RITMO Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Rhythm, Time and Motion

Job description

A Doctoral Research Fellowship (SKO 1017) in Music, rhythm and pleasure is available at RITMO Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Rhythm, Time and Motion 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, behaviour 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 (EEG, fMRI), and rapid prototyping and robotics laboratories.

More about the position

The doctoral fellow will carry out experimental research on the pleasure experienced in the context of music listening. Pleasure can be understood in broad terms, encompassing phenomena such as chills, liking, affect, and wellbeing. In particular, the contribution of rhythm and other time-bound phenomena to experienced pleasure would be relevant areas of investigation. Possible methodological approaches include psychophysiology, motion capture, pupillometry, psychopharmacology, and self-report (among others). The doctoral fellow will have a primary affiliation with the Interaction and pleasure cluster at RITMO.

The doctoral 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 2021. 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, music psychology, musicology, or other relevant field. 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.
• Experience with one or more of the following methodologies: experimental design, psychophysiology, motion capture, pupillometry
• Academic expertise in music psychology/ cognition and statistics is an advantage
• 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, as well as the quality of the research outline and its relevance to the research objectives of RITMO
• The applicant's estimated academic and personal ability to complete the project within the time frame
• The applicant's ability to complete the 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 level NOK 482 200 - 526 000 depending on qualifications
• a professionally stimulating working environment
• attractive welfare benefits
• membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

How to apply

Applications must include:

• Application letter describing the applicant’s qualifications and motivation for the position
• Curriculum Vitae (complete list of education, positions, teaching experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activities, including a complete list of publications with links to the full version of published papers)
• Research outline, including relevant research questions and theoretical and methodological approaches (approximately 2-3 pages, see the template for research outline)
• Transcript of records of your Master's degree. Applicants with education from a foreign university are advised to attach an explanation of their university's grading system
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

Please note that all documents must be in English.

Educational certificates, master theses and the like are not to be submitted with the application, but applicants may be asked to submit such information or works later.

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, jobbnorge.no. The short-listed candidates will be invited 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 Acquisition of Rights Agreement for the purpose of securing rights to intellectual property created by its employees, including research results.

The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds.

Contact information

• Head of Administration Anne Cathrine Wesnes, e-mail: a.c.wesnes@imv.uio.no, phone number: +47 22 85 44 89
• HR Adviser Hilde Kristine Sletner, e-mail: h.k.sletner@hf.uio.no

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