W 2 Professorship (m/f/d), Aesthetics and Art Theory

The University of Kassel is a modern and growing university with around 22,000 students. The university’s wide range of expertise covers subjects in the natural, applied, cultural, and social sciences.

The Kunsthochschule Kassel is seeking a highly qualified individual for the following position:

W 2 Professorship (m/f/d), Aesthetics and Art Theory

The program of Art History and Aesthetics at the Kunsthochschule Kassel and the Institute for Philosophy at the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Kassel are seeking a person to represent the field of “Aesthetics and Art Theory” in its historical and systematic breadth in research and teaching at both departments. The position begins on October 1, 2026. The successful candidate must be able to show strong scholarship in his or her own research in the area of aesthetics in history and the present, above all for the period between around 1750 to contemporary art theory. With regard to research, the candidate should also have engaged in the research area ‘theory and practice of the curatorial,’ one of the central research fields at the Kunsthochschule, and should be able to indicate how his or her work connects to the research emphases at the Institute for Philosophy.

The teaching aspect concerns the art theory components of the BA and MA study programs in the department of Art History and Aesthetics at the Kunsthochschule, as well as all the teaching, BA, and MA programs in the philosophy section at the Faculty of Humanities. For this reason, the professorship is primarily housed at the Kunsthochschule with a secondary affiliation with the Faculty of Humanities (Institute for Philosophy) at the University of Kassel. Since the professorship is also meant to take part in the theoretical aspects of the artistic and design programs at the Kunsthochschule, it is desirable that the teaching is compatible with the area of contemporary art discourse as a way to provide impulses for projects, discussions, and events throughout the Kunsthochschule.

The requirements are a completed university degree in philosophy, a relevant doctorate, and outstanding publications in relation to the position. Academic qualifications for fulfilling the duties of the position must be proven by means of a Habilitation degree in the field of philosophy or additional academic achievements in the field of philosophy. Applicants must demonstrate their ability and qualifications in teaching, and must be able to demonstrate their pedagogical aptitude and experience in teaching. The Kunsthochschule is marked by the close proximity and exchange between the programs in Visual Arts, Art Education, Art History and Aesthetics, Visual Communication, and Product Design. The candidate should therefore show a willingness to work within this context and to take an active part in the conceptual development of the Kunsthochschule Kassel. Participation in academic self-management is one of the duties of the position.

The teaching load of the professorship is currently 8 semester hours per week (according to LVerpflV HE, Hessische Lehrverpflichtungsverordnung).

The prerequisites for employment and performance requirements are determined by §§ 67, 68 of the Higher Education Act of the Federal State of Hesse.

Please use the online form to submit your application with the usual and relevant documentation.

In the event of any differences between the German and English versions of this call for application, the German wording is legally binding.

Please send your application with the usual informative documents, stating the reference number in the subject line, via the online form. We have compiled further information for you. In exceptional cases, we will also accept your application documents in paper form or via e-mail, stating the reference number. In the case of postal applications, please submit only copies of your documents (no folders), as these cannot be returned. All documents will be destroyed after completion of the selection process in compliance with data regulations. The protection of your personal information is very important to us, so we will handle your personal information with care. By your application, you allow us the storage and use in the sense of the Hessian Data Protection and Freedom of Information Act. You can object to this at any time. Your personal data will be deleted.

Information according to Art. 13 DSGVO for the application process at the University of Kassel can be found at:

The University of Kassel is very interested in the professional satisfaction of its employees. It is distinguished as a family-friendly university and, in the interests of equal opportunities, strives to offer everyone the same opportunities for development and to counteract existing disadvantages. It promotes the Family Welcome Service and also the Dual Career Service for positions that are scientifically and academically filled. One of the strategic goals of the University of Kassel is to significantly increase the proportion of women in research and teaching. Applications from women are therefore particularly welcome. Seriously handicapped and equivalent applicants are given preference if they have the same suitability, qualifications, and professional performance. Full-time positions are generally divisible (except when filling civil servant positions).