The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. With 56,000 students and 6,600 employees, the university is a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.
The University of Gothenburg is Sweden’s only university with practice-based research spanning the artistic fields of design, visual art, film and photography, as well as craft, literary composition, curatorial practices, and art education.
The Artistic Faculty comprises two departments:
HDK-Valand – Academy of Art and Design
Academy of Music and Drama
In addition, the faculty hosts the international publication platform and biennial conference PARSE (Platform for Artistic Research Sweden), which fosters dialogue between interdisciplinary artistic practitioners and researchers.
HDK-Valand’s research environment values a broad and inclusive approach whereby knowledge is produced within established research formats, experimental artistic practices, and education. Our research contributes to discourses on environmental, societal, and cultural challenges through engagement in interdisciplinary projects.
Four research themes—politics, the environment, economics, and materiality—operate as focus areas to facilitate collaboration between different subjects and actors, and to provide a broad base for both research and teaching.
An overarching objective at HDK-Valand is the development of a complete academic environment grounded in these themes.
With the challenges facing society today, education and research in the artistic field are more important than ever. Art provides perspective, critical tools, meaning, and hope. The Artistic Faculty is a driving force in art, culture, and learning, as well as in creativity and innovation in a broader sense.
We are a locally based and globally oriented place for art, knowledge, criticality, vision, and transformation. Art and culture are for everyone, and we are a hub that brings together cultural practitioners, cultural institutions, creative industries, and wider civil society.
Our goal is to be a house with many entrances and even more exits.
Photography
Photography generates images using light and has a strong technical side that has influenced and continues to influence the development and use of photography in various ways. It is a form of imagery produced and circulated across most areas of society, serving artistic, scientific, journalistic, and social purposes. Photography depicts and constructs different realities, with a strong and often controversial link to questions of evidence and truth.
At HDK-Valand, the subject of photography rests on an artistic foundation but also encompasses a broader understanding of the medium and its applications, integrating both practice-based skills and theoretical perspectives.
University studies in photography aim to deepen knowledge of creating, reflecting on, and distributing photography in both artistic and broader contexts, while increasing understanding of its function in art and society—both contemporary and historical.
Teaching focuses on student-driven projects, critical dialogue, and peer learning. Creative work is integrated with photo-historical and theoretical studies. Great importance is placed on developing the ability to communicate one’s work in cultural, artistic, and other contexts.
The subject of Photography at HDK-Valand constitutes a complete environment, offering education at basic, advanced, and research levels, with ongoing research and strong links between teaching and research.
As a professor at HDK-Valand, you will help develop our complete environment, where research and education are in close dialogue. Based on your own artistic practice in photography, you will contribute knowledge and experience to the department’s environment.
You are expected to:
Engage in and contribute to the development of education in photography.
Take a leading role in developing future educational programmes.
Show openness to interdisciplinary collaboration within and beyond the Academy.
Contribute to teaching at all levels and support teaching methods relevant to artistic practices.
Create conditions for your own and others’ research and artistic development.
Support and mentor colleagues, or lead a team within a research theme or platform.
Participate in the University’s internal work, including committees, councils, editorial tasks, and public events.
Maintain an outward-facing role, where your knowledge and research contribute to society.
The position includes 20% of full-time dedicated to your own research.
Eligibility for employment as a teacher is regulated in Chapter 4 of the Higher Education Ordinance and the University of Gothenburg’s appointment procedure.
Applicants must demonstrate both artistic and pedagogical expertise.
The position requires:
Extensive experience in teaching and programme/course development at advanced level.
Artistic competence at an international level in Photography.
Fluency in spoken and written English, with experience teaching in English at university level.
Applicants should have experience teaching at all levels of higher education and an active artistic practice, demonstrated through production, publication, and public engagement. A strong national and international network is desirable.
A visible and peer-valued artistic and professional practice.
In-depth knowledge of photography, including older and newer techniques.
A practice relevant to the education and research conducted within the Department.
Documented and solid experience in programme and curriculum development.
Documented experience in lecturing, supervising, and examining in higher education.
Proven ability to convey knowledge and engagement in the field of photography.
Experience in international photographic and artistic contexts.
Willingness to complete university teaching courses within two years if not already done.
Commitment to learning Swedish if not already fluent, as it is important for collegial collaboration.
The position will be offered to the candidate who, after overall assessment, is best suited to carry out the duties and contribute to the positive development of HDK-Valand.
Type: Permanent
Extent: 50% of full time
Location: HDK-Valand, Gothenburg, Sweden
Start date: 1 January 2026 or as agreed
Working hours are based at HDK-Valand in Gothenburg. Remote work from abroad is not possible.
International applicants should consult:
Welcome Services, University of Gothenburg
Website: https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services
Head of Department: Klara Björk
Email: klara.bjork@gu.se
HR Contact: hr@hdk-valand.gu.se
Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here:
https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande
Applications may be reviewed by international experts. It is recommended that applications and appendices be written in English. If written in Swedish, translation may occur, and the department assumes no responsibility for translation errors.
Apply via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that applications are complete and received by the university no later than the closing date.
Publications that cannot be uploaded digitally should be sent to:
HDK-Valand HR
Ref: PAR 2025/105
Box 131
S-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
Application deadline: 20 November 2025
For general information about living and working in Gothenburg:
https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/
The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions and values the qualities that diversity brings.
Salaries are set individually at the University.
In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. Applicants may request their documents back after this period; otherwise, they will be destroyed.
The University has already chosen recruitment channels for this position and declines further contact with vendors, recruitment, and staffing companies.
In your application, please refer to Professorpositions.com