Professorship in Music Education (80%)

ZHdK is one of the largest and most diverse art universities in Europe, with around 2100 bachelor’s and master’s students and 100 doctoral candidates. The fields of study and research include Art Education, Design, Film, Fine Arts, Music, Dance, Theatre, and Transdisciplinarity. Located in the heart of Zurich, ZHdK is a dynamic place where passionate people from over 75 countries work, study, teach, research, and continue their education.

From 1 August 2027 or by arrangement, a

is to be filled in the Department of Music.

At the Department of Music at the Zurich University of the Arts, musicians and music educators are trained who combine artistic and pedagogical excellence with curiosity, responsibility, and openness to new forms of engaging with music. Degree programmes in classical, jazz and pop, music education, music theory, and composition offer space for individual artistic and pedagogical development across genres and disciplines. Teaching, practice, and research are closely intertwined, anchored in Zurich’s cultural life and embedded in an international network.

We are seeking an initiative-taking individual for the inaugural appointment to the Professorship in Music Education (music learning and teaching in school and out-of-school contexts) who will advance innovative music education research in the German-speaking area, establish the research field at ZHdK, and contribute to the further development of research and teaching in the musical context.

Your tasks

You will initiate, implement, and coordinate music education research projects, ideally with an interdisciplinary focus, that address teaching and learning in musical contexts and consider education-relevant societal questions. You will disseminate your research findings through publications and presentations to the specialist community as well as to other stakeholders from education and society.

In teaching, you will design and conduct courses in the music education majors and minors, particularly in the areas of music didactics and music education research. You will promote the close connection between artistic practice, research, and teaching in existing or new formats. Through collaborations within and outside the university, you will contribute to the further development and visibility of music education.

You will supervise early-career researchers within the framework of music education research and doctoral projects. You are willing to participate in committees and advise leadership on research matters.

Your profile

We are looking for a candidate with a completed doctorate (PhD) in music education and proven research and publication activity at an international level. You bring experience in third-party funding acquisition as well as in the successful implementation of research projects. You represent an open research methodological approach, have an in-depth insight into nationally and internationally broad-themed music education research, and are familiar with the Swiss education landscape.

We expect several years of teaching experience in a higher education context as well as university didactic or comparable qualifications. Very good German language skills in speaking and writing (language of instruction and committees), good English skills, and sensitivity in dealing with gender, diversity, inclusion, and sustainability issues complete your profile.

What you can expect from us

We offer you an inspiring research and teaching position at an artistically creative, interdisciplinary art university. The professorship is located in an inspiring research environment and benefits from professional support in methodological and structural research matters. The highly networked context of the university, the university partners, and the lively interfaces with music, cultural, and educational institutions in the Zurich area and beyond provide an ideal working environment. We live an inclusive culture and value diversity. The employment conditions are governed by the personnel laws of the Canton of Zurich and come with various benefits. Additional information about the Zurich University of the Arts can be found at www.zhdk.ch.

The hearings will take place on 8 December 2026 at ZHdK in Zurich. Candidates are expected to submit a research statement for the hearings, which include a short presentation, teaching demonstration, and interview. The short presentation and teaching demonstration are open to the university public. The subsequent interview and discussion of the research statement will be held behind closed doors.

For content-related questions, please contact Prof. Ruth Frischknecht, Co-Head of Music Education (ruth.frischknecht@zhdk.ch), or Dr Lukas Näf, Interim Head of the Institute for Music Research (lukas.naef@zhdk.ch).

Contact person Human Resources Management: Romano Somazzi (romano.somazzi@zhdk.ch)

Your application documents, consisting of a cover letter, detailed CV, publication list, proof of teaching activity, and overview of research activities, should be submitted by 25 November 2026 via the "Apply online now" link at the end of this advertisement. Please note that we only accept applications via the link (no email applications) for this position.