Research Associate in Music Computing

The Open University – School of Computing & Communications

Job Location:Milton Keynes, Remote/Hybrid

Weekly Working Hours:18.75

Fixed Term Contract: End Date:30 months from start date

Welsh Language:Not Applicable

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About the Role

Applications are invited for a Post Doctoral Research Associate position at The Music Computing Lab in the School of Computing and Communications at the Open University (OU) to work with Professor Simon Holland and Dr Paul Mulholland on the EU-funded project PlaceMUS XR: Digital Journeys across Musical Places in Europe and Extended Realities.

The role of the OU in the project is to co-design, build, evaluate, maintain and document musical tools, interfaces and instruments aimed at deepening active musical engagement for all - including people with little or no musical training, people with physical or sensory disabilities and anyone learning or playing existing musical instruments.

Specifically, we are designing diverse one-handed stringed instruments that are engaging both for people with various physical disabilities and for non-disabled people; haptic systems focusing on polyphonic rhythms co-designed with deaf people (but also with wide applications to hearing people); and spatial systems for exploring tonal harmony, regardless of musical training or physical disability.

On a day-to-day basis, likely activity could include: programming, building and evaluating physical devices with microcontrollers, sensors and haptics; crafting digital signal processing systems; programming object-oriented user interfaces; co-design with deaf and physically disabled contributors; seeking ethical approval; collecting and analysing user data, writing project deliverables; publishing journal articles; and creating and documenting impact for REF 2029.

Co-production and co-design will be used in case studies with UK charities and museums including the National Museum of Popular Music in Liverpool.

Candidates must have completed or be close to completing a PhD in a subject relevant to the project, which includes (but is not restricted to) Computer Science, Music Technology, Music, Human Computer Interaction, Haptics, Digital Systems Processing, Assistive Technology.

The post is funded for 30 months and is available from June 15th 2026. The successful candidate will be based in the School of Computing and Communications at the Open University campus in Milton Keynes. The post will involve some field work visits to charities and museums. The candidate will join the Music Computing Lab.

The School provides a supportive and flexible working environment, where diversity is celebrated. The School is active in challenging injustice and promoting equitable treatment for those from marginalised or under-represented groups. It holds an Athena Swan Silver award for its work in gender equality.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out research project as described above.
• Collaborate with other researchers from other institutes.
• Attend project meetings and relevant research group meetings.
• Help organise, run and document workshops, evaluations and public engagement events that may involve participants with physical or sensory disabilities.
• Play an active part in the research community at the Open University.
• Publish research results in journals of international standing.
• Disseminate research results at seminars and conferences, nationally and internationally.
• Observe the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Follow the University’s Research Ethics, Health and Safety and Equal Opportunities policies.

Other Duties

• Attend appropriate staff development events
• Apply for internal/external funding as appropriate, under the guidance of the supervisor/other senior members of staff

About You

Essential

• PhD in a subject relevant to the project, including (but is not restricted to) Computer Science, Music Technology, Music, Human Computer Interaction, Assistive Technology.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Experience of writing and publishing peer-reviewed research at international level.
• Literature review skills.
• Knowledge and experience of object-oriented programming and user-interface design.
• Max coding skills.
• Supercollider coding skills.
• Experience of coding and building IOT technology (e.g. Arduino, EPS32, Bela).
• Hardware design and building skills (e.g. controllers, sensors, interactive music systems).
• Knowledge of music theory (good understanding of the terminology and concepts of tonal harmony).
• Experience of guitar playing and performance to a level to allow informed design work on digitally enhanced stringed instruments.
• Experience of teaching one or more musical instruments.
• Experience of designing and carrying out evaluations of music computing systems with users.
• Ability to visit the Music Computing Lab in Milton Keynes physically at least once a week.

Desirable

• Evidence of independent and collaborative research.
• Interest in public engagement evidenced by outreach experience.
• Video editing skills.
• Experience of writing ethical approval cases.
• Experience of interaction design and HCI techniques.