Call for applications
The documenta Institut is an independent, non-university research organization that positions itself as a center for exhibition studies.
The University of Kassel is a modern and growing University with round about 22.000 students. The university’s wide range of expertise covers subjects in the natural, applied, cultural and social sciences.
The following position is to be filled in a joint appointment process by the Kunsthochschule of the University of Kassel and the documenta Institut:
W3 Professorship (m/f/d) “Exhibition Studies in Contemporary Art” in association with the directorship of the documenta Institut “Academic Managing Director of the documenta Institut”
Application deadline: May 12, 2025
Date of hire: As soon as possible
Vacancy number: 38253
You will be appointed as a tenured professor at the Kunsthochschule Kassel and will then be put on leave from there, according to the so-called Jülich model, to take up the position of Academic Managing Director at the documenta Institut. The appointment to Director is for a fixed term of five years, with the aim of continued reemployment until retirement.
The Kunsthochschule Kassel (KhK) is an internationally oriented art school bringing together programs in art, design, art education, and academic research. The Kunsthochschule Kassel is part of the University of Kassel and is authorized to confer doctoral and habilitation degrees.
The documenta Institut is an extra-university research institution dedicated to questions of exhibiting contemporary art and at the same time is a site of exchange about the art of our present time. Independent of the 5-year rhythm of the documenta exhibitions, the Institut attracts people from all over the world who work in the field of art, who are involved in the field of art, and who are interested in the field of art. Beyond its function as a traditional research institute, the documenta Institut sees itself as an educational, experimental, and public intellectual site of education, experimentation, and public knowledge production.
The duties of the Academic Managing Director at the documenta Institut encompass:
–representing the documenta Institut to the outside world,
–managing operations in cooperation with the administrative management,
–developing long-term research and education programs (program planning) in coordination with the professorships associated with the documenta Institut, the board of directors, and the institute’s academic board,
–assuming overall responsibility for the mediation programmes as well as the academic and research orientation,
–preparing and carrying out the decisions made at the general meeting and by the board of directors
We are looking for an internationally recognized person with experience in the academic reflections on art exhibitions, in curating, and in management. The focus is on perspectives from art history and theory and/or cultural and media studies and/or social sciences on exhibition practice and theory in contemporary art in a global context. The professorship includes a teaching requirement of 2 semester hours per week at the Kunsthochschule.
The future post holder is expected to have outstanding academic qualifications in the areas named, demonstrated by relevant and high-level international publications, as well as didactic skills. Another prerequisite is extensive networking with persons involved in exhibition practice both in Germany and internationally. Experience in raising third-party funds is required. Experience in academic management within the extra-university research landscape is highly desirable.
The appointment will be made in accordance with the Hessian Higher Education Act and the requirements for appointing academic professorships specified therein.
Further information about the Kunsthochschule can be found in the internet at: kunsthochschule-kassel.de. Any questions can be addressed to Prof. Dr. Martin Schmidl (martinschmidl(at)uni-kassel.de).
In the event of any differences between the German and English versions of this call for application, the German wording is legally binding. For more job offers visit stellen.uni-kassel.de.
Please send your application with the usual informative documents, stating the reference number the subject line, via the online form. We have complied further information for you in our FAQ. The protection of your personal information is very important to us, so we will handle your personal information with care. By your application, you allow us the storage and use in the sense of the Hessian Data Protection and Freedom of Information Act. You can object to this at any time. Your personal data will be deleted.
Information according to Art. 13 DSGVO for the application process at the University of Kassel can be found here. Information and FAQ about applying for a job offer here.
The University of Kassel is very interested in the professional satisfaction of its employees. It is distinguished as a family-friendly university and, in the interests of equal opportunities, strives to offer everyone the same opportunities for development and to counteract existing disadvantages. It promotes the Family Welcome Service and also the Dual Career Service for positions that are scientifically and academically filled. One of the strategic goals of the University of Kassel is to significantly increase the proportion of women in research and teaching. Applications from women are therefore particularly welcome. Seriously handicapped and equivalent applicants are given preference if they have the same suitability, qualifications and professional performance.
