Employment Opportunities

Director, Social Innovation Lab Kyrgyzstan (SILK) and Assistant or Associate Professor in Urban Planning

Position Announcement

Director, Social Innovation Lab Kyrgyzstan (SILK) and Assistant or Associate Professor in Urban Planning

Full-time position to start in September 2020

The Social Science Division of the American University of Central Asia (AUCA), is looking fill a new and exciting position: Director of a new laboratory on social innovation in Central Asia. Successful applicants will also hold the position of Assistant Professor and teach courses related to Urban Planning and Design in the Liberal Arts and Sciences Department.

Interested candidates should provide a CV, cover letter, statements of their teaching philosophy and experience conducting research, and contact information for 3 references to LAS@AUCA.KG as soon as possible. The position will remain open until filled. Please do not hesitate to contact us with questions.

Program information:

SILK is a joint initiative of AUCA and the Soros Foundation Kyrgyzstan. The overall goal of SILK is to be an innovative think tank that uses academic research, empirical methods, and rapid prototyping to explore and test ideas, and propose practical, innovative, solutions in the form of research publications and policy recommendations. The focus of the Lab will be on social change and social justice issues in Central Asia. Examples include urban planning policies, human rights, climate justice, food security, public health, and education.

A faculty initiative, the Lab will bring together researchers at AUCA and other local educational and research institutions, students, NGOs, and donor organizations. Products and services of the Lab will include high quality publications, public events, discussion forums, recommendations for public policies, and prototype solutions.

University information:

AUCA is an international, multi-disciplinary learning community in the American liberal arts tradition. All courses are taught in English. Students and faculty come from over 20 countries. The University has a new campus in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, next to picturesque, mountainous, landscapes. Most AUCA departments offer joint degrees with Bard College in upstate New York. Faculty members have opportunities to conduct community-based research and service.

Minimum Qualifications:

Ph.D. or equivalent degree in urban planning, social sciences, design, architecture, or related fields
Experience with teaching and providing training, or working in related fields
Experience as a researcher in the social sciences
Familiarity with design thinking, systems dynamics, social justice, and human rights
Experience in grant writing and fundraising

Responsibilities:

This position will be split between teaching, management, and coordination of research projects
Setting up and managing the SILK.
Building relationships with stakeholders and partners.
Supporting researchers’ projects; assisting with research
Developing ideas for securing research funding and writing successful funding proposals.
Teaching of two courses per semester at the master’s and undergraduate level for students in the Urban Planning and Design concentration and related disciplines
Student assessment, examination and course design.
Supervision of 1-2 master dissertations or 1-2 undergraduate theses per academic year
Administrative support and service to the University and the Liberal Arts and Sciences Department

Contacts:

Daniyar Karabaev, Chair, Department of Liberal Arts and Sciences, karabaev@auca.kg
Seth Fearey, Acting Head of SILK, fearey_s@auca.kg
Raushan Salimbekova, Office Manager, Liberal Arts and Sciences, LAS@auca.kg

Link to this block: https://www.auca.kg/en/employee_opportunities/#b645