RITMO Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Rhythm, Time and Motion and the Department of Psychology

Job description

A Doctoral Research Fellowship (SKO 1017) in cognitive psychology is available at RITMO Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Rhythm, Time and Motion and the Department of Psychology at the University of Oslo.

RITMO is a Centre of Excellence funded by the Research Council of Norway. This interdisciplinary centre focuses on rhythm as a structuring mechanism for the temporal dimensions of human life. Methods from musicology, psychology, neuroscience, and informatics are combined to study rhythm as a fundamental property that shapes and underpins human cognition, behavior and cultural expressions.

All RITMO researchers are co-located and work in a unique interdisciplinary constellation, with world-leading competence in musicology, psychology and informatics. It is expected that all members of the centre contribute to the general activities and collaborations within RITMO. The researchers have access to state-of-the-art facilities in sound/video recording, motion capture, eye tracking, physiological measurements, various types of brain imaging and electroencephalography (EEG, fMRI), and rapid prototyping and robotics laboratories.

Job description

The doctoral fellow will work on an empirical project investigating musical abilities related to rhythm, their underlying genetic structure, and their relationship to personality. The project title is Musical abilites: A twin study.

The project description can be obtained by contacting professor Bruno Laeng bruno.laeng@psykologi.uio.no.

Methodologically, the project will rely on behavioral genetics, specifically the use of the twin method, as well as experimental behavioral methods, pupillometry, and psychometrics. The candidate is to submit a project outline (3-5 pages). Project outlines addressing the following topics are encouraged:

• Measurement and structure of musical abilities and preferences
• Relations between rhythmic abilities, motor control, and mental effort
• Hedonics or aesthetic responses (e.g., chills) to rhythm in music and across modalities and their relationship to personality traits, wellbeing, health and context

The research fellow must take part in the Faculty of Social Sciences’ approved PhD program and is expected to complete the project within the fellowship period.

The appointment is for a duration of three years, starting 1 September 2020. A fourth year can be considered with the addition of 25 % teaching requirements, depending on the competence of the applicant and the needs of the Department of Psychology. The fellowship period may be reduced if the candidate has previously been employed in a research fellowship position.

Qualification requirements

• A Master's degree or equivalent in psychology, neuroscience, music cognition, computer science or biology, qualifying for admission to the PhD program at the Department of Psychology. The applicant is required to document that the degree corresponds to the profile for the post. The Master's Degree must have been obtained by the time of application. Normally, only applicants with grade points A or B on the ECTS scale will be qualified for admission to the PhD program.
• Experience with experimental/empirical methods
• Experience with handling big data sets, including relevant statistical methods and programming.
• It is beneficial if the candidate has knowledge of cognitive psychology and neuroscience as well as music psychology, music cognition and/or music theory.
• Excellent skills in written and oral English.
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position.

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on:

• The applicant’s scientific merit
• The quality and relevance of the research outline
• The applicant's estimated academic and personal ability to complete the project within the time frame
• The applicant's ability to complete research training
• Very good collaboration skills and an ability to join interdisciplinary academic communities.

Applicants who have recently graduated with excellent results may be given preference.

We offer

• salary NOK 479 600 – 523 200 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research fellow, (position code 1017)
• attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include

• cover letter statement of motivation and research interests
• eventuelt: a project description, including progress plan (max. X pages)
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work)
• copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• evt. documentation of english proficiency
• a complete list of publications and academic works
• list of reference persons: 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “Apply for this job”. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language).

When evaluating the application, emphasis will be given to the eventuelt “project description” and the applicant’s academic and personal prerequisites to carry out the project. Applicants may be called in for an interview.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.

According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

The appointment may be shortened/given a more limited scope within the framework of the applicable guidelines on account of any previous employment in academic positions.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.

Contact information

• Head of Administration PSI Birgitte Bøgh-Olsen, phone: +47-22845104, e-mail: birgitte.bogh-olsen@psykologi.uio.no
• Head of Administration RITMO Anne Cathrine Wesnes, phone: +47 22854489 e-mail: a.c.wesnes@imv.uio.no

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