Doctoral Research Fellowship in Musical Rhythm and Groove

About the position

A Doctoral Research Fellowship (SKO 1017) in Musical Rhythm and Groove 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. 

Job description

The Doctoral Research Fellow is expected to investigate the perception and production of rhythm in groove-based musical genres, using methods such as audio- or transcription-based music analysis and behavioral experiments. Interdisciplinary approaches are highly encouraged.

The project will be part of an overall thematic area at RITMO focused on timing, expectation, and attention in complex rhythmic contexts. 

Applicants should upload a research outline (ritmo.uio.no), with research questions and theoretical and methodological approaches.

The person appointed will be affiliated with the Faculty of Humanities’ organized research training. The academic work is to result in a doctoral thesis that will be defended at the Faculty of Humanities with a view to obtaining the degree of PhD. The successful candidate is expected to join RITMO’s existing research milieu on musical rhythm and groove and contribute to its development. Read more about the doctoral degree (uio.no).

The appointment is for a duration of three years, starting 1 September 2024. All PhD Candidates at the Faculty of Humanities who submit their doctoral dissertation for assessment with a written recommendation from their supervisor within 3 years or 3 ½ years after the start of their PhD position, will be offered, respectively, a 12 or 6-month Completion Grant (hf.uio.no).

Qualification requirements

• A Master's degree or equivalent in musicology, music cognition/psychology, music technology, or another relevant field. The applicant is required to document that the degree corresponds to the profile for the post. The degree must have been obtained by the time of application.
• Practical and/or academic knowledge of groove-based music genres.
• Experience with one or more of the following is also advantageous: audio- and/or transcription-based music analysis, statistics, experimental design, music information retrieval 
• Excellent skills in written and oral English; see Language requirements (hf.uio.no)
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position.

To be eligible for admission to the doctoral programmes at the University of Oslo, applicants must, as a minimum, have completed a five-year graduation course (Master’s degree or equivalent), including a Master’s thesis of at least 30 ECTS. In special cases, the Faculty may grant admission on the basis of a one-year Master course following an assessment of the study programme’s scope and quality.

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 research training
• Collaboration skills and ability to join interdisciplinary academic communities.

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

We offer

• Salary level: 532 200 - 575 400 NOK per annum, depending on qualifications.
• A professionally stimulating working environment
• Attractive welfare benefits (uio.no)
• Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (spk.no)

How to apply

Applicants must submit the following attachments with the electronic application

• Application letter describing the applicant’s qualifications, how the qualifications correspond to the profile of the post, 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
• Documentation of Language requirements (hf.uio.no) (if applicable to you)
• 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 or a Scandinavian language.

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 application must be submitted by the deadline (23:59 Norwegian time). 

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, as well as guidelines for the application assessment process at The Faculty of Humanities. 

Following the Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) § 25, Chapter 2, demographic information about the applicant may be used in the public list of applicants even if the applicant opts out from the entry in the public application list.

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.

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

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.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

Contact information

For questions about the position:

• Head of Administration Pia Søndergaard (uio.no)

For questions on how to apply: HR-adviser Julie Tøllefsen (uio.no)

Apply for position