6 Research Fellows/Senior Research Fellows in Popular Music

This is an exciting opportunity for 6 Research Fellows/Senior Research Fellows in Popular Music to join the Department of Media, Humanities and the Arts at the University of Huddersfield.

You will join a vibrant and supportive research team that scored highly in REF2021, being ranked joint 5th in Music for research in UK Universities in terms of GPA. Huddersfield was also ranked 20th in the QS World University Rankings for Music 2024. Popular Music Studies in Huddersfield is well established as a field with research active staff, postgraduate students, undergraduate and postgraduate courses, industrial and international partnerships focused on popular music. You will join the welcoming research environment of the Popular Music Studies Research Group.

You will contribute to a Leverhulme funded research project entitled ‘The Amplification Project’ that will explore the role of the amplifier and associated technologies – especially loudspeakers and microphones – in musical practice, listener experience, and social and cultural life, working closely with the University’s Leverhulme International Professor of Popular Music Steve Waksman.

The fellowships will be part of a large scale £5 million popular music studies research project.

With a Doctoral qualification in a subject relevant to the project, you will have substantial experience in relevant research methods, and experience of writing for publications, research reports and presentations. You will carry out independent and collaborative research, be involved in public engagement activity, and supervise or co-supervise PhD students.

Six fellowships are available whose preferred focus during the project will be in the following areas:

-Historian of science and technology focused on technical design and engineering
-Music cultural studies analysing broad cultural trends related to amplification
-Ethnographer / Ethnomusicologist ideally focused on amplification related material
-Oral History Researcher focused on amplification related stories
-Music theory and analysis researcher with a secondary emphasis in music cognition
-Built environment and architectural acoustics researcher exploring amplification in public and private spaces

However, we encourage all strong candidates with relevant experience in related areas rather than those listed to apply.

Possible topics to be explored might include: amplification, musical instrument design and performance; microphones, vocal technique and performance; sound system design and cultures; public address systems; amplification and the experience of social belonging and community; intersections of amplification technology and practice with gender, race, class, and disability; amplification and recording studio practice; the politics and poetics of volume; amplification and its impact on music perception; how amplification affects the design of music venues and public spaces; and other related areas.

Applicants are sought with a knowledge of a broad range of different contexts and cultures. Proficiency in German, Japanese, or other non-English languages is desirable, though not required.

The University is deeply committed to equality and diversity for all its students and staff. We seek to be diverse and inclusive, supporting individuals and groups to fulfil their potential and nurture a sense of belonging. We strive to be an accessible, inclusive employer, removing barriers for all. Find out more about our approach to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, including our commitments and accreditations as a Disability Confident Employer, Stonewall Gold Award holder and Top 100 Employer, Athena SWAN Bronze Award holder and Race Equality Charter Bronze Award holder.

Informal enquires are welcome.

For further details about this post and to make an application please visit: http://hud.ac/sth

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