ABOUT THE ROLE
Northumbria University invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Researcher to join the EVIDENT project (Evidence-Based Architectural Design of Emergency Departments for Greater Communication, Collaboration, and Care Delivery). This role focuses on Work Package 1 (WP1): Analysing the Spatial Design of Emergency Departments (EDs) in the Swiss Healthcare System using advanced spatial analysis techniques, including space syntax, isovist measures, and visual complexity assessments.
The successful candidate will work closely with researchers at Cambridge and ETH Zurich to quantify spatial properties of ED layouts, investigate their influence on face-to-face interactions, and contribute to the development of the EDscape dataset-a comprehensive, open-source resource on Swiss ED spatial typologies.
Key Responsibilities:
* Conduct spatial analyses of Swiss EDs using space syntax and isovist methods, examining inter-visibility, accessibility, 'choice' points, and spatial complexity.
* Analyse point cloud data and 2D floor plans to assess spatial and visual properties of EDs, ensuring data accuracy through ground-truthing.
* Apply cluster analysis and statistical methods to classify EDs into spatial typologies, supporting case study selection for fieldwork.
* Collaborate with healthcare partners, architects, and computational specialists to ensure robust interdisciplinary methodologies.
* Co-author high-impact journal articles, particularly targeting evidence-based healthcare design and architectural research.
* Engage in project dissemination through workshops, conferences, and publications.
* Undertake travel to Switzerland for data collection and collaboration with project partners.
The role is fixed term for a duration of 18 months.
ABOUT YOU
Applicants should hold a PhD in Architecture, Urban Design, or a related field, with a focus on spatial analysis, wayfinding, or evidence-based design, as well as:
* Expertise in space syntax analytic methods, including isovist analysis, justified graphs, and spatial network metrics.
* Strong quantitative skills, with experience in clustering analysis, data visualization, and statistical modelling.
* A research background in health-related topics.
* Demonstrated ability to publish in high-ranking peer-reviewed journals.
Further information about the requirements of the role is available in the person specification .
If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Ruth Dalton, Professor in Architecture, at ruth.dalton@northumbria.ac.uk
To apply for this vacancy please click 'Apply Now'. Your application should include a covering letter and a CV.
ABOUT US
Northumbria University is a research-intensive university that unlocks potential for all. We change lives regionally, nationally, and internationally through education and research, tackling the global challenges of our age to transform society and the economy. Find out why we were named Times Higher Education's University of the Year in 2022 and Modern University of the Year in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.
Northumbria recorded the biggest rise of any UK university for research power in the Research Excellence Framework for the second time in 2021 and is now ranked top 25 in the UK for this measure.
One of the largest universities in the UK with over 37,000 students from more than 140 countries, filled with world-leading research, award-winning partnerships, and students at the heart of an outstanding experience. Discover more about us .
Northumbria University is a great place to work. We empower our exceptional people to achieve shared ambitions and promote a positive work life balance. We offer a wide range of benefits including excellent pension schemes, flexible working, a generous holiday entitlement, continued commitment to your learning and development and more .
Our Northumbria Values are guiding principles that define who we are, what we do and what is important to us. Our Values are: Academic Excellence; Innovation; Inclusivity; Collaboration; and Ambition.
Our Behaviours describe how we do things and how we work together at Northumbria, reflecting our culture and our decision-making. Our Behaviours are: We listen and learn, we support one another to success, we respect everyone and their contributions, we trust in ourselves and each other and we are bold.
Our Values and Behaviours were co-created by colleagues from a range of roles across the University, who worked collaboratively to consider what it feels like to work for Northumbria, and where we need to continue to transform together to achieve what's important to us.
Please visit Our Values and Behaviours page to find out more.
We are an on-campus organisation where colleagues work regular patterns of hours and on campus, with some flexibility on the timing of their hours and the location of their work in discussion with their manager. Our campus locations include our City and Coach Lane Campuses in Newcastle upon Tyne and our London campus.
Northumbria University is committed to creating an inclusive culture where we take pride in, and value, the diversity of our staff. We encourage and welcome applications from all members of the community. The University holds bronze Athena Swan and Race Equality Charter awards in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender and race equality, we are a Disability Confident Leader and are participating in the Stonewall Diversity Champion Programme. We also hold the HR Excellence in Research award for implementing the concordat supporting the career Development of Researchers and are members of the Euraxess initiative to deliver information and support to professional researchers. The University has implemented a range of flexible working arrangements, and we are happy to explore candidate requirements as part of the recruitment process.
We are committed to keeping your data safe so it's important for you to know how we use any personal data you give us. For more detailed information, access our Privacy Policy .Northumbria University invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Researcher to join the EVIDENT project (Evidence-Based Architectural Design of Emergency Departments for Greater Communication, Collaboration, and Care Delivery).