UmArts Postdoctoral Fellow in New Media Art – Crafts/Music/Visual Arts - ,

The UmArts Research Centre at Umeå University is seeking a postdoctoral fellow in New Media Art. The position  is based at the department of Creative Studies (Crafts/Sloyd, Music, Visual Arts) in partnership with the department of Informatics to contribute to the interdisciplinary artistic research within UmArts. The position is full-time for two years, starting on 1 January 2024, or by agreement. The application deadline is 15 May 2023.

Scope of research

This call is for a postdoctoral fellow in interdisciplinary artistic research within the field of New Media Art. The position is within one (or several) of the artistic practices of crafts (textile, wood/ metal), music or visual arts intersecting areas of Human Computer Interaction or Information Systems.

The broad aim of the position is to: A) establish a critical framework for interdisciplinary research across one of the artistic practices: crafts/music/visual arts and new digital technologies. B) investigate how new digital technologies can shape the creative context and process, and the generated artwork/outcome. C) generate new knowledge through the production of new creative practice-based research.

Candidates are expected to apply with their own project proposal, which is specified in a research plan that will be appended to the application. We are looking for project proposals that explore the interplay between materiality in crafts/music/visual arts (e.g textiles/wood/metal, instrument, gesture/sound etc.) and emerging digital technologies (e.g including but not limited to Arduino and bio sensors, Digital Fabrication, Internet of Things, AI, Environmental Sensing etc.). Proposals can develop and critically explore new interdisciplinary approaches for practice-based research, experimenting with new methods and theoretical perspectives. We especially welcome, but the call is not limited to, proposals focusing on human and more-than-human perspectives on interactive and participatory art and how the interactive technology/ interfaces can shape the roles of and interactions between the artwork, the artist and the exhibition visitors/spectators/audience. In addition, we welcome proposals which adopt educational research perspectives in the creative processes of working within interactive or participatory art. 

Job description

The postdoctoral fellow will work independently on their own creative project with support from supervisors in the two departments and UmArts. The postdoctoral fellow will have the opportunity to produce a range of research outputs including open access research articles, exhibition-making, performance (music), craft outputs (textile, wood, metal), prototyping, digital interventions, which drive the role of societal development forward. The postdoctoral fellow will play an active role contributing to the two departments’ research environments, including leading and participating in research seminars and workshops. The postdoctoral fellow will also be part of the UmArts programme, participating in interdisciplinary working groups, leading research workshops and reading groups, and presenting their work in the new UmArts’ Research Studio.  

The postdoctoral fellow will have the opportunity to work in the crafts/music/art studio environments at the department of Creative Studies as well as the facilities/environments available at the department of Informatics. The studio environments include: a machine park for working with wood, metal-working studios, a small SloydLab with laser cutter, vinyl cutter, 3D scanner and printer as well as a cnc milling machine, dye- and print lab (textiles), knitting- and embroidery machines with software for design, handlooms, and sewing lab. The studio environments also include a modern music studio and studios for sculpture making.

The postdoctoral position is full-time for two years, starting on January 1st, 2024, unless otherwise agreed. The workplace is in Umeå. High attendance at the department is a requirement, and candidates are encouraged to develop a context-specific research project in the region. The postdoctoral researcher will be allocated expenses up to 40,000 SEK per year for travel and conference cost. 

Qualifications

• In order to be appointed as a postdoctoral fellow, it is required to have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree in an area relevant for the employment. This qualification requirement must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the employment decision.
• To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, priority should be given to candidates who completed their doctoral degree, according to what is stipulated in the paragraph above, no later than three years prior. If there are special reasons, candidates who completed their doctoral degree prior to that may also be eligible. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, appointments of trust in trade union organizations, military service, or similar circumstances, as well as clinical practice or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject area. A precondition is that the applicant has not previously been employed as a postdoctoral fellow at Umeå University for more than a year within the same or equivalent discipline.
• Strong research merits and artistic publications presented in an international context (such as exhibitions and performances) within the research area mentioned above are  requirements.
• Applicants should have a documented experience and interest in using (1) digital technologies as a critical tool in their artistic process and/or (2) digital technologies as components in the artistic work they create.
• Candidates must have very good knowledge of artistic research in terms of theory, practice and research methods, and expertise in their artistic field, as demonstrated by artistic publications (exhibitions, performances) and other research outputs.
• The ability to collaborate and communicate in English, both orally and in writing, is a requirement.
• Previous experience in interdisciplinary research is a merit. 

Ideal candidates are research driven, curious, eager to work on challenging problems and have a genuine interest for interdisciplinary research. 

Application

Your application must include:
1.  A research plan (project proposal) within the area of research for this postdoctoral fellow position (see scope of research). The research plan shall  include purpose, overall research questions, research methods, expected results and timeline(max 5 pages).
2.  A personal letter containing a brief description of research interests and interest in the position.
3. Curriculum Vitae (CV) including a complete list of artistic publications (e.g. exhibitions, performances or equivalent) and research publications. 
4. Copies of doctoral degree or documentation clarifying when the doctorate is expected to be completed, as well as a list of completed courses and other certificates that confirm the level of education.
5.  A copy of your PhD thesis/portfolio document or equivalent.
6. Short description of (max 5) research outputs relevant to the area of research for this postdoctoral fellow position (refers to both artistic and research publications).
7. Names and contact information for three persons willing to act as referees. 

Documents must be in Word or pdf format. Applications must be submitted electronically using the e-recruitment system Varbi no later than 15 May 2023.

For additional information, please contact Head of department Stina Wikberg,  stina.wikberg@umu.se.
If you would like to discuss a research proposal please contact Associate professor (music) Anders Lind, anders.lind@umu.se.

We look forward to receiving your application! 

More information

Department of Creative Studies include the artistic practices of Crafts/Sloyd (textile, wood, metal), Music and Visual Arts and conducts educational and artistic research.  Current artistic research at the department is related to fields as New Media Art (music, crafts) and sustainable art/slow art (crafts/sloyd). Related to New Media Art, research is currently conducted within the field of New Interfaces for Musical Expressions, with special focus on Participatory and Interactive art. The ongoing research projects investigate technology – based performance practices for contemporary art music and involve the exploration of new digital technologies such as a participatory mobile phone orchestra model, interactive sound art and animated notation.

For more information about artistic research at the Department for Creative Studies see https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-creative-studies/research/research-groups/

The Department of Informatics conducts research within the fields of Human Computer Interaction and Information Systems. The research focuses on society's digitalization and as a consequence of the fact that many contexts are now penetrated by digital technology, the subject spans a variety of areas. For example, we study the importance of digitalization for the public sector, organization of work, media, entrepreneurship, IT companies, manufacturing industry, trade and healthcare. 

For more information about research at Informatics see https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-informatics/research/

The UmArts Research Centre for Architecture, Design and the Arts works with the Department of Creative Studies, Umeå School of Architecture, Umeå Institute of Design, the Art Academy and Bildmuseet. The centre is creating an exciting interdisciplinary arts research environment in the visual arts, architecture, design and creative studies (crafts/sloyd, music, visual arts) within the regional context of Northern Sweden as well as nationally and internationally. UmArts runs a programme of public research events and thematic working groups alongside a team of interdisciplinary post-doctoral researchers, artists in residence and research fellows. In 2023 UmArts will open a new research studio on the Arts Campus which will be the base for the postdoctoral fellows, artists in residence and Small Visionary Projects.

For more information about UmArts see http://www.umarts.se/