Call for the MAKE/SENSE PhD Programme 2026

Job description

Join the MAKE/SENSE PhD Programme at the Academy of Art and Design Basel! This unique opportunity fosters innovative research in art and design. Tasks Engage in practice-based research exploring social imaginaries. Collaborate with institutions and external partners for public events. Develop critical media approaches through artistic inquiry. Skills Applicants should hold an MA degree or equivalent qualification. Strong background in artistic research and critique. Ability to propose innovative projects and methodologies. About the job Degree and continuing education programmes for society - we are effective Academy of Art and Design Basel FHNW, hgk_institutexperimentelledesignmedienkulturen Your tasks The Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW, in collaboration with the University of Arts Linz, invites applications to the three-year practice-based PhD programme MAKE/SENSE. Rooted in infrastructural critique, situated artistic research, and critical media approaches, MAKE/SENSE supports doctoral projects that engage with practice-based forms of reading and writing and explore what research can be, whom it serves, and how it may contribute to new publics and social imaginaries. The PhD is carried out in partnership between Basel and Linz and hosted by the Critical Media Lab at the Institute Experimental Design and Media Culture in Basel. Supervision is provided jointly by faculty from both institutions. The programme combines individualized mentoring with monthly colloquia and an annual assembly. Situated Artistic Research : Supports practices that challenge dominant epistemologies through embodied, affective, and experimental modes of inquiry. ​​Infrastructural Critique:Engages with institutional, technological and research infrastructures as sites of critique, abolitionist intervention, collective reimagining, and world-making.​ Critical Media:Explores how knowledges are read, written, mediated, and circulated through practice-based approaches to reading and writing, publishing, and expanded formats. The current list of PhD supervisor can be found in this link: https://www.fhnw.ch/en/art-design/degree-programmes/offerings/phd-programmes/make-sense-phd-programme Public events and collaborations with external partners complement the programme. Please note that doctoral positions in the programme are not funded. Your profile Applications are welcome from artists, curators, publishers, designers, and culturalorganisers holding an MA degree (120 ECTS) or an equivalent qualification. This call is for the pre-proposal submission, which must include: ​​ Motivation letter listing 2 preferred supervisors and rationale, plans for financing the PhD (need for support to external funding applications or grants you plan to apply for) (2 p. A4) ​ Project outline (2–3 p. A4, excl. references) including:​ research question, ​short state of the art​, relevance and topicality regarding areas of concern (at least one), proposed methods ​and proposed outcomes ​ Curriculum Vitae ​Portfolio (art/design/curatorial/writing samples) ​ MA and BA diplomas (incl. transcripts) Selection process and key dates: 1st Round (Pre-Proposals) Deadline September 27, 2026 Notification of results: Mid-November2026 2nd Round (Full Proposal) Deadline: December 18, 2026 Interviews: Mid-January 2027 (Week 2/3) Notification of Results: End of January 2027 Underscoring the unique character of the FHNW are a combination of teaching and applied research, and interdisciplinary collaboration with industry partners. The complementary perspectives facilitate differentiated understanding and action in a rapidly evolving world. The focus is on exchange and collaboration. Will you soon belong to our team? We look forward to your application by September 27, 2026 www.fhnw.ch/en/about-fhnw/schools/academy-of-art-and-design