Professorship and Head of MA Digital Communication Environments

The Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW is looking for a new head of its Master programme Digital Communication Environments. This involves a professorship with a focus on digital communication, Al, digital cultures, digital networks and media design.

Your tasks
The Institute Digital Communication Environments (IDCE) at the Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW (HGK Basel) comprises a Bachelor’s degree program (Visual Communication and Digital Spaces), a Master’s degree programme (Digital Communication Environments) and a research and continuing education division.

Your responsibilities include:
–Leadership of the MA Programme Digital Communication Environments, including strategic planning, budget and personnel management, as well as overseeing its development and implementation.
–Active role in the IDCE leadership team, contributing to internal and external committee work.
–Strategic positioning and networking of the MA Digital Communication Environments on both regional and international levels.
–Acquisition of third-party funding for research projects, publication of scholarly work, and dissemination of research findings through conferences, festivals, and exhibitions.
–Advancement of theoretical frameworks, learning methodologies, and practices in Digital Communication Environments, with a focus on strengthening education and research in the field.
–Active contribution to the strategic development of the IDCE, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration
–Integration of research and teaching within the MA Digital Communication Environments and across other MA programmes, as well as supervision of PhD candidates within the MAKE/SENSE PhD programme.

Your profile
You hold a university degree (MA) and a doctorate (PhD) or have several years of equivalent distinguished international research experience in a design discipline or related field.

Furthermore, you meet the following criteria:
–You have several years of distinguished teaching, practice and research experience, in particular in one or more of the following areas: Digital Communication, Visual and Spatial Communication, AI, UX/UI Design, Interaction Design, Digital Cultures, Digital Networks and Media Design.
–You have extensive leadership experience, incl. human resources, finance, strategy and development.
–You can demonstrate high-quality research results and have already successfully acquired third-party funding for research projects.
–You have experience with innovative teaching methods and the implementation of high-quality, research-led and practice-orientated teaching.
–You have excellent communication and organisational skills.
–You hold a qualification in higher education didactics or are willing to acquire this within the first few years.
–You possess excellent German and English language skills in both spoken and written form, or the willingness to acquire these skills during the first years.

The FHNW strives to increase the proportion of women in professorships and in leadership positions. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive learning environment that actively promotes equity, inclusion, and social justice, and therefore seek candidates whose experience, teaching philosophies, and scholarly practice will help to expand and support this commitment.

Your prospects:
FHNW professors shape their activities along their field of expertise, shaping it through their experiences and interests. The integration into an institute or a study program promotes professional exchange and interdisciplinary cooperation across universities. The flexible working conditions allow employees a high degree of self-determination and personal responsibility.

We look forward to your application by June 30, 2025.

Start Date: per January 1, 2027 or by agreement. Workplace: Basel.

Will you soon be part of our team?
Please send your documents via the corresponding online advertisement to Nadja Brunazzi, HR Lead, nadja.brunazzi [​at​] fhnw.ch. For any questions and information on the job profile, please contact Prof. Dr. Claudia Perren, Director HGK Basel, claudia.perren [​at​] fhnw.ch.

About the Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW
We aspire to be an inspiring and ambitious academy while being welcoming, joyful and transformative. We value the diversity of our student body, encourage collaboration and love surprises. On our campus, we offer studio spaces 24/7, excellently equipped workshops and labs, individual mentoring and counselling, international exchange programmes, open discourse spaces and social infrastructures. Our creative neighbourhood on the Dreispitz, the cultural city of Basel and our geographical location in the three-country triangle make the HGK Basel a unique place to study and work.