Senior Lecturer Photography and Visual Culture

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven; Genk; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Commuting reimbursement

Teacher's card

Discounts through joint purchase

Hospitalization insurance

Job summary

LUCA School of Arts, Campus Genk, seeks a senior lecturer in Photography and Visual Culture. The role covers research, teaching, and service, with 50% research time and supervision of doctoral work within the Future Scenarios team.

The appointment is 80% of a full position, at rank docent (OP3), with potential to become tenured. You will join a dynamic, inclusive community and may pursue external funding and collaboration with KU Leuven.

Qualifications

• Must hold a PhD and/or have postdoctoral experience.
• Strong artistic research portfolio with peer‑reviewed publications.
• Leading international network and experience in applying for external research funding.

Responsibilities

• Research and teach within LUCA Campus Genk in Photography and Visual Culture.
• Supervise Master’s theses and contribute to curriculum development.
• Contribute to a research group and attract external funding; lead initiatives.

Skills

Artistic research

International network

Research leadership

Curriculum development

Teaching

Dutch/English language flexibility

Collaboration

Education

PhD or equivalent

Job description

LUCA School of Arts is a creative hub for almost 5,000 people: more than 4,000 students and 800 colleagues. LUCA offers them an educational and research environment to further develop their creative talent. We do this by offering higher education in the broad domain of the arts, and through artistic research, embedded within an associated Faculty of Arts at KU Leuven. LUCA has campuses in four cities: Ghent, Brussels, Leuven and Genk. LUCA is a member of the KU Leuven Association and the European University Alliance FilmEU.

The Photography program at LUCA School of Arts, Campus Genk, encourages students to develop the photographic medium as a critical, research-driven, and socially embedded artistic practice within a changing visual culture. The program places artistic experimentation, reflection, and research at its core, with particular attention to the role of images in broader social, cultural, and technological contexts.

Within the Art & Society expertise network and the Future Scenarios team, Campus Genk, LUCA School of Arts is seeking a senior-lecturer in Photography and Visual Culture. You have a particular interest in image practices that question, shift, or expand dominant ways of seeing, representing, and producing meaning. You investigate how images shape meaning, visibility, credibility, and public imagination, and how they can create space for plural, situated, and diverse perspectives.

The proposed start date is 1September2027.

Main location: Campus Genk.

Research

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.

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.

Teaching

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.

Service

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.

Profile

• 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.

Offer

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 salary scale 528.

Commuting by public transport or by bicycle is reimbursed, you get a teacher's card, discounts through joint purchase, and the option to take out hospitalization insurance at a favorable rate.

You will find yourself in an environment where respect and integrity define our basic attitude, where we see sustainability and diversity as an asset, and where quality is our driving force.

LUCA wants all talents to develop to the fullest, regardless of gender, age, cultural origin, nationality or disability. We therefore welcome all talented people who recognize the added value of diversity and want to help shape an inclusive organization.

Contact

More information about this vacancy can be obtained via Vrancken Kristof, Teamcoördinator Future Scenarios, [e-mail].

https://info.luca-arts.be/nl

You can apply for this job no later than January042027.

Equal Opportunity Statement

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.

Salary scale 528