Senior lecturer in graphic design

Senior lecturer in graphic design (100 percent—Ghent)
LUCA School of Arts is a creative hub for almost 5,000 people: more than 4,000 students and 800 colleagues. LUCA offers them an educational and research environment to further develop their creative talent. We do this through offering higher education in the broad domain of the arts, and through artistic research, embedded within an associated Faculty of Arts at KU Leuven. LUCA has campuses in four cities: Ghent, Brussels, Leuven and Genk. LUCA is a member of the KU Leuven Association and the European University Alliance FilmEU.

In the context of the expertise network Artistic Practices, to be appointed within the team Graphic Arts (Ghent), we are looking for senior lecturer in graphic design. Within the context of our team, graphic design empasizes the artistic impact of visual communication. With a strong focus on experimentation, innovative thinking, and critical reflection, students develop the skills to become independent designers who shape the future of design practice. The program at the Ghent campus is a vibrant crossroads for the development of art and design at the heart of contemporary society. Three majors are offered within the visual arts (fine arts, graphic design, and textile design), supported by seven studios: painting; printmaking and drawing; sculpture, glass, and ceramics; mixed media; illustration; textile design; and graphic design. These studios are in turn supported by a broad range of highly developed workshops.

Artistic research at LUCA takes many forms: autonomous and applied, individual and collective, discipline-specific and interdisciplinary, theoretical and practical. Guided by a shared ambition to prepare and shape the art and artists of tomorrow, each artist, designer, and researcher at the Ghent campus follows their own intuition, expertise, subject matter, and visual language.

The proposed starting date is September 1, 2026. Unit website.

Research
As a senior lecturer, you dedicate about half of your assignment to research. Together with colleagues, you will build a group of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. You will achieve research output of international standing and obtain external funding for additional research. The status of special guest lecturer in the arts allows you to be a supervisor of doctorates in the arts and research projects within KU Leuven.

Teaching
Your assignment includes teaching tasks within LUCA Visual Arts & Design and LUCA Graduate. These are mainly situated within the study program Graphic Design (Ghent campus). The assignment is broader than teaching, supervising and evaluating students. Together with colleagues, you develop teaching and learning activities, tailored to the student audience and within the context of the curriculum and the profile of the program. You also actively contribute to the quality of the program, and you are an ambassador for LUCA with regard to prospective students and alumni.

Service
Scientific, social and internal services are also part of the assignment, as well as professionalisation and international networking. You are also expected to take on a leadership role within LUCA and KU Leuven at certain times.

Profile
You have strong, hands-on research expertise in graphic design. You will contribute to the graphic design studio and take the lead in the further development of practical research within this field.

Your role will include designing high-quality educational programs for graphic design students and conducting innovative artistic research, with the ability to connect graphic design with adjacent disciplines and emerging (digital) practices. A strong, hands-on commitment to contemporary developments and processes in graphic design is essential.

You have an artistic vision, you know how to share expertise with students, you have the drive to initiate and supervise research projects (including doctorates) in the arts, and to collaborate with a diverse network of researchers. You will build a personal artistic research trajectory within the evolving landscape of graphic and digital design. You hold a PhD.

You have social and educational skills, you are collegial and communicative, and motivated to continuously develop your expertise. You act respectfully and with integrity, in line with LUCA’s code of conduct. You contribute to an inclusive work and study environment, you are open to different opinions, and value diversity between individuals and groups as an asset.

You are able to teach in Dutch or English, and/or you are prepared (if necessary) to become proficient in both languages. LUCA will ensure language training opportunities.

You are loyal and endorse the mission, vision and policy of LUCA and KU Leuven.

Offer
This vacancy is for a statutory appointment of indefinite duration for 100 percent vacant position with the rank of “docent (OP3)” at LUCA School of Arts. A tenured position can be applied for in due course. In addition, you will acquire the status of special guest lecturer in the arts within KU Leuven for a first term of five years.

The remuneration is paid in the relevant salary scale 528, as defined by the government. Commuting by public transport or by bicycle is reimbursed, you get a teacher's card, discounts through joint purchase, and the option to take out hospitalisation insurance at a favourable rate.

You will find yourself in an environment where respect and integrity define our basic attitude, where we see sustainability and diversity as an asset, and where quality is our driving force.

LUCA and KU Leuven want all talents to develop to the fullest, regardless of gender, age, cultural origin, nationality or disability. We therefore welcome all talented people who recognise the added value of diversity and want to help shape an inclusive organisation.

Research environment (associated faculty within KU Leuven) / Study programs LUCA School of Arts / European University Alliance FilmEU.

Interested?
More information about this vacancy can be obtained from the director of the expertise network, Pieter Schuermans (pieter.schuermans@luca-arts.be), the research coordinator Dieter De Vlieghere (dieter.devlieghere@luca-arts.be), and from the responsibles for the expertise team and the programs involved.

Applications consist of: (I) a motivation letter, (II) a curriculum vitae, (III) a portfolio, (IV) a certificate of diploma (or declaration of equivalence), (V) a bio-sketch. This bio-sketch is a free text of no more than two pages in which you briefly outline your past career and your future plans in three parts: (a) the crucial elements of your past career (with attention to their importance and impact), (b) the main points of your future activities (with an emphasis on the first five years), (c) your added value and opportunities for collaboration within LUCA and KU Leuven. Only complete applications are eligible.

Interviews with candidates, and any interactive workshops, will follow after pre-selection based on the application file. You can apply for this job no later than January 05, 2026 via the online application tool

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.

Job application procedure / Working conditions / Career opportunities. Do you have a question about the online application system? Please consult our FAQ or email us at apply@kuleuven.be