The Royal Danish Academy – Architecture, Design, Conservation invites applications for a fully funded 3-year PhD position focusing on Dynamic Modelling for Creative Biofabrication, with a strong emphasis on didactics, teaching tools, and pedagogical modelling frameworks. The PhD is aimed at developing novel ways for master-level students (architecture, design, engineering, and related fields) to better understand, simulate, and interface with biofabrication processes in the context of the built environment.



Framework

The PhD scholarship is based at the Institute of Architecture and Technology at The Royal Danish Academy and has the aim to bridge biofabrication and the built environment through dynamic modelling, with a didactic orientation. Biofabrication—encompassing processes such as microbial growth, mycelium-based systems, bio-based composites, and living materials—poses significant representational and modelling challenges for architectural and design education. These systems are dynamic, multiscalar, and temporally driven, and thus difficult to represent using conventional static models and drawings.

The PhD research will focus on the development of conceptual, computational, and physical teaching tools that make complex biological processes accessible, intuitive, and creatively explorable for master-level students with limited or no biological background.

Rather than advancing biological science itself, the PhD emphasises modeling as a pedagogical interface—supporting design thinking, experimentation, and decision-making when working with living systems in architectural and environmental contexts.

The PhD project is set out to start as soon as possible.



Research Focus Areas

The PhD will explore several of the following themes:

• Dynamic and time-based modelling of biofabrication processes (growth, decay, adaptation, interaction, feedback loops)

• Development of didactic models (digital, physical, hybrid) for architectural and design education

• Computational representations of biological behaviour tailored for non-biologists

• Linking biological agency to architectural form, performance, and materiality

• Interfaces between simulation, experimentation, and fabrication

• Biofabrication within a built environment and sustainability context

The candidate is expected to position modelling not only as an analytical tool, but as a creative and pedagogical medium.



Methodological Approach

The project welcomes interdisciplinary and exploratory methods, potentially including:

• Computational modelling and simulation (e.g. agent-based, system dynamics, parametric models)

• Prototyping of teaching tools, diagrams, and interfaces

• Design research and research-by-design methods

• Pedagogical experimentation within master-level teaching environments

• Qualitative evaluation of learning outcomes and student interaction with tools

The PhD will be embedded in a research environment based in Copenhagen (Chair for Biohybrid Architecture) and an active teaching environment based in Kalundborg (the creative biofabrication specialisation of the Spatial Ecologies master programme). The PhD is expected to contribute directly to curriculum development, studio teaching, on-going research activities, collaborative initiatives within Campus Kalundborg and the Biosolutions Zealand 3 – Vejen til fremtidens kompetencer project. Travel between the Royal Danish Academy’s different location thus take place on a regular basis.



Candidate Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with:

• A Master’s degree equivalent to a Danish Master’s degree (120 ECTS) within Architecture, Design, Engineering, Computational Design, Digital Fabrication, or a related field.

• Strong interest in biofabrication, living systems, and built environment applications

• Experience with, or curiosity for, computational modelling and simulation

• A clear interest in teaching, pedagogy, and didactic tool development

• Ability to work across disciplines and communicate complex ideas visually and conceptually

A biology centred educational or research background is not a prerequisite for the position, but prior relevant experience of cross-disciplinary engagement and working with biological concepts in design contexts is essential.

If educational degrees have been obtained abroad, the education must be assessed by the Danish Agency for International Education before enrolment and employment can take place. The Royal Danish Academy will assist with the assessment process if selected for the scholarship. Practical information can be found at http://ufm.dk/en/education-and-institutions/recognition-andtransparency/recognition-guide.



Terms of Employment

Enrolment takes place with a view to obtaining a PhD degree and leads to salaried fulltime employment for a period of three years in accordance with the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations, AC, protocol on graduate fellowships (annex 5). The salary consists of a seniority-based base salary and a non-pensionable allowance.

The place of work will be Copenhagen, with frequent travel activity to Kalundborg.

The PhD program is structured under the provisions of Ministerial Order on the PhD Program at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions (PhD Order) no. 1039 of 27 August 2013 issued by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Higher Education regarding PhD programs and PhD degrees. This executive order is found at https://ufm.dk/en/legislation/prevailing-laws-and-regulations/education/files/engelsk-ph-d-bekendtgorelse.pdf

The Danish PhD education is a three-year full-time education consisting of independent research under supervision, 30 ECTS PhD courses, shift of research environment and knowledge dissemination (840 hours).



Application Requirements

Applications must be submitted in English and include:

• A motivated project proposal (max. 5 standard pages) that sets out a theoretical, conceptual, and methodological framework for the proposed research. The proposal must clearly articulate the research problem, objectives, research questions, proposed methods, proposed modes of evaluation, methods of dissemination and expected contributions. Particular attention must be paid to the didactic and pedagogical dimensions of dynamic modelling in creative biofabrication.

• Timetable for the proposed project (max. 1 page).

• Curriculum vitae

• Educational diplomas

• Portfolio of relevant work and studies

• List of publications (if applicable)

Please submit application online via the “Apply for position” button no later than 10 June 2026, 12. p.m. (noon). For further information about the application requirements, please contact HR Employee Sine Kildevang Madsen by e-mail at skmad@kglakademi.dk.

Application material received after the deadline will not be taken into consideration.

Anyone who meets the requirement of an academic degree at a graduate level is encouraged to apply for the scholarship regardless of age, gender, race, religion, or ethnicity.



Assessment procedure

The scholarship is advertised in accordance with the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science’s “Executive Order of 12 April 2019 on the employment of artistic and scientific staff at the higher artistic educational institutions within the remit of the Ministry of Higher Education and Science”.

After the application deadline, in consultation with the appointment committee, the head of the institute will select a number of applicants for academic assessment by an unbiased expert committee. Applicants are selected on the basis of which applicants are found by the appointment committee to best meet the overall criteria set out in this call.

All applicants will be informed as to whether or not their application will proceed to the next stage of the selection procedure, and those selected will be informed of the composition of the expert committee. The expert committee will the assess the selected applicants for the scholarship with focus on the abovementioned research area, techniques, skills and requirements. The committee will conclude whether each applicant is qualified. The assessed applicants will get opportunity to comment on their assessment.

After the assessment process the appointment committee will decide amongst the qualified applicants to whom the scholarship should be offered. The appointment committee can choose to interview one or more of the qualified applicants.



Further Information

General information about PhD studies at The Royal Danish Academy can be found on the PhD School’s website: https://royaldanishacademy.com/en/phd-and-research-school



About The Royal Danish Academy

The Royal Danish Academy – Architecture, Design and Conservation educates graduates at the highest level and develops new knowledge through artistic and scientific research. The academy is internationally recognised for its work in architecture, design, and material practices, and plays an active role in shaping sustainable futures within the built environment.

The Royal Danish Academy is a public institution under the Ministry of Higher Education and Science and has approximately 1,700 students and 350 full-time staff equivalents. Read more about the Royal Danish Academy on our website www.royaldanishacademy.com.