Academy of Fine Arts Leipzig (Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig) - W3 Professorship (m/f/d) in Modern and Contemporary Art History, with a focus on the history and theory of artistic practice in the expanded art field and on visual studies

Institution

permanent, full-time W3 Professorship (m/f/d) in Modern and Contemporary Art History, with a focus on the history and theory of artistic practice in the expanded art field and on visual studies ,

starting October 1, 2027, reference number T/68/27.

In accordance with §71 (2) of the Saxon Higher Education Act (SächsHSG), first-time appointees may be employed on a probationary period of up to two years.

The Academy of Fine Arts Leipzig (HGB) is one of the oldest art academies in Germany. It currently enrolls approximately 550 students across four diploma programs, a master's program and a study program for refugees, and employs around 100 staff members.

We seek an outstanding, internationally networked scholar with proven research expertise in the history of modern and contemporary art, capable of representing the full breadth of the discipline in both research and teaching at the Academy of Fine Arts Leipzig: The position's core focus includes the critical theorization and teaching of methodologies and epistemologies within a hybridized art field—encompassing artistic and design practice alongside other forms of cultural production and exhibition history—as well as visual studies and the history of image‑making, understood as the critical theorization and historically nuanced interpretation of traditional visual forms such as painting. Furthermore, we expect the successful candidate to build on a solid art‑historical foundation in order to engage theoretically with emerging questions from this dynamically evolving field. Finally, the appointee will be expected to articulate the full spectrum of aesthetic phenomena within their art‑historical, political‑social, economic, and cultural contexts, and to reflect on and initiate production and research processes in art and design.

Beyond nationally and internationally visible research achievements, we expect a strong commitment to teaching and a consistent on‑campus presence. Teaching duties are based at the interdisciplinary Institute for Theory and cover the HGB's diploma programs in Painting/Graphic Arts, Media Art, Book Art/Graphic Design, and Photography. Applicants are asked to submit a teaching portfolio that addresses the foundation curriculum requirements and includes a concept for a lecture course in the professorship's field.

The successful candidate will be expected to offer courses for a new interdisciplinary master's program that aligns with the professorship's profile and is designed to appeal equally to students in artistic research, critical art history and aesthetics, and curatorial studies.

Candidates must fulfill the appointment requirements set out in §59 of the Saxon Higher Education Act (SächsHSG). The professorship requires a completed university degree in art history and a demonstrated aptitude for scholarly research, as evidenced by an above‑average doctorate in the field. Pedagogical aptitude, teaching experience at the university level, and familiarity with higher education didactics are also essential. Moreover, we expect outstanding research activity in the field, documented by a habilitation or equivalent scholarly achievements. This body of work must concentrate equally on modern and contemporary art and on theoretical engagements with the hybrid field of current artistic practice – specifically by situating that practice within its historical contexts. This research record must also include at least one additional scholarly monograph.

Since the HGB Leipzig holds the right to award doctoral degrees, we expect the appointee to deepen their own research foci, supervise doctoral candidates, and advise on the theoretical thesis of the artistic diploma. Furthermore, we expect strong social competences and an awareness of intersectional forms of discrimination, alongside a commitment to further developing our study programs, engaging in cooperative research projects, securing third‑party funding, and delivering interdisciplinary, discrimination‑critical teaching formats. Additional duties include active participation in academic self‑administration, involvement in examinations and appointment procedures, service on committees, support for students and emerging artists, as well as contributions to quality assurance provisions and continuing education. The teaching load is set by the Saxon Service Regulations for Higher Education Institutions (HSDAVO) in its current version and currently amounts to 8 teaching hours (45 minutes each) per week during the lecture period. We expect excellent written and spoken communication skills in both German and English; the appointee must be able to teach in English to support the academy's internationalization, though the standard language of instruction and official communication is German.

The HGB is an art academy that values diversity and is committed to fostering an equitable, inclusive, and anti‑discriminatory environment for studying, teaching, and working. We regard different life experiences and perspectives as a strength. We welcome applications regardless of cultural and social background, gender, religion, disability, age, or sexual identity. In cases of equal suitability, qualifications, and professional performance, preference will be given to applicants with severe disabilities or those with equivalent status. Proof of such status must be included with the application materials. The HGB is a signatory to the "Family in Higher Education" charter and actively promotes equal opportunities and the reconciliation of family responsibilities with study, work, and teaching.

Applications including a letter of motivation, a tabular curriculum vitae, a description of the academic career path, a list of publications highlighting five works considered particularly relevant to the field of appointment, text samples (dissertation or habilitation and one additional text), evidence of teaching qualifications and teaching experience, a teaching concept (max. 3 pages), and copies of all relevant certificates and diplomas for university degrees and the highest academic degree obtained must be submitted by August 31, 2026 (MEZ) , exclusively via the HGB's online application portal.

By submitting your application documents, you give the HGB your consent to process the personal data you have provided for the purpose of conducting the application procedure (cf. Article 6 GDPR; see also §32 BDSG).

Please note that the academy does not reimburse application, travel, or accommodation costs.

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