The IMAI – Inter Media Art Institute in Düsseldorf is seeking, starting January 1, 2026 and for a fixed term of two years, a full-time Research Trainee (m/f/d) to develop and implement an outreach project on the accessibility of audiovisual art in digital spaces.

The Düsseldorf-based IMAI – Inter Media Art Institute was established in 2006 to archive, document, and make accessible audiovisual art. Since then, the non-profit foundation has pursued its mission through collection care, research projects, exhibitions, publications, and distribution. With over 3,000 audiovisual works, the foundation’s archive tells the international history of video art from the 1960s to the present. More than 1,200 videos are available in full length in the foundation’s online archive. To date, this online archive has primarily been designed for users without hearing or visual impairments.

This research traineeship addresses this gap by testing new approaches to making audiovisual art more accessible in digital spaces. The trainee will focus on one of the access categories “hearing” or “vision.” They will analyze existing barriers and develop curatorial interventions in the spirit of the "Aesthetics of Access" in close collaboration with local groups and initiatives. These interventions will be informed by diverse audio/visual experiences and encourage critical reflection on normative assumptions about seeing and hearing in art history and curatorial practice. Users with and without sensory disabilities will be invited to question their habits of seeing and hearing and explore new forms of participation.

The research traineeship will be supervised academically by the foundation’s director, Dr. Linnea Semmerling, and Prof. Dr. Renate Buschmann, Professor of Digital Arts and Art Mediation at Witten/Herdecke University. It is part of the Research Traineeship Program for Art Museums of the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and is accompanied by a colloquium at the Institute of Art History of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf under the direction of Prof. Dr. Ulli Seegers.

Your responsibilities

• Familiarize yourself with the foundation’s digital collection and outreach work
• Conceptualize, plan, and implement curatorial interventions to improve the accessibility of the online archive (e.g., audio description, closed captions, sign language interpretation, etc.)
• Build and maintain relationships with local groups and (non-)users, e.g., by organizing participatory workshops for people with sensory disabilities
• Collaborate with artists, web service providers, accessibility initiatives, and advocacy organizations
• Document research and present findings at an international conference (e.g., ISEA, IASA, or Uncommon Senses)
• Organize a public inclusive screening event in cooperation with a local partner organization (e.g., Kunstpalast Düsseldorf)
• Write and edit texts and funding applications
• Contribute to public relations and educational programming

Your profile

• Completed university degree (Master’s or PhD) in a humanities or social sciences field, e.g., art history, cultural or media studies, education, social sciences, or disability, diversity, or gender studies
• Prior knowledge in digital art mediation and/or accessibility work for people with sensory disabilities is desirable
• Initial project experience, e.g., through internships in the (socio-)cultural sector or through independent initiatives, is an asset
• Enthusiasm for media art and the ambition to contribute to writing its history in an inclusive way
• Empathy, sensitivity, and strong communication skills to connect diverse communities
• Initiative, commitment, and a structured, independent working style in designing and implementing your own outreach project
• Excellent German language skills (C1 level) in spoken German or German Sign Language (DGS)

Applications from people with lived experience of disability and/or discrimination are warmly encouraged.

We offer

• Comprehensive training in all areas of the foundation’s work: archiving, presentation, distribution, and outreach
• Compensation of 50% of pay grade 13, step 1 (TVöD, municipal sector), rising to step 2 in the second year
• 30 days of annual paid vacation
• Flexible working hours
• Extensive interdisciplinary supervision in cooperation with the Chair of Digital Arts and Art Mediation at Witten/Herdecke University
• Close exchange with the local art scene and institutional partners
• An international research network in art and media studies, curatorial studies, as well as sensory and disability studies
• Creative freedom and opportunities to develop your own ideas
• Individual mentoring and support within a small, dynamic team

We welcome applications from individuals of all cultural and social backgrounds, ages, religions or beliefs, sexual orientations, and gender identities, and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented groups in the cultural sector.

By applying, you consent to the processing of your personal data for the duration of the recruitment process. Unfortunately, we are unable to reimburse travel or accommodation expenses for interviews.

For further information about the position, please contact Dr. Linnea Semmerling at info@stiftung.imai.de or +49 211 54 23 09 90.

Please send your application (cover letter, CV, and, if available, certificates, references, and proof of qualifications) electronically in a single PDF file (max. 4 MB) by October 12, 2025 to info@stiftung-imai.de.

We look forward to receiving your application!