefore welcome applications from anyone interested in the position, irrespective of gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or ideology, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.

We strive towards a balanced and diverse workforce and a reduction in under-representation in accordance with the Lower Saxony Equal Rights Act (Niedersächsisches Gleichberechtigungsgesetz – NGG). We therefore particularly encourage applications for the above-mentioned position from women. Preference will be given to equally-qualified candidates with disabilities.

Why join us?

• Participation in an engaging research project/doctoral network
• Promising career opportunities
• A stimulating academic environment with dedicated colleagues
• Flexible working hours

With more than 5000 employees, Leibniz University Hannover is one of the largest and most attractive employers in the Hannover region. We offer a vibrant interdisciplinary and international working environment, and promote personal and professional development ranging from subject-related skills to leadership and languages.

As a family-friendly university, working hours can be organised according to various flexible models. Part-time employment as well as remote work (mobile work, work from home) can therefore be arranged upon request. We support employees with balancing work and family life, through services such as back-up childcare, childcare during school holidays, and parent-child offices, as well as providing individual advice regarding family responsibilities and caring for dependants.

To promote health and well-being among employees, we offer an extensive sports programme with over 100 different sports, as well as a fitness centre with a sauna and climbing space. Health management measures, such as courses on stress management, good nutrition and relaxation, aim to ensure a healthy workplace.

 

Additional information

For further information, please contact Herr Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Prominski (Tel. +49 (0)511 762-5527, Email: martin.prominski@freiraum.uni-hannover.de). Information about the institute can be found on the Internet at: www.freiraum.uni-hannover.de  

Your application should include:

• A letter of application explaining your motivation (maximum two pages)
• A portfolio documenting design competency (maximum five projects/twelve pages, including the master’s thesis)
• Writing samples (maximum five pages)
• A CV (max. two pages)
• Diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees
• Transcripts of grades/academic records for bachelor's and master's degrees
• An explanation of the grading system for foreign education (Diploma Supplement if available)
• Documentation of English language skills at the B2 level (CEFR)
• Documentation of proficiency in German and other languages
• Please indicate whether you have applied to other partners within the LANDLABS consortium and, if so, where

All documentation to be considered must be in English.

Please submit your application until November 30^th, 2024 electronically to