Senior Lecturer in Audiovisual Arts

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 through 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.

In the context of the expertise network Artistic Paradigms & Methods, to be appointed within the team Media, Technology & Experiment (Genk), we are looking for a senior researcher and media innovator to lead practice-based research in audiovisual media. We welcome a creative researcher who explores the shared creative space between film, animation and game design, in possible research areas such as virtual production, immersive storytelling, AI-driven experiences and more.

The ideal candidate combines a strong creative practice with an active academic profile (with, e.g. publications at ACM IMX, SIGGRAPH, ISEA, or related instances). You are passionate about mentoring and inspiring new generations of media makers, while critically addressing the cultural, social, and ethical dimensions of new technologies.

In addition to your research activities, you will take on an active teaching role, with particular attention to the application of emerging technologies, experimental methodologies, and critical reflection within current professional practices. You will integrate insights from your research into the curriculum and guide students in translating theoretical and technological innovations into relevant, artistically grounded applications within the field. As a research-active lecturer, you contribute to the deepening and dissemination of new knowledge within the domain of audiovisual arts.

This role is central to shaping the future of audiovisual education and research through experimental collaboration with students, forward-thinking media strategies, and the development of a new expertise lab in audiovisual media.

The proposed starting date is September 1st 2026.

Research

As a senior lecturer, you dedicate about half of your assignment to research. Together with colleagues, you will build a group of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. You will achieve research output of international standing and obtain external funding for additional research. The status of special guest lecturer in the arts allows you to be a supervisor of doctorates in the arts and research projects within KU Leuven.

Teaching

Your assignment includes teaching tasks within LUCA Audiovisual Arts & Media and LUCA Graduate. These are mainly situated within the study program Television-film (Genk campus). The assignment is broader than teaching, supervising and evaluating students. Together with colleagues, you develop teaching and learning activities, tailored to the student audience and within the context of the curriculum and the profile of the program. You also actively contribute to the quality of the program, and you are an ambassador for LUCA with regard to prospective students and alumni.

Service

Scientific, social and internal services are also part of the assignment, as well as professionalisation and international networking. You are also expected to take on a leadership role within LUCA and KU Leuven at certain times.

Profile

You have a research portfolio which touches one of the following topics; trans- or post disciplinary approaches to audiovisual creation, interactive storytelling, AI-generated media, virtual production, or similar. 

You have an active involvement in international artistic research networks and communities.

You have a deep understanding of the shifting dynamics within the contemporary media industry, particularly the increasing convergence between the fields of animation, film, and game development. This cross-pollination of disciplines is not only familiar territory for you, but a driving force within your practice. 

You are attuned to the production realities, applied methods, and evolving needs of the professional field —  including the structures of broadcast media and streaming platforms —  and can to critically reflect on them within both your teaching and research. Your multidisciplinary profile enables you to guide students in navigating and contributing to a rapidly transforming media landscape, where hybrid forms, workflows and roles are becoming the norm.

You hold a PhD.

You have social and educational skills, you are collegial and communicative, and motivated to continuously develop your expertise. 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 or English, and/or you are prepared (if necessary) to become proficient in both languages. LUCA will ensure language training opportunities.

You are loyal and endorse the mission, vision and policy of LUCA and KU Leuven.

Offer

This vacancy is for a statutory appointment of indefinite duration for 100% 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 the relevant salary scale 528, as defined by the government. 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 hospitalisation insurance at a favourable 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 and KU Leuven want all talents to develop to the fullest, regardless of gender, age, cultural origin, nationality or disability. We therefore welcome all talented people who recognise the added value of diversity and want to help shape an inclusive organisation.

Research environment (associated faculty within KU Leuven)
Study programs LUCA School of Arts
European University Alliance FilmEU

Interested?

More information about this vacancy can be obtained from the director of the expertise network, Maarten Vanvolsem (maarten.vanvolsem@luca-arts.be), the research coordinator Niek Kosten (niek.kosten@luca-arts.be) and from those responsible for the expertise team and the programs involved.

You can apply until January 5th 2026 via the online application tool of KU Leuven (in case of problems with the tool: solliciteren@kuleuven.be).

Your application consists of: (1) a motivation letter, (2) a curriculum vitae, (3) a portfolio, (4) a certificate of diploma (or declaration of equivalence), (5) a bio-sketch. This bio-sketch is a free text of no more than two pages in which you briefly outline your past career and your future plans in three parts: (a) the crucial elements of your past career (with attention to their importance and impact), (b) the main points of your future activities (with an emphasis on the first five years), (c) your added value and opportunities for collaboration within LUCA and KU Leuven. Only complete applications are eligible.

Interviews with candidates, and any interactive workshops, will follow after pre-selection based on the applications.

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.

• Job application procedure
• Working conditions
• Career opportunities

Do you have a question about the online application system? Please consult our FAQ or email us at apply@kuleuven.be