Call for application for the Inter-University Doctoral School “Cultures in Transformation”

The Inter-University Organization Arts & Knowledges of Paris Lodron University and Mozarteum University Salzburg is specialized in research, teaching, and communication on the multifaceted relationship between the arts and areas of knowledges across various disciplines. In this context, a four-year Doctoral School on the topic of “Cultures in Transformation” was established in winter semester 2024/25. One of the seven dissertation positions in the Doctoral School is now being advertised.

The field of the Doctoral School situates itself at the interface between academia and art, and its goal is to contribute to the development and expansion of knowledge in both areas. The academic dissertation projects led by candidates deal with phenomena, concepts, and processes of social change in the context of the arts and their public spheres. In terms of their thematic and methodological orientation, their aim is to combine exploratory and research approaches both from academic disciplines and from cultural, curatorial, and artistic fields of practice. The call is aimed at doctoral candidates whose dissertation projects are situated at the interface of arts and academia and are at an advanced stage.

In line with the objectives of the Inter-University Organization Arts & Knowledges, the program is transdisciplinary and offers a framework for networked research and work. The Doctoral School promotes and imparts theoretical understanding and methodological skills at doctoral level. In particular, the relationship between theoretical and practical aspects of the arts and cultural forms of articulation are explored. The aim is to provide doctoral students with the support they need to make an independent contribution to academic and artistic research.

The candidate’s academic project should address the topic of “Cultures in Transformation.” Thematic and methodological connections to one or more focus areas of the Inter-University Organization are encouraged but not mandatory:

•      Figurations of Transition
•      InterMediation. Music – Effect – Analysis
•      Society & Sustainability | Contemporary Arts and Cultural Production

Doctoral students will be enrolled in the Inter-University Doctoral Program in Arts & Knowledges (University of Salzburg and Mozarteum University). After successful graduation, the academic degree Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) will be issued.

•      Start of the enrolment: 1 October 2025
•      Contract duration: 36 months
•      Main responsibilities: scientific work with the aim of obtaining a doctorate within the context of the Doctoral School. Participation and collaboration in the school’s events, active involvement in joint colloquia, discussion rounds, public events, and networked project work.
•      A 50% on-site presence is expected; core working hours are on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Fully equipped workstations are available.

Prerequisites:
Admission to the doctoral programme requires the completion of a relevant diploma or master’s degree at a university, or a university of applied sciences, or another relevant degree of at least the same higher education level at a recognized domestic or foreign post-secondary educational institution. The inter-university doctoral program is primarily held in German. A command of the German language at language level B2 according to A Common European Framework of Reference for Languages CEFR 2001 of the Council of Europe is required. The dissertation itself can be written in English (or another language in justified cases) in consultation with the supervisors. Academic staff from the Paris Lodron University Salzburg and/or the Mozarteum University Salzburg must be represented in the constellation of supervisors for the dissertation. The willingness to change supervisors is expected.

General information: The advertised position is one of seven PhD positions (50%) in the Doctoral School; admission is in accordance with § 28 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement for University Staff / employment group B1. The minimum monthly salary for this position is: € 1.857,40 gross.

The Paris Lodron University of Salzburg and the Mozarteum University of Salzburg are striving to increase the proportion of women and therefore expressly encourage qualified women to apply.
People with disabilities or chronic illnesses who fulfil the required qualification criteria are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information, please call +43/662/8044-2465 or visit disability@sbg.ac.at.
We value diversity and therefore welcome all applications—regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social background, religion/belief, disability, age, sexual orientation, and identity.

The admission interviews will take place on 17 September 2025 in presence in Salzburg.
Travelling and accommodation expenses arising from the admission procedure cannot be covered.

Required application documents:
•      Curriculum vitae in table format, including a detailed career outline showing previous academic as well as artistic, curatorial and/or cultural experience and achievements.
•      If applicable, list of publications, lectures, exhibitions, artistic and curatorial work, etc.
•      Cover letter stating the applicant’s motivation (max. 1 page).
•      Project outline (15,000-25,000 characters incl. spaces and bibliography), an abstract (max. 1 page) and a representative text on a topic related to the dissertation (published article, excerpt from a chapter or similar; approx. 20-25 pages).
•      Proof of German language skills level B2.
•      Copies of certificates (master’s degree certificate plus Transcript of Records, if ECTS is not visible).
•      Mention of two people as references.

Please submit your application in digital form by 18 August 2025: E-mail: wissenschaft.kunst@plus.ac.at

If you have further questions, please contact:
Roswitha Gabriel: roswitha.gabriel@plus.ac.at
or
Anita Moser: anita.moser@plus.ac.at

Link to the Call in the Bulletin of the Salzburg University (in German).