"Ad Astra PhD Scholarship in Digital (Ethno)musicology"

The School of Music at University College Dublin is pleased to invite applications from outstanding candidates for an Ad Astra PhD Scholarship in Digital (Ethno)musicology. The Ad Astra scheme involves students working under the supervision of an Ad Astra Fellow, a major recruitment initiative by University College Dublin. The Ad Astra Scholarships last for four years and includes an annual stipend of €25,000, a full fee-waiver, and an allowance of €4,000 per annum for research costs. Successful applicants must meet the University’s standard PhD admission requirements and be accepted into the School of Music’s PhD programme.

Applications are invited in the following area: Digital (Ethno)musicology under the supervision of Dr. Abigail C. Lindo (abigail.lindo@ucd.ie). Start date: September 2026. We welcome applications from across a broad range of musicological and ethnomusicological topics beyond Western art music, especially with attention to 20th and/or 21st century Black Music and technology. Potential areas of focus include but are not limited to:

• Afrodiasporic sonic aesthetics and globalization
• Music production and sampling in the 21st century
• Hybrid and experimental music performances
• Social media soundscapes
• Alternative music and culture
• Songwriting and artificial intelligence
• Popular music industry, streaming, and commodification
• Sonic geographies of the Global South
• Intersectional approaches to music (including race, gender, ability, etc.)
• Musical genrefication and hierarchization
• Feminist, womanist, and/or queer music and worldmaking
• Blending creative practice and critical music research

The primary criterion is that the applicant’s research should be innovative and of the highest quality. The successful applicant should have a background in ethnomusicology, digital musicology, sound studies, digital humanities, music pedagogy, and/or creative practice, and should have or be working towards a masters degree in ethnomusicology, musicology, or a related field. Application details are available on the School of Music website (https://www.ucd.ie/music/).

The PhD programme at UCD lasts for four years (2026 – 2030), and includes research training, taught modules, and a research and development plan, alongside the production of a substantial thesis to include some element of creative production.

How to Apply

Applicants should send the following documents by email to music@ucd.ie:

• cover letter (up to 2 pages) stating the candidate’s background, experience, and motivations for applying to this specific posting at UCD
• research proposal (up to 500 words) detailing their proposed project and potential impact
• detailed CV (up to 4 Pages) including proof of past research, and aspects of creative practice
• a 2500-3000-word excerpt of academic writing (a small section of a longer work is permitted)
• evidence of English language competence for non-native English-speaking applicants who have NOT obtained previous university degrees from a university in an English-speaking country. The language certificate must be one accepted by UCD and must be dated within the last two years. Click here for further details.

Applicants should also ask two referees to send references directly to music@ucd.ie by the closing date, with the candidate’s name as the email subject.

Closing date for applications: Friday 23 January 2026

Shortlisted Interviews will take place via Zoom during the week of 23 February 2026