Doctoral Researcher - Interdisciplinary Music Research (MUSICOTAS Project)
The Department of Music, Art and Culture Studies of the University of Jyväskylä is currently seeking to recruit a Doctoral Researcher for a 3-year position within the research project Musical Sharing in Copresent Time and Space (MUSICOTAS, MUSICOTAS 2025-2029 | University of Jyväskylä). The contract begins on September 1st, 2026. The position focuses on doctoral studies and research within an interdisciplinary consortium exploring musical experiences across different performance contexts. The fixed-term position is for completing doctoral studies.
About the position
The project examines how music is shared and experienced in contemporary contexts such as live concerts, livestreams, and prerecorded performances, and how these experiences shape behavioural, physiological, emotional and social responses among performers and audiences. The doctoral researcher will join the Centre of Excellence in Music, Mind, Body and Brain and the MUSICOTAS consortium (Department of Music, Art and Culture Studies, University of Jyväskylä; VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland).
The position focuses particularly on understanding how musical experiences emerge through interaction between music, bodies, and social environments. The doctoral researcher will contribute to studies investigating how different performance and listening contexts influence movement, cardiac activity, rhythmic-social synchrony, affective states, and enjoyment among both musicians and audiences.
The researcher will work closely with the MUSICOTAS research team and contribute to data collection and analysis across multiple settings. The project uses participatory and multimodal research methods, including focus group interviews, live concert experiments, and concert showings. The doctoral researcher will be expected to conduct rigorous research focusing on quantitative approaches, contribute to the development of methods for data processing and synchrony analysis across bodily modalities, publish findings in international peer-reviewed journals, and complete the doctoral studies required for the PhD degree.
Who should apply
We expect the following from you:
• a master’s degree in musicology, music technology, psychology of music, cognitive science, computer science, human sciences, or another relevant field
• demonstrated research interest in music perception, performance studies, or music technology
• familiarity with methods for studying human behaviour, such as physiological measurement, movement analysis, or experimental design
• strong competence in quantitative analysis and data processing
• excellent communication skills and ability to produce high-quality academic writing in English
• motivation for doctoral studies and persistence to complete dissertation research in an interdisciplinary research environment
• ability for independent and self-directed research combined with strong collaborative skills
• readiness to work as part of an international and multidisciplinary research team
The following qualifications are considered significant advantages:
• prior research or publications related to music perception, music cognition, or music experience
• experience with physiological data (e.g., cardiac activity), motion capture, or biosignal analysis
• experience with statistical software or programming tools (e.g., Julia, MATLAB, Python, R)
• familiarity with multimodal data analysis or synchrony measurement methods
• experience in experimental music research or concert-based studies
The tasks of a Doctoral Researcher focus on research aiming at the completion of a doctoral thesis, doctoral studies, assisting teaching tasks, and other related tasks to these. The duties, qualification requirements, and the language skills of Doctoral Researchers are stipulated by the University of Jyväskylä Regulations and language skills guidelines (Doctoral Students). A good command of English is required. A trial period of six months will be used in the beginning of the employment.
The eligible candidate has, or is about to obtain, a suitable Master’s degree. In addition, the Doctoral Researcher must have a permission for post-graduate studies at the University of Jyväskylä. After selection, the selected person must apply for postgraduate study rights through a separate application procedure from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Benefits
Come to Jyväskylä, Finland, and join our vibrant and inspiring community!
At the University of Jyväskylä, you will be a valued member of our community with a unique opportunity to contribute to international research. You will become part of our international and multidisciplinary community that prioritizes the wellbeing of each individual. Our lively campus provides excellent opportunities for maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle.
Finland, named the world’s happiest country for consecutive years since 2018, offers a high standard of living with free education (also in English), affordable childcare, generous family benefits, and comprehensive healthcare. Work–life balance is highly valued in Finland, and employees enjoy four to six weeks of annual holiday. Jyväskylä is located in central Finland, just three hours by train from the capital Helsinki. Part of the Finnish Lakeland, the city offers easy access to nature and a range of outdoor, sports and exercise activities. As a major centre of education with a large student population, it also features a vibrant cultural scene. For more information about the University of Jyväskylä, the city of Jyväskylä, and living in Finland, see the University’s International Staff Guide.
Salaries are based on job demands and employees’ performance following the Finnish University Salary System. The salary for a Doctoral Researcher is determined based on the task-specific demand level 2–4 for teaching and research staff. The starting salary will be approximately 2500 €/month (gross income). A holiday bonus is paid to all employees. With progress of thesis work, the salary will be revised in accordance with the Collective Agreement of Finnish Education Employers. If you are relocating from abroad, we will support your move to Jyväskylä and Finland.
How to apply?
The application documents that should be included in English and in PDF format:
- A Curriculum vitae, composed according to good scientific practice and considering the template for researcher´s curriculum vitae by The Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity.
- A short and informal motivation/cover letter (about 1 page)
- If you are an author on any publications, a publication list of any scientific or other publications according to the Research Council of Finland format.
- Your MA thesis text, and evaluations, if available (attach to “research plan”)
- A copy of the diploma of your highest degree (i.e., MA).
- Study transcripts with grade results (attach to “other attachment”).
We look forward to receiving your application in our recruitment system by 30 April 2026.
For further information, please contact Assistant Professor Martin Hartmann, martin.hartmann@jyu.fi.
We offer good working conditions for researchers and promote the principles of HR Excellence in Research, HRS4R. The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) is based on the values of the European Charter for Researchers & The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter & Code). JYU is committed to fairness, consistency and transparency in selection decisions, and undertakes the recommendations for the responsible evaluation of a researcher in Finland. JYU has signed the DORA Declaration. By signing the agreement, JYU is committed to complying with the CoARA principles.
Our application process is transparent, professional and international. We communicate openly with the applicants throughout the recruitment process. All appointment decisions are based on careful consideration within the faculty. We value equality and diversity in our work community and encourage qualified applicants, to apply for this position.
Department of Music, Art and Culture Studies
The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences - a pioneer in research and education. The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä is a multidisciplinary scientific and learning community, with a unique combination of humanities and social science research, education and expertise. Our research is internationally renowned and socially influential, focusing on areas such as culture, languages, communication, social sciences and philosophy. The humanities play a significant role predicting global developmental trends and social changes as well as in meeting societal challenges and managing large masses of information.
Our strength is our strong sense of community and an open and diverse academic atmosphere. Come build your career in a faculty that values you as a professional and offers opportunities for growth and international collaboration! More information about the faculty: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (Front page of the University of Jyväskylä | University of Jyväskylä)
The University of Jyväskylä is a human-centred environment of 2,500 experts and 14,500 students. Our goal is to create wisdom and wellbeing for us all. It is essential that each member of the community thrives and has opportunities to develop and grow. We cherish openness of thinking as well as the balance between research and education. Our naturally beautiful campus is located at the heart of the city of Jyväskylä. JYU is the third largest employer in Central Finland.