PhD Studentships

3 Music PhD Studentships within the IRiMaS Project

University of Huddersfield

The University of Huddersfield, with a large and vibrant Music postgraduate community of over 100 researchers from more than 20 countries, invites applications for 3 studentships fully-funded for four years (full fees plus stipend starting at £15,167) as part of the IRiMaS project. IRiMaS, Interactive Research in Music as Sound: Transforming Digital Musicology, is led by Professor Michael Clarke and funded by a €2.5m European Research Council Advanced Grant. This ground-breaking project’s aim is to harness the potential of C21st technology to establish new interactive aural approaches to music analysis, and musicology more broadly.

For more on IRiMaS visit: http://hud.ac.uk/irimas. For contextual information visit: https://research.hud.ac.uk/music/ and https://research.hud.ac.uk/institutes-centres/cerenem/.

The PhD students will be music specialists who have an interest in the potential of technology, but need not be technical experts. They will work as part of a team including software developers and musicologists. The PhDs will be supervised by Prof Michael Clarke and focus on:

1. Contemporary composed music, investigating new interactive aural approaches to the analysis and interpretation of a relevant area of repertoire (e.g. spectral music). Co-supervised by Prof Robert Adlington (University of Huddersfield).

2. Improvised music, investigating new interactive aural approaches to the analysis and interpretation of the distributed creative process in group improvisation. Co-supervised by Prof Amanda  Bayley (Bath Spa University).

3. Ethnomusicological study, investigating new interactive aural approaches to the analysis and interpretation of traditional or world music. Co-supervised by Prof Jonathan Stock (University College Cork).

The principal criterion for award of the studentships will be the potential of proposals to make original and significant contributions to the research of the IRiMaS project. Candidates must have a first-class or good upper-second undergraduate degree and be expected to perform at or around Distinction level in a Master’s degree, or demonstrate equivalent experience.

Applicants must apply to commence a programme of doctoral study in the 2018/19 academic year starting 1 October 2018.

The application deadline is Monday 15 January 2018 at 5pm.

To apply, please complete the standard University online application form at https://research.hud.ac.uk/research-degrees/how-to-apply. Under ‘Fee information' please state clearly that you are applying for a PhD Studentship in IRiMaS. For this studentship, your research proposal must adhere to the following format:

In no more than 500 words explain:

  •   the research problem or question and how this relates to the IRiMaS project
  •   your reasons and purposes for undertaking this project
  •   your preparation and previous experience
  •   the approach to be taken and how this would integrate with the aims and objective of IRiMaS
  •   any particular training needs and how these will be met
  •   your ability and willingness to work as part of a team
  •   any ethical issues related to your research project.

It is not necessary to speak with Professor Clarke prior to application; if you have an enquiry you may contact him by email at j.m.clarke@hud.ac.uk. A shortlist of applicants will be drawn up following the deadline, with interviews to be arranged via Skype shortly thereafter.