Professorships in Material Based Product Design & Dramaturgy and Curatorial Practice

The Karlsruhe University of Art and Design currently has two open Professorship vacancies listed as follows:

Professorship of Material Based Product Design: Application until November 3, 2024. The following artistic professorship is to be filled at the Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design (HfG) in the design department as of October 1, 2025:

Professorship of Material Based Product Design
Salary Group W3 (100 percent) The appointment of the professorship refers to a professorship for life. For the Professorship in Material Based Product Design, the appointed individual is expected to engage in a comprehensive exploration of the key parameters of product design, such as function, construction, configuration, as well as engaging with materials and modes of production that are innovative and sustainable. The candidate should thoughtfully incorporate socially relevant aspects of design in an artistic and critical manner, and think through contemporary product design in relation to notions of use and materiality, as well as future and historical technologies. The ideal candidate will have a wide range of skills and interests, with a particular focus on experimental materials research as well as on requirements of sustainable production conditions. At HfG, we expect the design and production practices taught to be characterized by the consistent use of digital media and program-controlled tools.

Tasks
–Represent the field of product design in its full artistic and creative scope.
–Teach within the Product Design degree program, including instruction in the technical foundations.
–Supervise students across all artistic and theoretical subjects at the HfG.
–Collaborate on interdisciplinary and experimental projects within and beyond HfG.
–Initiate and follow collaborations with manufacturers and industry.
–Contribute to the ongoing development of the HfG curriculum and the expansion of operational structures, both in terms of personnel and technology.
–Initiate and conceptualize externally funded projects.

Furthermore, the post holder is expected to work collaboratively and in an interdisciplinary manner with other departments of the university as well as with the neighboring Center for Art and Media (ZKM) Karlsruhe. Further official duties are regulated in section 46 of the Landeshochschulgesetz Baden-Württemberg. Participation in University’s self-administration is one of the official duties.

Recruitment requirements
–Completion of a relevant university degree and/or outstanding subject-related achievements within the field of Product Design.
–Relevant publications and projects in the field
–With the help of an internationally recognized body of work and professional experience, the candidate must be able to demonstrate a special aptitude for guiding artistic-creative, experimental work and the ability to translate this research into relevant solutions within the field of product design.
–Knowledge of and experience with digital media and program-driven manufacturing tools.
–A broad professional and international network.
–Pedagogical aptitude and extensive successful teaching experience at art or design colleges.
–Knowledge of German and English at university level.

General information
The Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design is committed to diversity, equality and justice in opportunities. It would like to maintain the proportion of women among its professors. The HfG supports the compatibility of career and family. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preferential consideration if equally qualified.

Please submit your application with CV and documents that clearly show your artistic/academic background via the online-application form by November 3, 2024. For information on the job advertisement, please contact the Rectorate at T +49 (0)721 8203-2297 or e-mail: rektorat [​at​] hfg-karlsruhe.de.

Professorship for Dramaturgy and Curatorial Practice: Application until November 10, 2024. The following artistic professorship is to be filled at the Karlsruhe University of Art and Design (HfG) in the departments of Exhibition Design & Scenography and Art Resarch & Media Philosophy as of October 1, 2025:

Professorship for Dramaturgy and Curatorial Practice
Salary Group W3 (66 percent, limited up to six years). This professorship sits within the Exhibition Design and Scenography (ADSZ) course of study, and it shares its focus on experimental work in space—both practical and theoretical—within expanded notions of art and design. As such the professorship is aimed at articulating artistic and performative spatial practices in relationship to curatorial and dramaturgical discourses and their socio-political contexts.

The advertised professorship for Dramaturgy and Curatorial Practice complements and works closely with the existing professorships for Exhibition Design & Research and for Scenography, and further supports the interdisciplinary nature of the ADSZ course of study and of the HfG as a whole. The focus of the professorship is the development of experimental and conceptual methods in the context of dramaturgy and theater theory, curatorial practice, performance and exhibition studies. This involves putting in place theoretical frameworks for projects and working on time-based spatial concepts.

We are looking for an established personality with solid experience in curating exhibitions, performances and performative, cross-disciplinary events. A strong interest in international artistic and curatorial practice is essential, as is a sustained relationship with contemporary visual and performing arts.

Tasks
–Representation of the subject of dramaturgy and curatorial practice in its entire theoretical, artistic and creative breadth.
–Teaching in the courses of exhibition design and scenography.
–Supervision of students from all artistic and theoretical departments at the HfG.
–Initiation of interdisciplinary and experimental projects.
–Contributing to the department and working closely with the team.

Furthermore, the post holder is expected to work collaboratively and in an interdisciplinary manner with other departments of the university as well as with the neighboring Center for Art and Media (ZKM) Karlsruhe. Further official duties are regulated in § 46 of the Landeshochschulgesetz Baden-Württemberg. Participation in University’s self-administration is one of the official duties.

Recruitment requirements
–Completion of a relevant university degree (preferably dramaturgy, theater studies, art history, curatorial studies, exhibition design and/or scenography) and/or outstanding subject-related achievements in artistic/scientific practice.
–Special ability for conceptual artistic and experimental work, which is usually demonstrated by a recognized body of work, publications and international professional practice.
–Pedagogical suitability and teaching experience.
–Knowledge of German and English at university level.

General information
The Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design is committed to diversity, equality and justice in opportunities. It would like to maintain the proportion of women among its professors. The HfG supports the compatibility of career and family. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preferential consideration if equally qualified.

Please submit your application with CV and documents that clearly show your artistic/academic background via the online application form by November 10, 2024.

For information on the job advertisement, please contact the Rectorate at T +49 (0)721 8203-2297 or e-mail: rektorat [​at​] hfg-karlsruhe.de.