Bern University of Applied Sciences – Academy of the Arts (HKB) is one of the leading Art Schools in
Europe with a broad range of Bachelor and Master Programmes, a doctoral school Studies in the Arts
(SINTA) and a variety of advanced-level courses. Its four research institutes perform cutting-edge
research on topics related to artistic practice in visual and performing arts, music, theatre, design and
conservation. Conservation with its program in Modern Materials and Media, which looks back at
twenty years of history, is renowned for its practice-oriented and research-based curriculum.
Within the research project Activating Fluxus generously funded by the Swiss National Science
Foundation (SNSF) and situated in the Research Institute Materiality in Art and Culture, we are
seeking to appoint
PhD CANDIDATE 60%
This four-year predoctoral fellowship fosters the academic career of an individual who aspires to obtain
a PhD degree by permitting him or her to pursue supervised research in a collaborative, supportive
environment of a high-profile research project.
The project Activating Fluxus investigates object, events, scores and ephemera that emerged in the
spirit of Fluxus in 1960s–70s in Switzerland, Europe, UK and the US. Inherently fluctuating by
definition, Fluxus rejects a stable, material form. Considering the transitory aspects of Fluxus forms not
destined for preservation, and looking through a multidisciplinary lens of conservation, art history,
performance studies, heritage studies and museology, this project advances novel strategies for
activating Fluxus through the reconstruction, adaptation and the artistic reinterpretation of Fluxus
forms.
The Research Institute Materiality in Art and Culture explores the multitude of connections between the
materiality of art and cultural artefacts, their makers and time, their ongoing lives and existence in
collections. Through material analysis, critical-theoretical approaches, and the pursuit of urgent
inquiries emerging from conservation, the Institute investigates the human-made world and its
expression in culture.
The project Activating Fluxus offers an opportunity to contribute to ground-breaking research supported
by a team of established scholars and artists. The successful candidate should manifest enthusiasm
for and ability to research the emerging area of contemporary conservation with a particular focus on
Fluxus. The successful candidate’s PhD research will be situated at the intersection of art history,
performance studies, visual studies, heritage studies and conservation. The fellow has or is keenly
interested in obtaining project-relevant research skills. They have an established track record of
professional experience in contemporary art conservation ideally manifest in publications equivalent
with the predoctoral level. We seek candidates who can work in a team and meet deadlines, are
committed to excellence and work ethic, and are determined to contribute to the field by delivering an
outstanding dissertation. Excellent communication skills, creative thinking and ability to generate new
ideas are prerequisite for this position. The candidate is both highly engaged with the project’s
questions but also curious about the challenges the project poses in the field. They are able to
communicate confidently with practitioners and academic researchers. Applicants must have a relevant
MA in the area related to conservation of contemporary art or material studies with emphasis on the
discourses of care as well as relevant work experience. This is a 100% FTE, fixed-term residential
position from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2026. The fellow works in close liaison with the Project Lead,
Prof. Dr. Hanna Hölling. Their dissertation project will be situated within the doctoral program Studies
in the Arts (SINTA) and supervised by Prof. Dr. Peter Schneemann, Bern University (primary
supervisor) and the Project Lead (subsidiary supervisor).
Main responsibilities of the doctoral candidate
• Research and deliver an excellent doctoral dissertation that offers a significant contribution to the
research project Activating Fluxus, over 48 months
• Select, research and develop writing on case studies both independently and under supervision
• Participate in project meetings and other project-related events
• Liaise with project team members to discuss, test, and implement the project’s findings
• Contingent on progress and in consultation with the Project Lead, contribute to the dissemination of
the knowledge generated during the project in the form of peer-reviewed publications in an
academic journal and an edited volume as well as oral presentations at academic, professional and
outreach events oriented toward general public
• Deliver other agreed output and champion the research project nationally and internationally
• Create and maintain a website featuring the research project’s progress and relevant academic
activities
• Co-organize project-related workshops, symposia and conferences
• Help co-organize an exhibition
• Have an excellent command of academic and spoken English. Additional proficiency in one of the
Swiss national languages is compulsory
The interviews for this position will be conducted on Tuesday, November 30, 2021. Queries about this
opening can be directed to Prof. Sebastian Dobrusskin at sebastian.dobrusskin@hkb.bfh.ch.
