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 Faculty of Design Sciences is looking for a full-time (100%) doctoral scholarship holder in the field of architecture, digitalisation and real estate markets.
Do you want to be part of the circular revolution to rethink the way we value the built environment? In order to make our cities more circular, we need to fundamentally revisit the way that we define and quantify the value of our built environment. This fully-funded doctoral project is part of a Marie Sklodowska Curie Action Doctoral Network, QuiVal, a programme funded by the European Union with the aim to develop a fundamentally new approach to real estate valuation, allowing the sector to rapidly transition towards a more sustainable, low carbon and circular future. This will be achieved through a transdisciplinary doctoral training programme across 8 universities and 14 industry partners, and including 13 doctoral candidates who will work, together and separately, to rethink the philosophy, principles and processes of valuation. The programme is transdisciplinary and co-produced by leading academics and practitioners who are passionate and knowledgeable about the real estate industry and about sustainability.
Position
- You will work actively on the preparation and defence of a PhD thesis on the impact of digitalisation on the real estate market dynamics.
- The doctoral project (QuiVal research project 5b) addresses the digital expansion of valuation. Decentralised ledger technologies and blockchain have the potential to organize transparent and equitable supply and demand for housing solutions. Platforms such as AirBnB prove the potential of innovative digital tools in influencing trading dynamics and providing alternative models. Through blockchain or similar technology development and prototyping, this project aims to promote transparency, efficiency, equitability and accountability in real estate transactions by reducing transactions costs arising in particular from intermediaries and fraud.
- You will publish scientific articles related to the research project and an accessible report for real estate professionals.
Profile
- You hold a Master degree in digitalization, architectural engineering, smart buildings, smart cities, urban engineering or big data or you will have obtained it by the time you start work.
- You can demonstrate excellent study results and have skills in mixed research methods;
- You have good communicative and entrepreneurial skills, and an independent attitude paired with an ability to work in a research team
- Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision.
- Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
- You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
- Affinity with the design of new approaches and an open mind to stretch the imagination of its application are a considered a benefit!
- ability to code or willingness to learn to code in the computer languages python, javascript or typescript and solidity
- A genuine interest in the digitalization in the architecture-engineering-construction and real estate industry
- Candidates may not have a doctorate and may not have lived in Belgium for more than 1 year in the last 3 years.
What we offer
- We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of one year. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed for another two years.
- The planned start date is 1 February 2025 (preferred) or no later than March 1, 2025.
- Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for Contract Research Staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
- You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
- You will do most of your work at Campus Mutsaard in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
- Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.
Want to apply?
- You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including Sept. 12, 2024 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments:
- a motivation letter
- your academic CV
- a brief research proposal (2 pages excluding reference) and a writing sample
- For an overview of all the vacancies of QuiVal, see https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/search?f%5B0%5D=keywords%3AQuiVal
- This vacancy follows the recruitment procedures of QuiVal, which are set up in compliance to the MSCA doctoral network recruitment rules from the European Commission, most notably the mobility and eligibility of the Doctoral Candidates.
- The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. If you are still eligible after the pre-selection, you will be informed about the possible next step(s) in the selection procedure. Please note the following dates in your calendar for interviews: 23 and 24 september 2024.
- If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Theo Dounas (Theo.Dounas@uantwerpen.be), Lara Schrijver (Lara.Schrijver@uantwerpen.be) or Eleni Papadonikolaki (E.Papadonikolaki@tudelft.nl)
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.