Artistic Professorship Embodiment in Theatre and Performance (40-50%, m/w/d)

Zürcher Hochschule der Künste (ZHdK)

With around 2100 Bachelor's and Master's students, the ZHdK is one of the largest and most diverse art academies in Europe. The fields of study and research include art education, design, film, fine arts, music, dance, theatre and transdisciplinarity. Located in the centre of Zurich, the ZHdK is a dynamic place where passionate people from over 75 countries work, study, teach, research and further their education. The university has numerous exhibition and performance venues where students' projects are publicly shown.
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The Department of Performing Arts and Film comprises the areas of dance, film and theatre and is one of the largest departments at Zurich University of the Arts with over 300 students at BA and MA level. The department also includes the Research Institute for Performing Arts and Film (IPF) and the Immersive Arts Space as a ZHdK-wide platform for artistic experimentation with digital media. In the theatre department, 120 students receive a comprehensive artistic education. In the BA Theatre with the disciplinary programmes Acting, Directing, Theatre Pedagogy and Scenography. In the MA- level with an interdisciplinary and internationally oriented MA in Theatre.

As of August 1, 2025 or the next possible date thereafter, the Department of Performing Arts and Film is looking to fill the

Artistic Professorship «Embodiment in Theatre and Performance» (40-50%, m/w/d)

We are looking for an outstanding artistic personality who engages with current developments in embodiment and embodied knowledge and investigates the field in a future-oriented way through their own practice. The artistic professorship ‘Embodiment in Theatre and Performance’ is situated in the Theatre Programme and is particularly active in the internationally focussed MA Major in Theatre (delivered in English), which focuses on co-creative and artistic-research processes as well as experimental theatre and performance practices. As a cross-sectional professorship, you make a significant contribution to developing the curriculum in the MA Major in Theatre and are part of the strategic vision of the Theatre Programme more generally. You develop innovative and engaging teaching formats on the BA and MA level. You engage with embodiment in its current contexts - e.g. through an intercultural, intermedial-digital, or ecocritical/post-human lens – and are interested in actively collaborating with other artistic disciplines at the ZHdK.

Your tasks

• Take on co-responsibility in coordinating the English-speaking MA Major in Theatre (MATch), particularly in terms of curriculum development
• Develop and deliver effective and engaging courses and practical projects in the MA Major in Theatre and in the BA Theatre (particularly the Major Acting) as well as potentially in the minor area (e.g. Music Theatre or Screen Acting)
• Mentor students in their artistic development, incl. supervision of diploma projects
• Be willing to participate in organizational and administrative tasks and/or evaluation commissions
• Establish cooperations with cultural institutions, theatres and production houses, artists in the independent scene, and other art schools

Your profile

• Completed MA degree (or equivalent) in the field of theatre and performance
• Established artistic practice (at least 5-7 years) that explores questions of embodiment and embodied knowledge in an interdisciplinary context and in exchange with the other arts
• Track record of engaging with embodiment in various current contexts, e.g. as an intercultural practice, with mechanisms of embodiment and disembodiment in the intermedial-digital space or in an ecocritical context.
• Outstanding pedagogical qualification with at least 3 years of teaching experience in the art university context, especially in international and interdisciplinary contexts
• Relevant experience with or additional qualifications in various theatrical and performative methodologies as well as intercultural and interdisciplinary teaching contexts
• Sensitivity in dealing with heterogeneous groups and theatrical concepts and integration of topics of diversity, inclusion and accessibility in education and everyday professional life
• High level of self-motivation, self-organisation, combined with strong communication skills
• Excellent knowledge of English and willingness to acquire/expand German language skills (B2 level)

This is what you can expect from us
We offer stimulating position in a very lively and collegial environment in the Department of Performing Arts and Film at the Zurich University of the Arts, in which interdisciplinary collaboration between the various fields of study plays a central role. The theatre operates at two locations, the Toni Areal and the Gessnerallee. We live an inclusive culture and value diversity. Our benefits are varied and self-evident.

For further information on the programme and position, please contact Ramona Mosse (ramona.mosse@zhdk.ch), Head of Studies Theatre. HRM contact: Mirjam Schütz, HR Business Partner (mirjam.schuetz@zhdk.ch).

We look forward to receiving your complete application documents, including a letter of motivation, an artistic portfolio and a teaching portfolio by May 31, 2025 via the ‘Apply online now’ link at the end of this advertisement. Please note that we will only consider online applications for this position.

First round interviews will be held on June 12, 2025 and second round interviews with a public presentation will be held on site on June 19, 2025.
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Information on our programmes and departments can be found at www.zhdk.ch
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Zurich University of the Arts
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