Organizer Information
The Academy of Fine Arts Vienna is one of Europe’s most established art universities, with a long-standing reputation for critical, interdisciplinary, and research-driven art education. Located in Vienna, Austria, the institution plays a central role in shaping contemporary discourse in Art Theory, Cultural Studies, and Modern Art History.
Its Institute for Art Theory and Cultural Studies (IKW) is internationally recognized for its critical engagement with Contemporary Art, Gender Studies, Postcolonial Studies, Sociology, Aesthetic Theory, and Media Studies. The Academy operates at the intersection of academic research and artistic production, fostering an environment where theoretical reflection and cultural practice inform one another. It is particularly known for its commitment to decolonial, feminist, and transdisciplinary approaches to art history and cultural analysis.
Title & Description
University Professorship – History and Theory of Modern Art (Academy of Fine Arts Vienna)
This opportunity is a senior academic appointment for a University Professorship in History and Theory of Modern Art, based at the Institute for Art Theory and Cultural Studies (IKW). The position is designed for a highly qualified scholar with expertise in modern art (19th and 20th centuries), with a strong emphasis on critical and interdisciplinary approaches.
The role focuses on rethinking modernity and modernism through perspectives that critically address Eurocentrism, colonial histories, temporality, and cultural periodisation. It also encourages engagement with material cultures, artistic production, and social movements within broader theoretical and methodological frameworks.
The position integrates research, teaching, and institutional leadership within one of Europe’s leading art universities, contributing to the development of the Master's in Critical Studies program and shaping future directions in art theory and cultural analysis.
The Role Overview
- Position: University Professorship (Senior Academic Role)
- Contract Type: Fixed-term (5 years, with possibility of extension/permanent appointment)
- Start Date: 1 October 2027
- Salary: Approx. €6,713.30 gross/month (A1 collective agreement)
- Reports to: Institute for Art Theory and Cultural Studies (IKW), Academy governance structures
- Programme Context: Teaching, research, supervision of MA and PhD candidates, academic governance
- Working Structure: Full-time academic employment with teaching and institutional responsibilities
This is a high-level Education and Job position combining research leadership with institutional responsibility in an internationally recognized academic environment.
Position & Tasks
The appointed professor will undertake a broad range of academic and institutional duties:
Teaching & Research
- Deliver university-level courses (minimum 8 hours per week) in Modern Art Theory
- Conduct advanced research in Art History and interdisciplinary cultural studies
- Supervise MA theses, diploma projects, and doctoral dissertations
- Develop innovative curricula in Critical Studies
Institutional Development
- Contribute to the strategic development of the IKW Institute
- Participate in university self-administration and academic committees
- Engage in interdisciplinary and public-facing academic programs
Academic Leadership
- Publish internationally and maintain a strong research profile
- Develop research proposals and contribute to funding initiatives
- Participate in conferences, symposia, and global academic networks
- Foster dialogue between theoretical, artistic, and cultural practices
Categories
- Art History
- Research
- Writing
- Curatorial Practice
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Education
- Art Management
- Cultural Studies
Eligibility
- Open to international applicants
- Doctoral degree required (or equivalent qualification in art/cultural studies)
- Postdoctoral qualification (Habilitation or equivalent) required
- Proven academic expertise in Modern Art Theory
- Strong international publication and research profile
- Experience in higher education teaching
- Competence in interdisciplinary and transnational research contexts
- Knowledge of English and/or German (with willingness to learn the other language)
- Commitment to anti-discriminatory academic practice
- Willingness to relocate to Vienna
Program Benefits
- Full-time salaried University Professorship
- Long-term academic contract (5 years, renewable or permanent option)
- Leadership role in shaping Modern Art History discourse
- Access to international research networks and institutional collaborations
- Stable academic salary within the Austrian public university system
- Opportunity to influence curriculum, research agendas, and doctoral training
- High institutional visibility in European and global art academia
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Cover letter
- Curriculum Vitae (including research projects)
- Full list of publications
- Concept for academic positioning and field development
- Teaching concept outlining methodology and pedagogical approach
- Proof of teaching experience
- Statement on anti-discriminatory academic practice
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 22 May 2026
- Start Date: 1 October 2027
- Contract Duration: 5 years (initial term)
- Selection & Appointment: Post-application evaluation period (timeline not specified)
Location
Vienna, Austria
Additional Details
- Strong institutional emphasis on equality, inclusion, and anti-discrimination
- Encourages applications from underrepresented groups, including women and disabled scholars
- Intersectional approach to diversity is explicitly prioritised
- Travel and relocation costs are not reimbursed
- Active participation in governance and institutional committees is mandatory
- Requires engagement in both internal academic work and public intellectual activity
- Strong expectation of international academic networking and collaboration