Zürcher Hochschule der Künste
Zürich
Professor of Art Education (80%)
- 18 June 2026
- 80%
- Permanent position
- Zürich
About the job
The Zurich University of the Arts ZHdK, with around 2100 bachelor’s and master’s students, is one of the most important art universities in Europe. The study and research areas include Art Education, Cultural Critique, Design, Film, Fine Arts, Music, Dance, Theatre and Transdisciplinarity. Located in the heart of Zurich, ZHdK is a dynamic place where passionate people from over 75 countries work, study, teach, research and continue their education. The university includes numerous exhibition and performance venues where students’ project work is publicly presented.
The Department of Cultural Analysis and Mediation (DKV) combines teaching and research in the fields of Art Education, Transdisciplinarity, Cultural Critique and Aesthetics. It educates over 300 students in various degree programmes and contributes to innovation and societal discourse through artistic, artistically-scientific and scientific approaches in research.
For the Art Education area we are seeking to fill the position from 1 February 2027
Professor of Art Education (80%)
The Art Education area at the Zurich University of the Arts combines teaching, research and support for young academics in the field of art education and mediation. This includes the Master’s in Art Education with the majors Art Education and Critical Social Practice in Art Education, the Bachelor’s in Art Education as well as minor offerings in Art Education, the Art Education research, and the doctoral programme in Subject Didactics and Mediation in the Arts. The professorship is situated within this overall context. It contributes through teaching and research to the further development of the artistic-educational practice of art education, with a particular focus on the subject teaching of Visual Arts at upper secondary level (Sekundarstufe II).
Your tasks
You will shape art education in the Art Education area through research and teaching. The focus is on addressing art educational questions at the intersection of art, education and society, as well as co-designing sustainable forms of artistic education.
By establishing and further developing an independent research profile in art education, you will take a central role in Art Education research at ZHdK. You will initiate and lead research projects, acquire third-party funding and participate in the doctoral programme Subject Didactics and Mediation in the Arts. In addition to your own teaching and supervision of theses, you will contribute your expertise to the profile and curriculum development of the Art Education major in the Master’s programme as well as other study offerings in the Art Education area.
You will bring art educational perspectives into university-wide development and cooperation projects and take a leading role in the interdisciplinary strengthening of mediation in the arts. In doing so, you will work closely with other professors, study coordinators and leaders in the Art Education area as well as other stakeholders inside and outside the university.
You will participate in institutional development processes and committee work, engage in quality assurance and portfolio design within the framework of ZHdK’s major-minor model, and contribute to the national and international networking of the Art Education area.
Your profile – professional qualifications
Your profile – university and research experience
You also have:
Your own artistic practice is welcome.
Master’s degree in Art Education, Art Education or teaching qualification for Visual Arts at upper secondary level (Gymnasium)
- Doctorate in Art Education or Art Didactics
- A recognised art educational research profile relevant to contemporary art teaching
- Own teaching experience in the subject Visual Arts at upper secondary level
- Experience in university teaching
- Sound knowledge of the Swiss education system or willingness to acquire this quickly
Your profile – university and research experience
You are experienced and successful in:
- Leading and conducting research projects
- Acquiring third-party funding and grants
- Developing and profiling study programmes
- Committee work and institutional development processes
You also have:
- a sustainable network in art, education and mediation (national and international)
- willingness to supervise doctoral projects
- interest in inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration in teaching and research
- motivation to actively and cooperatively shape the further development of the Art Education area and the university
- excellent German language skills in spoken and written form (language of instruction and committees) as well as good English skills
Your own artistic practice is welcome.
What you can expect from us
We offer an interesting and demanding role in a lively and collegial environment at the Zurich Toni-Areal. We live an inclusive culture and value diversity. The employment conditions are governed by the personnel law of the Canton of Zurich. Additional information about the Zurich University of the Arts can be found at www.zhdk.ch.
The interviews will take place on site on 21 August (first interview) and 3 September 2026 (public university presentation).
Your contact persons for further information:
Prof. Dr Miriam Schmidt-Wetzel ( miriam.schmidtwetzel@zhdk.ch ), Acting Head of the Department of Cultural Analysis and Mediation Martin Muhler ( martin.muhler@zhdk.ch ), HR Business Partner DKV
Please submit your complete application documents by 5 July 2026 via the "Apply online now" link at the end of this advertisement. Please note that we only accept online applications for this position.
