At the moment we are looking for:
Living Station Lab Instructors (0,4 FTE)
Deadline: Apply before February 7, 2024, here
The Willem de Kooning Academy is a leading international academy for bachelor and master programmes in media, art, design, leisure and art education. WdKA's mission and vision are to develop new ideas about the relevance of the artist, educator, producer or designer and to help our students become the artistic professionals who will respond to tomorrow's world with critical vision, energy and care. Our education is distinguished by three pillars: majors, practices and the very unique stations, focused on research through making. This encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and gives our students the opportunity to become proficient in both their profession and the context in which they will work. In addition to this, research is an important pillar. With approximately 400 colleagues, WdKA educates more than 2,500 students.
About the Living Stations Lab
The Living Station Lab is a research laboratory and learning environment with facilities and technologies to investigate, make and collaborate with ‘living’ and biological systems and support bio- art and design practices. The intersection of art, design, and biology provides a fertile ground for creative exploration and critical reflection on the relationship between humans, nature, and technology.
We have microscopes, a sterile bio cabinet, incubators, an autoclave and all the materials to work safely in the lab. Here students can do research and explore different (living) materials and ecosystems (plants, mycelium, soil, waste streams, species on a microlevel, etc.)
On the one hand the Living Stations Lab is a place to explore different techniques and to create (bio)materials like bioplastics, fabrics from waste streams and materials yet to be defined. On the other hand, it aims to be a learning environment in which research and collaboration is encouraged with living (eco)systems outside the school. The goal is to address and translate complex issues regarding climate change, ecology, and biodiversity through working with tangible (local) challenges. To do so we seek collaboration with local partners and educational programs within RUAS (Rotterdam University of Applied Science).
What are you going to do?
The Living Station Lab instructor is responsible for the lab and inventory so that students can make the best possible use of the facilities. The instructor provides practical group instructions on the use of the devices, takes care of the purchase of materials and equipment, and guides students with practical help for their individual questions.
As an instructor you:
- Are responsible for the purchase of materials and supplies for the lab.
- Provide basic instruction classes on the use of the devices and facilities.
- Give basic instruction classes on biomaterials and microscopy.
- Develop working protocols for students to work safely with machinery and equipment.
- Guide and support students with individual projects and in the realisation of their work in the lab.
- Collaborate with and support tutors and external experts in guiding our students.
- Develop blended and hybrid forms of education, thus enabling students to find support and become acquainted with the Living Station Lab before or after they have been introduced to the space.
- Create content with students on the living stations webpage connected to the MyWdKA intranet.
Are you who we are looking for?
We are looking for two passionate, curious, and enthusiastic colleagues who will be actively in keeping up with new developments in the broad field of bio-art and design and are able to implement these developments in practice. We are looking for colleagues who like to collaborate and think beyond boundaries: boundaries between disciplines, and between materials. The Biolab will serve as an incubator and as a model for collaboration and production that is in line with the future vision of the WdKA: a sustainable future.
You are a maker who works within the broad scope of biodesign/bio-art, is curious and interested in these developments, and is eager to contribute to the development of this new field. You have a broad professional knowledge in basic and advances techniques related to this topic, which will be disseminated through instruction classes and other educational content.
- You show good communication skills and social skills.
- You like to work in an organised, clean, and structured way and can work independently on tasks.
- You are working within the field of bioart- and design, it is a plus if you have built up a relevant professional network.
- You have a basic understanding of biological and chemical processes and a relevant demonstrable expertise and a clear understanding of working with biomaterials, for example working with waste materials and living organisms (e.g. fungal mycelium).
- You have experience with material development, research (using techniques such as microscopy) and are familiar with specific machinery such as heat presses and with processes such as treating (cellulose-based) fibres.
- You are interested in working in a team within project-based educational formats: also, you are independent and result-oriented, and show a proactive attitude.
- You can create a stimulating learning environment, and can motivate and generate enthusiasm among students.
- Your level of working and thinking is relevant to higher professional education (completed HBO education).
- You have a clear motivation and affinity with education; you can communicate, and share and transfer knowledge, in both Dutch and English.
What we offer
Hogeschool Rotterdam offers a temporary employment contract (D4 cao hbo) of one year. Depending on experience, the salary amounts to a minimum of €3,370 and a maximum of €4,582.91 gross per month (scale 9 cao hbo) for full-time employment, excluding vacation allowance and year-end bonus. Our secondary benefits include good training opportunities, including unlimited access to stations for professionalization, and an attractive pension plan. In addition, we offer a good work-life balance through more than 50 days off per year for full-time employment.
Want to apply?
We ask you to include a link to your portfolio with your CV and motivation. The procedure consists of 2 phases. First there is a selection based on CV, motivation and portfolio, after which interviews will take place.
More information about the content of the vacancy can be requested from Aldje van Meer, senior lecturer of the stations and the knowledge center, a.van.meer@hr.nl
We aim at diversity and recruiting colleagues from groups currently underrepresented in our education. We give preference to a candidate who strengthens the diversity within our team in case of equal suitability.
Being able to provide a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) is a condition of employment as well as a valid EU work permit if you are from outside the EU.
Closing date: February 7, 2024. Apply here.
Applications can only be made through our own website.
Please do not use this vacancy as an acquisition opportunity.
