OPEN CALL: Professorship in Art History and Aesthetics at HBK Braunschweig

The Institute of Art History and Aesthetics at the Braunschweig University of Art (HBK Braunschweig) is currently seeking to fill the following professorship with the starting date October 1, 2023: Professor in Art History and Aesthetics, specialising in New Museum Studies (Salary Scale W3 NBesG).

The successful applicant will be appointed as a civil servant in accordance with German civil service regulations, or otherwise as an employee. This is a permanent appointment.

The newly established professorship will focus on the expansion of the meaning of the museum in a globalised context, using the educational, participative and post-colonial methodologies of New Museum Studies to enrich teaching and research in art history and aesthetics. This will require knowledge of the history of European museums and their emergence and development together with their principles of inclusion and exclusion; their attempts at canon-building and their contribution to processes of nation-building; their striving for expansion; their modes of presentation; and their educational formats and policies.

The successful candidate will primarily undertake teaching in the context of the BA and MA degree programmes in Art History and Aesthetics, but in the context of interdisciplinary networks within the university may also build bridges with degree programmes in the Fine Arts, Art Education, Art for the Teaching Profession, Performing Arts, Media Studies and Visual Communication. The new appointee will be expected to bring a reflective engagement to concepts related to the transformation of museum collection strategies, and to consider establishment-critical artistic practices. They will also be expected to examine the role of museums in creating and forming audiences in the context of changing social and institutional conditions (shared cultural maps). The post-holder should also include discussions of digitalisation strategies and ecological aspects in their teaching, both of which have taken on a greater urgency as the museum has increasingly become a mechanism for delivering (tourist-friendly) exhibitions.  As the HBK Braunschweig has the status of a university (that is, it has the right to confer doctoral and post-doctoral (Habilitation) qualifications), the appointed candidate will be expected to actively participate in interdisciplinary networks within the HBK and to proactively lead on applications for third-party funding.

Candidates are expected to demonstrate the following experience and qualifications:
–Outstanding expertise in Museum Studies
–An internationally visible research profile
–Willingness to cooperate with museums, universities and art colleges regionally, in other German-speaking countries and in a global context
–Proficiency in German to at least C1 level under the European Reference Framework, or a willingness to acquire a knowledge of German to this level within two years of appointment.

Candidates who can demonstrate the following qualifications are particularly encouraged to apply:
–Curatorial experience
–Experience in developing and using digital formats in teaching and learning and in the context of developing degree programmes, and/or a willingness to develop their ability in this area to the required standard.

Eligibility for employment is conditional upon:
–A relevant university degree (in Art History and Aesthetics, History of Art, Cultural Studies, Museum Studies)
–An above-average doctorate/PhD and Habilitation or qualifications and experience equivalent to the Habilitation
–Proven teaching ability demonstrated through teaching experience in a relevant subject
–A record of publications, lectures and, where relevant, exhibitions in the field of Museum Studies
–Experience in planning, acquiring and delivering research projects.

As a requirement of the position, all candidates are expected to demonstrate social and leadership competencies and to promote equality and diversity. They are also expected to participate in academic self-governance and to sit on relevant committees. All candidates must demonstrate excellent communication skills and the ability to work with other departments across the university in order to promote an integrated approach to teaching and learning.

Further requirements of the position are defined under Section 25 of the Lower Saxony Higher Education Act (Niedersächsiches Hochschulgesetz of January 27, 2022 ), viewable here.

The HBK Braunschweig is committed to increasing the proportion of women in art, research and teaching as one of its strategic goals. We therefore explicitly encourage women to apply. Where candidates have equivalent qualifications, under the relevant regulations preference will be given to female candidates. Subject to the same provisions, preference will also be given to disabled candidates (please enclose evidence of the relevant disability with your application). The HBK Braunschweig cultivates a culture of diversity. We therefore particularly welcome applications from candidates who will increase the diversity of our staff and student body and/or who are actively working towards a culture of diversity. The HBK Braunschweig is a member of the Dual Career Network (South-East Lower Saxony) and offers support to candidates and their families in managing dual careers. This position is suitable for part-time employment.

Please submit your application including a cover letter, CV,  degree certificates and transcripts, list of publications and previous teaching experience, an outline of your approach to teaching and a list of externally-funded projects that you have led or participated in by January 29, 2023 to berufungen@hbk-bs.de. Documents should be submitted as a single PDF file no larger than ten MB. Please note that applications submitted in other formats and links to other documents will not be accepted. Application costs cannot be refunded.

Personal data provided as part of your application will be processed by HBK Braunschweig on the basis of the following legislation: Section 88, Lower Saxony Civil Servant Act (NBG) (for German civil servants) in conjunction with Section 12, Lower Saxony Data Protection Act in conjunction with Section 88 NBG (for employees who are not civil servants). Should your application be unsuccessful, all documents and data relating to your application and all personal data will be destroyed/deleted six months after the recruitment and selection process is legally completed. Detailed information regarding data protection during the recruitment process can be found here.

Enquiries in relation to the application process should be addressed to Ms Carina Haas at berufungen@hbk-bs.de., T +49 0 531 391 9343.