The Graz University of Technology seeks a full-time assistant professor to join the Institute for Contemporary Art within the Faculty of Architecture. The position is offered for up to six years, 40-hours per week, starting September 1, 2020.

The Institute promotes critical thinking and new forms of artistic and intellectual engagement at the intersections of art, science, and society. Nurturing trans-disciplinary art-based research, and exploratory and long-term projects are of equal importance to us as our academic programs. Our students are encouraged to reflect on conditions, media, and instruments of contemporary art while engaging with the complexities of contemporary spatial politics and their relation to society at large.

This position will be based in Graz and requires teaching, including syllabus development, at the undergraduate and graduate level, as well as research, coordination, and organization.

Person specification
- Minimum masters-level degree in art, or a comparable qualification. Doctoral degree (PhD) and relevant post-doctoral experience would be an advantage.
- Good knowledge of art theory, contemporary art practice, and art history, as well as critical spatial theory, media theory, and critical theory.
- Various competencies and experience in exhibition strategies, time-based media, performance, staging, curating, or the artistic appropriation of media technologies.
- Active engagement with current critical discourses in contemporary art with an awareness of broader socio-political issues.
- Experience of establishing collaborations between the contemporary art sphere and academic environments.
- Experience of working internationally, with a wide network across the contemporary arts, associated fields, and higher education.
- Experience with fundraising, management, and organization of research projects.
- Ability to work effectively and collaboratively within a team.
- Excellent organizational and communication skills.
- Teaching experience. A focus on progressive pedagogical approaches and innovative teaching methods that foster collective learning is desirable.
- Computer literacy and a good understanding of networked technologies and media.
- Fluent in English and German.

Main duties and responsibilities
Candidate's responsibilities for a successful academic path will include teaching, research, and organization. The appointee is expected to engage with teaching at both undergraduate (bachelor's degree) and postgraduate (masters) level; to independently develop syllabi for courses in coordination with the Head of the Institute and line with the Institute's general teaching direction.

Participating in and further developing the Institute's ongoing research agenda will be of critical importance. The appointee will be expected to propose and develop future research trajectories supported by internal and external funding, with a particular focus on expanding the Institute's public engagement. Active involvement in the Institute's ongoing fundraising activities to support research projects and the external lecture-series programs are anticipated. The candidate will be expected to assume an active role in the development of cross-disciplinary research projects leading to the expansion of collaborations and partnerships with other universities and other contemporary art institutions locally in Graz and Austria, and internationally.

The appointee will be expected to take a pro-active role in the overall organization of the Institute, the day-to-day management of activities, as well as the organization and curation of special events held by the Institute in coordination with the Head and the entire team. This includes, but is not limited to, the organization of the end-of-year exhibition as well as other exhibition-related activities, guest-lecture series, and other public programs. Additionally, the successful applicant is expected to take an active role in publicly promoting these events. The position comes with the expectation of performing the necessary administrative work as well as documentation of completed courses on the website of the Institute and its publications. Experience in editing and producing print/digital publications, as well as other media formats is desirable.

The successful applicant will be able to make an individual contribution to the Institute's expanding profile, as well as to the enhancement of its reputation, based on personal expertise and experience, particularly through teaching and research goals.

For this full-time position, the appointee is expected to be based in Graz.

How to apply:
Applications should attach a motivation letter, including a paragraph that explains the applicant's approach to teaching and pedagogy, a curriculum vitae including an up-to-date description of the applicant's academic and professional career, lecturing, and teaching experience as well as a portfolio.

Please submit applications in writing and also electronically to the Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Univ.-Prof. Petra Peterson (dekarchtugraz.at), Rechbauerstr. 12/I, A-8010 Graz, Reference Code: 1550/20/014. Applications must have arrived at the Dean's office by July 22, 2020.

Classification: B1, according to the collective agreement for university employees. The monthly gross minimum wage offered is € 3.889,50 (14 times per year), and this may increase based on previous periods of employment and work experience.

Application deadline: 22.07.2020
Further inquiries: dubravka.sekulictugraz.at