Research Fellow in Digital Music Interaction

at  University of the West of England

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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.

ADVICE TO APPLICANTS

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.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

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.

• Please attach to your application a 2-page research proposal for a project that will use wearable technologies to sense interaction with 3D prototyped objects and mechanisms. For more information see: www.micalab.org and/or contact tom.mitchell@uwe.ac.uk.

WHERE IS THIS ROLE BASED?

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.