University professorship

The following position is being advertised at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna:

University professorship

in accordance with § 98 Austrian University Act 2002 (Universitätsgesetz 2002) at the Institute for Conservation-Restoration (IKR) with a study focus on wood/historic musical instruments. This full-time professorship is offered for a period of five years, starting on 1 October 2027. Before expiry of the fixed-term contract, an application for an extended or permanent contract can be submitted.

Applicants are expected to have proven expertise in the conservation-restoration of movable and immovable cultural heritage objects made of wood. The Institute’s strategic goal is to further develop its focus on wood toward the conservation and restoration of objects and listed cultural heritage with particular emphasis on sustainability, climate strategies, and materials research. Expertise in the treatment of historical and contemporary objects and ensembles, as well as contemporary interior design, and knowledge of current discourses on the handling of anthropological collections and global heritage are desirable.

The training program at the Institute for Conservation-Restoration combines theory and practice in the conservation-restoration of cultural heritage across its broadest possible spectrum. We work in close cooperation with the Academy’s artistic, cultural, and natural science institutes, with a focus on the Academy’s strategic priorities in the areas of sustainability and decolonization.

The Institute is currently undergoing significant spatial and structural development. In February 2028, it will relocate to a new building at the Vienna Arsenal, specifically designed to meet the requirements of research, teaching, and practice. This will create a forward-looking new location for the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, highlighting the connection between innovative research, technological development, and cultural heritage. The modern infrastructure will enable the advertised professorship to actively shape the institute’s further development and tap into new potential for research, teaching, international collaboration, and knowledge transfer (see also https://www.akbild.ac.at/en/news/2026/ballonhalle-ground-breaking-ceremony-for-a-modern-institute-building-for-the-academy-in-the-vienna-arsenal?set_language=en). 

Areas of responsibility

• subject-specific, scientific, and practice-oriented research within the study focus wood/historic musical instruments
• forward-looking further development of the study focus wood/historic musical instruments within an international scientific context
• active participation in shaping the institute’s strategic development
• supervision and support of emerging researchers and artists
• independent conduct of teaching and exams
• supervision of academic theses (diploma theses and dissertations)
• development of international collaborations and research networks
• development, participation in, and implementation of (third-party funded) research projects
• active publication and presentation activities
• participation in organizational, administrative, and committee tasks, as well as in quality development and evaluation measures in teaching and research

Conditions of employment

• a university degree in conservation-restoration with a related doctoral degree or proof of an equivalent academic qualification (see below)
• proof of subject-specific publications
• experience in research-based, interdisciplinary collaboration – both within the academic sector and with/within museums – on current discourses in conservation-restoration
• outstanding practical professional experience in the conservation-restoration of wooden objects, including several years of experience outside the academic sector
• proven experience in international research collaborations, as well as the ability to further develop networks and partnerships for research and teaching
• academic teaching experience as well as the ability and knowledge to implement new, innovative, and forward-looking methods in teaching and research
• reflective, communicative, and critical skills in the areas of methodology and documentation
• teamwork, conflict resolution, and communication skills to implement solutions collaboratively and through division of labor
• experience with and willingness to take on organizational tasks, both in academic self-administration (including committees) as well as in matters of study operations
• very good written and spoken language skills in German and/or English; the willingness to acquire German language skills is required soon after appointment, enabling participation in the management of the institute and in university committees as well as teaching
• general anti-discriminatory understanding and the willingness to further improve these skills
• Active participation in academic life at the Academy requires regular on-site presence.

In case of long-term employment, the Academy expects the candidate to relocate to Vienna.

Teaching responsibilities include hands-on instruction on actual objects (central artistic subject) and individual supervision of students within the study focus wood/historic musical instruments totaling 16 hours, as well as conducting courses on the theory and practice of conservation-restoration.

The monthly gross salary according to the collective bargaining agreement for university employees in salary group A1 for full-time employment is currently Euro 6.713,30.

Interested parties please apply by enclosing the following documents by 25 October 2026 via www.akbild.ac.at/jobs: 

(1) cover letter, (2) detailed CV, (3) publication list, (4) reference projects, (5) concept for the positioning and further development of the study focus within the advertised field, (6) academic teaching concept on the motivation, contents and intentions of teaching as well as proof of teaching experience appropriate to the position, (7) statement on the applicant’s anti-discriminatory understanding of teaching, research and academic self-administration.

In case applicants do not hold a doctoral degree in the relevant field, they may alternatively submit an expert opinion attesting to achievements equivalent to a doctoral degree. The evaluation must recognize the applicant’s scholarly achievements and demonstrate that they are equivalent to a doctoral degree in terms of scope, quality, originality, and scholarly independence. The evaluation must be prepared by a tenured university professor or a person with equivalent scholarly qualifications in the relevant field.

Please direct any inquiries to the chair of the institute Prof. Dr. Carolin Bohlmann: c.bohlmann@akbild.ac.at

The Academy of Fine Arts Vienna is committed to a learning, teaching, research and working environment of equal opportunities and works towards the elimination of discrimination and structural barriers. The Academy therefore explicitly endorses applications from qualified persons who are structurally disadvantaged due to their gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion or ideology or their age. Special consideration is required if a person combines several grounds of discrimination (intersectional approach).

The Academy of Fine Arts Vienna strives to increase the representation of women and strongly encourages applications from qualified women. Furthermore, the Academy strives to create application and working conditions that are as accessible as possible. In this context, the Academy actively supports the application of people with disabilities. Applicants may contact the Human Resources Department or the Academy's disability representatives in advance. Applicants are not entitled to compensation for travel and accommodation costs incurred in relation to the admission procedure.