Applications are invited for the position of Research Fellow in Digital Music Interaction to create a new generation of accessible and expressive digital musical instruments.
You will design, develop, and evaluate novel music and human-computer interaction technologies that combine wearable motion capture technology and 3D prototyping. You will examine a range of design and fabrication approaches for physically prototyping tactile objects and develop algorithms for detecting interactions with these objects with hand-worn motion sensors. Additionally, you will develop and facilitate accessible user studies, workshops, and residencies to evaluate and co-design new interfaces with diverse participants, including Disabled musicians. You will publish your work at major music technology and human-computer interaction conferences and journals.
The successful candidate will be based in School of Computing and Creative Technologies at The University of the West of England, Bristol. They will join the Music Interaction and Computational Arts (MICA) Lab working on the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funded Future Leaders Fellowship "Sensing Music Interactions from the Outside-In: Accessible Innovation Fusing Wearable Technology and Physical Prototyping". The project will examine technologies and methods to support the co-design and development of bespoke and accessible digital musical instruments. Project partners include MiMU Gloves, x-io Technologies, Watershed, Drake Music and Billy & Andy’s Music School.
This is the first of two post-doctoral research roles; the second will be advertised in spring 2025.
We seek applications from enthusiastic individuals who are strongly motivated to help push the boundaries of research and technology in music and human-computer interaction. You will have excellent technical skills with research experience in one or more of the following areas: new interfaces for musical expression, human-computer interaction, sensor/signal processing and/or AI. Experience with creative 3D prototyping as well as designing and running accessible user studies, workshops and residencies to co-design and evaluate interactive systems is also desirable. You should have excellent communication skills, show a high level of initiative and be able to collaborate effectively with disabled and non-disabled colleagues and participants.
As a Research Fellow you will hold (or be close to completion of) a PhD in computer music, computer science, human-computer interaction, robotics, mechatronics, or other relevant field with a suitable publication track record. Equivalent knowledge and experience gained through alternative pathways is also welcomed.
The project and team are committed to meaningful improvement and change in terms of inclusion and accessibility. Diversity enhances research, and we welcome applications from those who will bring balance to our team, including those from communities who experience racism, sexism, ableism or any other barriers. The project includes collaborations with Disabled musicians, and we are led by the social model of disability. Consequently, Disabled researchers and those with lived experience of disability are encouraged to apply.
Candidates should be willing to occasionally work out of typical working hours (including weekends), for example to attend performances or demonstrations, and to travel both nationally and internationally to conduct research and attend conferences.
The post will be located within a multidisciplinary space called The Bridge, which is a cutting-edge creative technology facility funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the West of England Combined Authority. The Bridge is located on our lively Frenchay campus adjacent to the Centre for Print Research and Bristol Robotics Laboratory.
We are one of the largest providers of Higher Education in the South West with 38,000 students and 4,000 staff from right across the globe. Based in Bristol, one of the UK’s most exciting and forward-thinking cities, we are regionally embedded and globally connected, with an established network of employer and academic partners.
We offer a wide range of employee benefits including progressive pay rates, generous annual leave and career average pension schemes as well as retail savings, onsite nursery and opportunities for training, personal and professional development.
We also support access to work applications and will work flexibility to identify and remove disabling barriers.
UWE Bristol recognises the power of a truly diverse university community.
We are proud to be part of a vibrant, multicultural city that celebrates diversity, we’re always looking for talented people from all backgrounds to join us. Our people are our strength, and diversity enhances our creativity and leads to better decision-making and problem-solving. Bring your talent and ambition to our growing community and find yourself in a stimulating and supportive environment where you’ll thrive.
This is a 46 month (3 years 10 months) fixed-term post for just under four years and is full-time working on a 1.0 FTE contract.
This post is available on a job share basis for applicants wishing to work part time.
Interviews are scheduled to take place at our Frenchay Campus on the week commencing 10/06/2024.
For informal enquiries please contact Prof. Tom Mitchell on 0117 328 3349 or email: tom.mitchell@uwe.ac.uk.
UWE Bristol is a campus-based University and it is vital to our success and the delivery of an outstanding experience for our students that our campuses are dynamic and vibrant places to learn and spend time. This role is therefore campus based with options for hybrid and flexible working.
We may be able to sponsor qualifying candidates for this role under the Home Office Skilled Worker visa route. Please read our Skilled Worker Guidance to assess if you will be eligible to be sponsored under the criteria.
Please also refer to the Home Office Right to Work Checklist which provides details of which documents are acceptable to prove your right to work in the UK. Should you be shortlisted you will be asked to produce your right to work documents at your interview.
Please note that UWE does not cover any visa or health surcharge costs.
If you would like to apply for this role please complete our application form as soon as possible.
Tell us about how your skills and experience relate to the requirements of this role by describing how you meet each of the essential and desirable criteria listed in the Person Specification section of the Job Description, and include specific examples wherever possible.
Once we have completed shortlisting we will let you know the outcome of your application by email, so please check your inbox for updates.
Post Title: Research Fellow in Digital Music Interaction
Grade: G
College: CATE: College of Arts, Technology and Environment
Accountable to: Project Principle Investigator (PI) - Prof. Tom Mitchell
Accountable for: Day-to-day supervision of technical staff and co-supervision of doctoral students
This is a UKRI funded post is supported by the Future Leaders Fellowship: "Sensing Music Interactions from the Outside-In: Accessible Innovation Fusing Wearable Technology and Physical Prototyping".
The project goal is to develop technologies and methods that support the co-design and development of bespoke and accessible digital musical instruments. A novel interaction approach will be developed where technology worn on the hands will be used to sense a wearer’s interactions with objects and mechanisms. The primary application is music, but the approach will be explored in wider domains of Human Computer Interaction.
This role is an opportunity to join a growing multidisciplinary team of researchers in the Music Interaction and Computational Arts Lab (MICA Lab) at UWE. The project partners include MiMU Gloves, x-io Technologies, Watershed, Drake Music and Billy & Andy’s Music School.
The project and team are committed to meaningful improvement and change in terms of inclusion and accessibility. Diversity enhances research, and we welcome applications from those who will bring balance to our team, including those from communities who experience racism, sexism, ableism or any other barriers. The project includes collaborations with disabled musicians and we are led by the social model of disability. Consequently, Disabled researchers and those with lived experience of disability are encouraged to apply.
The post will be located within a multidisciplinary facility called The Bridge, which was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the West of England Combined Authority and located on our lively Frenchay campus adjacent to the Centre for Print Research and the Bristol Robotics Laboratory. The post available on a full time or job share basis for applicants wishing to work part time.
The successful candidate will develop and conduct research individually or as part of a research team to investigate digital musical instruments and related technologies. They are also expected to design, develop, and conduct research studies with disabled and non-disabled participants from diverse backgrounds, and to disseminate findings to academic and non-academic audiences. Specifically, the research fellow will be closely involved in research on the work packages:
Activities include:
The role will include opportunities for professional development and training.
Qualifications/Professional membership
Essential
Knowledge/Skills/Experience
Essential
Desirable