Applications require (1) a cover letter, (2) a statement of research interests and experience, (3) a
curriculum vitae including a list of publications and names and contact information of three academic
referees able to speak to the candidate’s suitability for this post, (4) a draft concept for a Fluxus
exhibition.
Please note that we only accept online applications [LINK], in English or German. The deadline for
applications is November 9, 2021. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Link to an online application.
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW 60%
This four-year postdoctoral fellowship fosters the academic career of a scholar who has recently
received a PhD degree by permitting him or her to pursue research while gaining valuable mentorship.
The research project Activating Fluxus investigates object, events, scores and ephemera that emerged
in the spirit of Fluxus in 1960s–70s in Switzerland, Europe, UK and the US. Inherently fluctuating by
definition, Fluxus rejects a stable, material form. Considering the transitory aspects of Fluxus forms not
destined for preservation, and looking through a multidisciplinary lens of conservation, art history,
performance studies, heritage studies and museology, our project advances novel strategies for
activating Fluxus through the reconstruction, adaptation and the artistic reinterpretation of Fluxus
forms.
The Research Institute Materiality in Art and Culture explores the multitude of connections between the
materiality of art and cultural artefacts, their makers and time, their ongoing lives and their existence in
collections. Through material analysis, critical-theoretical approaches, and the pursuit of urgent
questions emerging from the conservation practice, the Institute researches the human-made world
and its expression in culture.
Commitment
The project Activating Fluxus offers an opportunity to work on ground-breaking research in a team of
established scholars and artists. The successful candidate demonstrates the ability to conduct
independent research in the area of the conservation of contemporary art at the intersection of art
history, performance studies, heritage studies and museology. They reflect critically and independently
on existing sources, engages with current critical and theoretical debates and can work in an
interdisciplinary milieu. They have an established track record of publications and research equivalent
with the postdoctoral level. We seek a candidate who is committed to excellence and high work ethic,
able to work flexibly and dynamically in a team to deliver project results, determined to contribute to
knowledge through academic written and oral publications. They are an excellent communicator and
creative thinker able to generate new ideas and communicate confidently with practitioners and
academic researchers. Importantly, the candidate is both highly engaged with the research project’s
questions but also curious about the challenges the project poses in the field. Applicants have a
relevant PhD or equivalent in the area related to conservation of contemporary art or performance
studies with emphasis on the discourses of care. This is a 60% FTE, fixed-term, residential position
from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2026. The fellow works in close liaison with the Project Lead, Prof. Dr.
Hanna Hölling.
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Main responsibilities of the postdoctoral fellow
§ Deliver an excellent research project within the Performance: Conservation, Materiality,
Knowledge initiative in collaboration with other team members, over 48 months
§ Work independently on case studies and support other members of the project team
§ Collaborate with project team members to discuss, test, and implement the project’s findings
§ Develop advanced skills in the wider field of conservation—via the reconstruction, adaptation,
reinterpretation of Fluxus forms—its associated discourses and related systems of documentation
and archive
§ Research, write and publish articles, book chapters and other academic contributions at the
highest of academic standards in peer-reviewed academic journals and edited volumes; possibly
co-conceive of, and contribute to, and edited volume
§ Participate in project meetings and other project-related events
§ Co-organize and contribute to workshops, symposia and conferences or other means of
communication and dissemination of the project for a wide range of audiences
§ Share knowledge and expertise developed in relation to the project at the University and across its
departments
§ Play a significant role in the planning, designing, and the maintenance of the project’s website
featuring its outputs and disseminating its key findings
§ Play a significant role in co-organization of an exhibition
§ Deliver other agreed output such as writing oriented at the general public and professional
readership and champion the research nationally and internationally
§ Have an excellent command of academic and spoken English and proficiency in one of the Swiss
national languages
The interviews for this position will be conducted on November 30, 2021. Queries about this opening
can be directed to Prof. Sebastian Dobrusskin at sebastian.dobrusskin@hkb.bfh.ch.
Applications require (1) a cover letter, (2) a statement of research interests and experience, (3) a
curriculum vitae including a list of publications and names and contact information of three academic
referees able to speak to the candidate’s suitability for this post, (4) a draft concept for a Fluxus
exhibition.
Please note that we only accept online applications [LINK], in English or German. The deadline for
applications is November 9, 2021. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Link to an online application.
