University Professor in Experimental Processes in Art

The University of Art Braunschweig (HBK Braunschweig) is establishing a new institute specialising in design, and is looking to appoint a University Professor in Experimental Processes in Art (salary scale: W3) from April 1, 2027.

This is a permanent appointment. The successful applicant will be appointed as a civil servant in accordance with German civil service regulations, if applicable, or otherwise as an employee.
HBK Braunschweig is an internationally orientated university specialising in the arts that is entitled to award doctoral degrees and grant ‘Habilitationen’ (professorial qualifications). With around 1,000 students enrolled in the fields of Fine Arts, Art Education, Performing Arts, Design and Design Studies, Visual Communication, Art Studies and Media Studies, HBK Braunschweig is among the major universities of the arts in Germany.

HBK Braunschweig is embarking on a comprehensive restructure of its design departments. Alongside the establishment of a new faculty and the appointment of several new professors, the existing degree programmes in this area are undergoing redevelopment. This process is largely based on the profound change in the concept of design brought about by the impending ecological and social transformation.

Tasks and responsibilities
The professorship is dedicated to an experimental engagement with the intersections of visual communication, materiality, and interaction in art, promoting corresponding approaches to different materials and within design processes. The post-holder will encourage students to develop individual methods, tools and working practices and will support them in enhancing their perceptive skills through a critical questioning of form and content. Additionally, her*his teaching will develop students’ abilities to analyse and interpret their findings and to explore the use of different media without preconceptions, including evaluating the significance of these discussions for their own practice. Possible fields of research and collaboration could be, for example, the psychology of perception, communication theory, optics, colour, rhetoric, image theory and the ethical aspects of design.

The professorship is of particular importance for the foundation courses in design, and the post-holder will also be responsible for coordinating the joint introductory phase of the planned new degree programmes. As such, she*he will work across the various disciplines within the new design faculty at HBK Braunschweig. Additionally, he*she will be expected to work closely with the theoretical departments within the university.

One key task for the professor will be the active involvement in the establishment and ongoing development of the new institute, including the development of its new degree programmes.

For more information, including on requirements and application documents, please refer to hbk-bs.de.