JOB: Call: 3-4 PhD-positions, project joins the disciplines of Performing Arts, Science and Technology

The Swiss National Science Foundation financed Sinergia project “Towards an alliance of the Performing Arts and Sciences”, a cooperation between the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and La Manufacture – Haute École de Théâtre de Suisse romande (HETSR) together with the partners Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) and Munich University (LMU), funds from October 2011 on 3-4 PhD-positions (for 3 years at the basis of annual contracts and evaluation).

The project joins the disciplines of Performing Arts, Science and Technology with the aim of creating mutual inspirations that lead to new trajectories for both artistic expression as well as technological experimentation and development. The major focus of the project lies in the transformation of theatrical stage environments under the influences of modern technologies such as robotics, novel acoustic and light technologies, 3(+1)D, interactive design, brain-computer-interface, telematics, body tracking, social networks, etc. New possibilities of stage-conception and devices as well as strategies and ways of making for technical production/realisations will be elaborated and creatively implemented.

The project work focuses mainly on three dimensions of research that will be investigated with regard to the concept and the realities of stage performance:

a) Transformation of time and space perception and experience within stage-settings;

b) Intermediality as a dimension for expression and experimentation on stage;

c) Man-machine relations as a field for the exploration of human self-understanding and exposition in living environments impacted by artifacts, mechanisation and virtualization.

Stage, here, is understood as a laboratory for the experimentation on experience and concepts of meaning and expression. It is a space for exploration and a site for observing the present that allows to create and reflect future possibilities of world-making.

The research is organized within a new, artistic-driven laboratory including a black-box situated at la Manufacture (HETSR) and in cooperation with doctoral schools of the EPFL. PhDs from different fields will be working in close collaboration with various EPFL Labs and partner institutions (ZHdK, LMU) as well as external researchers and artistis in the performing arts. Research here means not only scientific research but is based on a broader concept, including artistic research: exploration with the goal to produce knowledge, either theoretical, practical or aesthetic one.

The project aims for the creation of a new type of PhDs at the intersection of arts and sciences. Skills and competences coming from technological research should be shared between the candidates and transformed in a process of intensive exchange with the labs and participating artists. PhD-candidates will be supervised by the partners institutions. The new lab will be reinforced by a team of researchers that cover the technological and scientific as well as the theoretical, conceptual and artistic dimensions of the project.

The ideal PhD candidate combines technological, artistic and reflective competences. She/He should focus on at least one of the research dimensions, as described above. She/he is expected to possess the skills necessary to produce prototypes within the project framework (including hardware prototyping and/or software programming) and theorize about the experiments. Candidates without prototyping experience must show an ability to develop the skills necessary to participate actively in all working dimensions of the project.

Candidates are expected to collaborate at the new laboratory in Lausanne.

Successful candidates will be those who can show an ability to work with artists and scientists and contribute to innovative research at the point where art and sciences meet.

The positions are available for 36 months with a contract renewable every year. Salary and benefits are highly competitive for international standards.

Candidates are invited to send their applications including a letter of interest, a CV (including a description of artistic/scientific experiences), a statement concerning their research interests (max. 3 pages; referring to the project framework) as well as two letters of recommendation until the 15.8.2011 to the Project Leader Prof. Jeffrey Huang (jeffrey.huang@epfl.ch)-

For further Information please contact the project managers Jens Badura (jens.badura@hetsr.ch) or Alex Barchiesi (alex.barchiesi@epfl.ch).