Job Category/Programme: Academic
Description
This appointment is conceived as a strategic academic leadership role with primary responsibility for the intellectual, pedagogical, and programmatic leadership of the BA (Hons) Biophilic Design programme. It is not intended as a conventional teaching-only appointment, but as a critical hire to shape, lead, and advance one of the Academy’s distinctive undergraduate programmes at the intersection of design, ecology, wellbeing, and more-than-human futures.
The Programme Lead is expected to operate as a thought leader, curriculum steward, and practice-led innovator, providing vision and direction for the programme while ensuring academic excellence, relevance, and impact. The role carries a high degree of ownership and agency, requiring proactive leadership in curriculum development, industry engagement, research, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
The appointee will be instrumental in positioning BA Biophilic Design as a leading programme in the region, aligned with emerging socio-ecological challenges, contemporary design practice, and global discourses on sustainability, wellbeing, and environmental intelligence.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Programme Leadership & Academic Direction
- Provide academic and strategic leadership for the BA (Hons) Biophilic Design programme, including stewardship of its vision, identity, and long-term development
- Lead programme planning, review, and enhancement to ensure continued relevance to:
- Biophilic and more-than-human design
- Socio-ecological and environmental thinking
- Wellbeing, health, and regenerative futures
- Champion a distinctive programme direction that integrates critical theory, studio-based experimentation, and real-world interventions
- Ensure coherence and progression across modules, learning outcomes, assessment frameworks, and graduate attributes
- Represent the programme internally and externally, contributing to School-level and institutional initiatives and planning
- Teaching & Curriculum Delivery
- Take responsibility for the design, delivery, and assessment of undergraduate modules within the BA programme, including studio, seminar, and research-based learning
- Deliver approximately 20 contact hours per week, demonstrating strong pedagogical competence and leadership in studio teaching
- Facilitate practice-led, project-based learning grounded in Context–Concept–Craft approaches
- Guide students in design research, conceptual development, material experimentation, and spatial or systems-based design outcomes
- Monitor and support students’ learning progress, performance, attendance, and academic development
- Provide academic advising, career guidance, and pastoral care, with strong empathy for student wellbeing
- Curriculum Development & Quality Assurance
- Lead and contribute to curriculum development, validation, and review processes in alignment with institutional frameworks and external benchmarks
- Develop and update teaching materials that reflect:
- Emerging developments in biophilic design and environmental practice
- Socio-ecological and interdisciplinary perspectives
- Regional and Southeast Asian contexts
- Contribute to programme documentation, quality assurance, and accreditation-related requirements
- Maintain accurate academic records relating to student performance and progression
- Research, Practice & Thought Leadership
- Maintain an active profile as an interdisciplinary designer-academic with a track record of:
- Practice-based research
- Scholarly publications and/or creative outputs
- Impactful professional practice
- Advance research and practice in areas such as:
- Biophilic design and environmental wellbeing
- More-than-human and socio-ecological design
- Spatial practices for health, community, and ecological resilience
- Contribute to building a strong research culture within the programme, school and the Academy through mentorship, collaboration, and knowledge exchange
- Align research and practice activities with national, regional, and international priorities where appropriate
- Industry, Partnerships & External Engagement
- Establish and sustain strong industry, institutional, and community partnerships relevant to biophilic design and allied fields
- Initiate and support:
- Live projects and industry briefs
- Collaborative research and applied design initiatives
- Exhibitions, field studies, workshops, and public programmes
- Organise and curate guest lectures, seminars, conferences, exhibitions, and academic events that enhance programme visibility and learning outcomes
- Build regional and international networks that strengthen the programme’s reputation and impact
- Planning, Administration & Service
- Provide effective academic administration and coordination for the programme, ensuring clear communication and operational efficiency
- Contribute constructively to School, institutional and university committees, working groups, and academic initiatives
- Support cross-programme and cross-School collaborations that advance interdisciplinary learning and research
- Uphold institutional values, policies, and commitments to sustainability, wellbeing, equality, diversity, and inclusion
Requirements
The ideal candidate should possess:
- A PhD in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, Environmental Design, or a closely related field
- A strong record of professional practice and/or research relevant to biophilic and socio-ecological design
- At least 10 years of academic and/or industry experience, including university-level teaching
- Demonstrated ability to work across disciplines and to lead collaborative initiatives
- A clear interest in, or portfolio engagement with, Southeast Asian and regional contexts
- Proven commitment to innovative pedagogy, student-centred learning, and inclusive education
- Excellent communication skills in English
- A positive, inspiring, and collegial approach to leadership, teaching, and collaboration
Applicants should submit a full CV and a statement of teaching, leadership, and research/practice interests.
Application Closing Date:
Application Details
Please forward your detailed resume in MS Word format only, stating full details of qualifications, experience, current and expected salaries, together with a non-returnable photograph to:
Human Resources Office
Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
80 Bencoolen Street,
Singapore 189655
Fax: 6336 8663
Email: [email protected]
We regret to inform that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.