University Professorship "Theory and Mediation of Contemporary Art"

Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien

A...kademie der bildenden Künste Wien

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The Academy of Fine Arts Vienna invites applications for the following position:

University Professorship

in accordance with § 99 Austrian University Act 2002 (Universitätsgesetz 2002) for the subject „Theory and Mediation of Contemporary Art“ at the Institute for Art Theory and Cultural Studies (IKW) of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna. This full-time employment starts 1 February 2026 and is limited until 30 June 2026.

The focus of the Institute for Art Theory and Cultural Studies is on critical studies in the context of contemporary art, gender studies, postcolonial studies, sociology, aesthetic theory, art history and media studies.

The advertised position focuses on artistic-aesthetic as well as theoretical-discursive phenomena and developments in contemporary art – also in view of their synchronicity. The responsibilities include teaching and research, the supervision of diploma/MA theses, as well as participation in the university's self-administration.

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Conditions of employment

• an Austrian or international university or college degree appropriate to the position or equivalent academic qualification
• outstanding academic qualification in the subject to be filled
• a distinguished research profile (relevant international publications, conference contributions, etc.) as well as experience with the writing of research proposals
• pedagogical and didactical competences as well as several years of teaching experience, preferably in higher education
• relevant international networks as well as non-academic practice
• competence in discursive development and reflection on the arts in the context of the Academy's research and teaching activities
• willingness to cooperate closely with colleagues at the IKW in matters of content and organization
• willingness to participate in the committees of the university’s self-administration
• very good knowledge of German and/or English and the willingness to learn the respective other language
• general anti-discriminatory understanding and the willingness to further improve these skills

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Desired qualifications

• expertise in transdisciplinary art and cultural studies
• knowledge of current artistic and art theoretical forms of discourse and practice

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Teaching responsibilities include courses of at least 6 hours per week.

The monthly gross salary according to the collective agreement for university employees in salary group A1 is currently Euro 6.604,30.

The application must be accompanied by a teaching concept (max. 7 pages), as well as a curriculum vitae including research projects, a letter of motivation and a list of publications.

Interested candidates please apply by 12 December 2025 at: www.akbild.ac.at/jobs

The Academy of Fine Arts Vienna is committed to a learning, teaching, research and working environment of equal opportunities and works towards the elimination of discrimination and structural barriers. The Academy therefore explicitly endorses applications from qualified persons who are structurally disadvantaged due to their gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion or ideology or their age. Special consideration is required if a person combines several grounds of discrimination (intersectional approach).

The Academy of Fine Arts Vienna strives to increase the representation of women and strongly encourages applications from qualified women. Furthermore, the Academy strives to create application and working conditions that are as accessible as possible. In this context, the Academy actively supports the application of people with disabilities. Applicants may contact the Human Resources Department or the Academy's disability representatives in advance. Applicants are not entitled to compensation for travel and accommodation costs incurred in relation to the admission procedure.