Assistant professor (tenure track) in Human geography and/or sustainable urban and regional planning

Introduction

The University of Lausanne is a Higher Education research institution composed of seven faculties where approximately 17,000 students and nearly 5,000 research, teaching and technical staff work and study. Ideally situated along Lake Geneva, near Lausanne’s city center, its campus brings together over 120 nationalities.

Presentation

The Faculty of Geosciences and the Environment (FGSE) of the University of Lausanne invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position inHuman geography and/or sustainable urban and regional planning (tenure at the Associate Professor level), to be based at the Institute of Geography and Sustainability (IGD).

Cities and regions are key drivers in the transition towards a sustainable future. We are looking for candidates with expertise in urban and regional development and, with an interest in public policies aimed at reducing the ecological footprint and promoting social/environmental justice. The successful candidate will be expected to engage with key issues characterizing urban and regional development in terms of public policy (e.g., spatial planning, densification, housing, real estate, local development dynamics) and/or processes (e.g., exclusion, multi-level governance, participation, negotiation, conflict and experimentation) in relation to sustainability debates. An interest in topics relevant to the Swiss context and a contribution to future national and local debates are desirable. A specialist in these issues is sought to develop and complement the research and teaching offer in urban and regional planning, within the IGD, the FGSE and UNIL’s Interdisciplinary Centers.

Information

Appointment will be at Assistant Professor level (tenure track, tenure at the Associate Professor level). However, we will consider outstanding candidates for direct appointment at Associate Professor level, particularly if this corresponds to our equal opportunity objectives.

Starting date : 1st of August, 2024 (or to be agreed upon)

Contract length : 2 years renewable twice (6 years). Tenure to the rank of Associate Professor expected after 5-6 years.

Activity rate : 100%

Workplace : University of Lausanne (Geopolis building)

Your responsibilities

The successful candidate is expected to i) develop a competitive and partly externally funded research agenda within the Institute of Geography and Sustainability, ii) teach geography courses at BSc and MSc levels, and iii) supervise bachelor, master, and doctoral students.

Your qualifications

A PhD in a relevant area at the date of appointment is required and postdoctoral experience is expected. Candidates should demonstrate a capacity and/or willingness to undertake high quality research, to engage with national and international research networks, to secure research funding, and to publish in peer-reviewed international journals. A demonstrated potential for teaching and for supervising master and doctoral dissertations is required. If French is not the native language, teaching ability in French must be acquired within two years of the appointment.

What the position offers you

The FGSE offers excellent working conditions. It consists of three research institutes (Earth Sciences, Geography and Sustainability, and Earth Surface Dynamics) and a School that manages teaching. It employs 50 professors, over 10 senior lecturers, 200 PhD students and post-docs, and more than 60 technical staff. The FGSE specifically promotes interdisciplinary research and teaching, within and between the social and natural sciences. We offer a competitive start-up package and long-term support in terms of two internally funded PhD positions.

More on Careers at Unil

Contact for further information

Other useful information is available on the websites of the Faculty (www.unil.ch/gse) and the Institute of Geography and Sustainability (www.unil.ch/igd).

For further information, contact the Chair of the selection committee: Niklas Linde, Dean of the FGSE (niklas.linde@unil.ch).

Your application

Application deadline: January 15, 2024(23:59 Swiss time GMT+1).

The PDF application must be split into several files not larger than 9.9 MB and can only be submitted through this website.Thank you for your understanding.

Your application should include:

• a cover letter explaining your motivation and how you meet the criteria for this position (max. 1 page);
• your Curriculum Vitae, including previous employment and university training, the date and title of your doctoral thesis (max. 2 pages);
• your list of publications;
• a research statement, describing your past major achievements and the research you intend to develop (max. 4 pages);
• a teaching statement, describing your teaching approach, your intentions for teaching and potential contributions to our teaching programs (max. 2 pages);
• EDI (equity, diversity, and inclusion) statement (max. 1 page);
• list and links to your three most significant publications and a statement on your personal contribution to each;
• the names and contact information of three to four referees.

Additional information

The University of Lausanne is committed to promoting gender equality and diversity and strongly encourages applications from female candidates. The FGSE’s strategy regarding equality, diversity and inclusion, specifically with respect to the recruitment of professors, is described in Appendix C of the FGSE’s action plan in favor of equal opportunities. The University has also implemented many measures to facilitate the life for parents/guardians of young children, including on campus childcare.The Faculty of Geosciences and Environment of the University of Lausanne adheres to the DORA agreement and follows its guidelines in the evaluation of applications.