SpACE Lab at ISU – Institute for Sustainable Urbanism offers a position as Research Associate at the Research Group “ReSpace! – Connected Response-able Spaces and Infrastructures for Sustainable Living”.

The newly established ReSpace! research group is a cutting-edge initiative at Technische Universität Braunschweig, bringing together a vibrant, interdisciplinary team committed to rethinking space and spatial reconfiguration in response to climate change, resource shortages, societal and environmental transformations. ReSpace! is funded by zukunft.niedersachsen, a funding programme of the Ministry of Science and Culture of Lower Saxony (MWK) and VolkswagenStiftung, as part of TU Braunschweig’s project “Ecoversity – Collaborative space for change”. Professor Vanessa Miriam Carlow, director of SpACE Lab at ISU – Institute for Sustainable Urbanism is speaker of ReSpace!.

We are looking for a (d/f/m) researcher who is highly team-oriented, cooperative, excited to work in a highly interdisciplinary context, and ambitious with view to own goals, but also the overall research ambition of the ReSpace! -team. As a Research Associate within the subproject “Response-able Spatialities – Sustainable Space Types and Dynamics” you will engage in the design of radically new spatial futures that respond to climate risks, resource scarcity, and systemic transformation. Central to your role is the development of speculative architectural and urban design prototypes that explore “response-able” spatial configurations across scales. You will work at the intersection of visionary design and scientific inquiry, contributing to a long-term spatial foresight framework.

The aim of ReSpace! is to advance an integrated understanding of how spatial infrastructures and typologies can be transformed for climate adaptation – addressing resource constraints and societal demands in the complex interplay of global and local impacts. Building on cross-disciplinary collaboration between architecture and urban design, the humanities, social and natural sciences, and engineering, the group will co-design, narrate, simulate, and evaluate innovative solutions for future sustainable living in the context of climate change and resource scarcity. Partnering with actors – cities, municipalities, NGOs, non-university research institutions and industry – ReSpace! focuses not only on developing spatial role models, but also on transferring knowledge to regional and institutional stakeholders. ReSpace! lies at the intersection of two of the four of the TU Braunschweig’s core research areas Future City and Mobility.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• To cooperate with researchers from other fields within the ReSpace! Research Group
• To submit your dissertation within the duration of the contract
• To (co-)author publications and conference contributions
• Regular presentations of interim results of the doctorate and further contributions to academic research through presentations, conference participations, and publications.
• Participation and active involvement in the ReSpace! research, graduate study programme, and joint activities.

• We are looking for a first-class graduate of architecture and/or urban design (MA degree or equivalent) with expertise in the ReSpace!-addressed PhD subjects, excellent design skills, high desire to learn and cooperate in a highly interdisciplinary context
• The activities of ReSpace! will be conducted in both German and English. A very good command of English is required; knowledge of German or the willingness to learn it are advantageous.
• High interest in inter- and transdisciplinary exchange and willingness to cooperate, combined with communication skills on a high level.
• Profound methodological knowledge and research experience as well as a passion and ability for academic writing.
• International experience is advantageous.
• Willingness and skills to work independently and in an interdisciplinary team, as well as with partners from outside of academia.

• An inspiring institutional and multidisciplinary setting. A vibrant campus life in an international atmosphere with lots of intercultural offers and international cooperations.
• Opportunity for gaining ample experience in inter-and transdisciplinary research contributing to a more resilient future.
• Advancement and support through a project-wide network of early career researchers
• The ReSpace! - a joint work space for the doctoral researchers to foster real cooperation
• Applied research in a young, interdisciplinary team; focusing on current global challenges.
• An inspiring working environment and excellent research infrastructures as part of the TU Braunschweig Ecoversity community of researchers, teachers, students.
• Vivid, interdisciplinary and international Graduate School, offering scientific support for early career researchers, offerings from personnel development department and sports activities.
• An international, interdisciplinary scientific network.
• Participation in Ecoversity activities and networks

We welcome applicants of all nationalities. At the same time, we encourage people with severe disabilities to apply. Applications from severely disabled persons will be given preference if they are equally qualified. Please attach a proof of disability to your application. We are also working on the fulfilment of the Central Equality Plan based on the Lower Saxony Equal Rights Act (Niedersächsisches Gleichberechtigungsgesetz—NGG) and strive to reduce under-representation in all areas and positions as defined by the NGG. Therefore, applications from women are particularly welcome in this case.

We look forward to receiving your application. Please include a cover letter, letter of motivation, letter of recommendation or reference (at least one academic reference and one previous employer), resume and comprehensive documents including a portfolio. Please do also share a text example. Please send your application indicating the Job ID “ReSpace-PhD” in a single PDF file by August 17, 2025 to respace@tu-braunschweig.de. The interviews are scheduled for September 2-3, 2025.

The personal data will be stored for the purpose of processing the application. By submitting your application, you agree that your data may be stored and processed electronically for application purposes in compliance with the provisions of data protection law. Further information on data protection can be found in our data protection regulations at www.tu-braunschweig.de/datenschutzerklaerung-bewerbungen. Application costs and expenses incurred in attending interviews cannot be reimbursed.

CONTACT
Technische Universität Braunschweig
SpACE Lab at ISU – Institute for Sustainable Urbanism
Prof. Dr. Vanessa Miriam Carlow
Mühlenpfordtstraße 23, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
respace@tu-braunschweig.de
+49 531 391-3537

www.tu-braunschweig.de/respace
www.spacelab-isu.org