Artistic W2-Professor (f/m/d) for Contemporary Dance
We are Hesse’s university for music, theatre and dance and their scholarly fields, and we train students for artistic, pedagogical and academic careers.
We seek creative, committed people who actively contribute their skills, experience and ideas to our international team at the university.
We are looking to appoint an
(Reference number P2025-110)
in Faculty 3 from 01.03.2027.
The teaching load is 18 contact hours per semester week. The salary grade is W2 in accordance with the Hessian Salary Act.
Faculty 3 represents, through its training departments, the artistic diversity of the performing arts with regard to disciplines and genres, public institutions, and the independent scene. The dance department encompasses the degree programmes BAdance and MA CoDE and is a member of the Hessian Theatre Academy.
We are looking for a renowned, internationally well-connected person with in-depth experience in teaching contemporary dance techniques and improvisation practice, as well as curatorial skills based on an expanded understanding of dance and choreography. They are able to design and implement learning processes as anatomically sound, gender-sensitive and inclusive movement practices. They are familiar with current discourses in their field of expertise and are interested in further developing contemporary dance training within the context of higher education.
A teaching concept on the development of competencies in contemporary dance practice and its connection to the professional field must be submitted with the application. The document should be 8,000 to 10,000 characters in length (including spaces) and may be written in German or English.
Your duties:
- Teaching the subjects of contemporary dance techniques, improvisation, choreography / composition, while taking particular account of context-dependency in these subject areas
- Connecting training to current artistic and pedagogic discourses
- Cooperation with the training development team to organise and further develop the degree program
- Guidance and supervision of students in all study phases, including outside of teaching events
- Involvement in aptitude tests and selection processes for access to higher education and the admission of applicants, as well as in examinations
- Development and maintenance of networks in the professional field for the purpose of supporting students
- Participation in academic self-governance, elective offices and other official roles
- Implementing the resolutions passed by the university’s governing bodies to safeguard the range of courses offered
- Involvement in the development and implementation of digital learning formats
Requirements set by the university:
- A completed degree in the field of dance or a qualification equivalent to Article 68 Paragraph 5 of the Hessian Higher Education Act
- An outstanding artistic and pedagogic profile
- Artistic achievements gained through several years of relevant, professional activity (at least two years)
- Pedagogic aptitude substantiated by at least two years’ teaching experience at the university level
- Experience teaching contemporary dance techniques, improvisation practice and choreographic creation
- Experience in the conception and implementation of learning processes as anatomically sound, gender-sensitive and inclusive movement practices
- Proficiency in spoken and written English and German (equivalent to upper intermediate / B2 level)
- Teamwork skills, including problem-solving and conflict management skills
Advantageous are:
Experience with innovative pedagogical methods (including reflective processes, movement research, somatic approaches, feedback cultures, digital teaching)
Curatorial experience based on an expanded understanding of choreography and dance
Knowledge of theoretical discourses in dance and dance training, as well as experience with exchange formats between theory and practice
Experience with transdisciplinary teaching and cooperation
Management experience
Choreographic competence
Interest in research
An international network
Professional proficiency in German (equivalent to advanced / C1 level)
Expected within the scope of the professorship:
- Willingness to engage in one’s own continued education in higher education didactics
- Identification with the HfMDK’s mission statement and development goals
- Interest in cross-departmental and interdisciplinary cooperation
- A strong presence at the university and within the field of specialization
- Reflection on one’s own practice, including engagement with departmental research interests and the broader context of artistic research
- A clear stance against discrimination and the abuse of power, and in favour of inclusion and diversity
The most suitable applicants will be invited to teaching demonstration and an interview that are planned to take place between July 8 and 10, 2026.
The HfMDK values diversity and tolerance and promotes gender equality for all genders. We support our employees in balancing work and family life. We explicitly welcome applications from women with appropriate qualifications.
People with disabilities in the sense of Article 2 Paragraphs 2 and 3 of the German Social Code, Book IX will be favoured if other qualifications are the same.
The employment requirements under Articles 67 and 68 of the Hessian Higher Education Act apply. The position is intended to be filled on a permanent basis. In the case of a first appointment to a professorship, employment will initially be based on a civil servant probationary period or a fixed-term employment relationship. Transition to a permanent employment relationship is intended following successful completion of the probationary period.