Senior Lecturer Photography and Visual Culture

Organisation/Company KU LEUVEN Research Field Arts » Fine arts Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Application Deadline 4 Jan 2027 - 23:59 (UTC) Country Belgium Type of Contract To be defined Job Status Part-time Offer Starting Date 1 Sep 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number ZAP-2026-44 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Your assignment encompasses research and teaching duties within LUCA campus Genk, primarily within the academic Bachelor's and Master's programs in Photography, and the Future Scenarios team.

Research

As a senior lecturer, you dedicate 50% of your appointment to research.

From within the field of photography, both theoretically and practice-based, you develop a future-oriented research practice in photography and visual culture. You investigate how images shape meaning, visibility, representation, and public imagination, and how image practices can question, shift, or expand dominant perspectives. In doing so, you pay attention to the ways in which images operate within broader social, cultural, historical, ecological, and technological contexts and across diverse communities.

Together with colleagues, you contribute to the development of a research group of doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, produce internationally relevant research output, and attract national and European external funding for further research. The status of Special Guest Lecturer in the Arts allows you to supervise doctoral research in the arts and research projects within KU Leuven. You strengthen the research trajectory within the Photography program by further embedding academic and research skills into the curriculum and by intensively supervising Master’s students in their theses and graduation projects.

You teach students to critically analyse and contextualise images within broader social, cultural, and historical frameworks. You stimulate reflection on how image systems shape meaning, visibility, and credibility, while supporting students in developing their own artistic and research-oriented position.

You design and deliver teaching that introduces students to a wide range of artistic and theoretical perspectives, including non-Western, Indigenous, diasporic, and marginalized voices.

The position extends beyond teaching, supervision, and assessment. Together with colleagues, you develop educational and learning activities in line with the curriculum and profile of the program. You actively contribute to educational quality and act as an ambassador for LUCA towards prospective students, alumni, and external partners. Scientific, societal, and internal service provision are also part of the assignment, as well as professional development and international networking.

Finally, you are also expected to take on a leading role within LUCA at certain times. You hold a PhD and/or have additional experience as a postdoctoral researcher.

You have built a strong artistic research portfolio with academic/peer-reviewed publications.

You have a leading international network and experience in applying for external research funding.

You closely follow current developments in contemporary photography and visual culture.

Your artistic and theoretical practice critically reflects on dominant Western frameworks while drawing on diverse cultural, epistemological, and artistic traditions.

You possess social and educational skills, are collegial and communicative, and continue to develop yourself.

You act respectfully and with integrity, in line with LUCA’s code of conduct. You contribute to an inclusive work and study environment; you are open to different opinions, and value diversity between individuals and groups as an asset.

You are able to teach in Dutch (C1) or English (B1). If necessary, you are willing to further develop your skills in both languages. Those who do not yet speak Dutch commit to achieving level B2 within five years. LUCA offers the necessary training opportunities for this.

You are willing to work on the campus in Genk.

You work collegially, contribute to a constructive team atmosphere, and are committed to curriculum development. You closely follow current developments within contemporary photography and visual culture.

You create a safe, inclusive, and stimulating learning environment.

You are loyal and endorse LUCA’s mission, vision and policy.

This vacancy is for a statutory appointment of indefinite duration for 80% vacant position with the rank of “docent (OP3)” at LUCA School of Arts. A tenured position can be applied for in due course. In addition, you will acquire the status of special guest lecturer in the arts within KU Leuven for a first term of five years.

The remuneration is paid in s