Glasgow Caledonian University
Analysis of music structure in relation to listening experience, musical preferences and health
Glasgow Caledonian University – School of Engineering and Computing
Opportunity for a PhD Studentship in: Analysis of music structure in relation to listening experience, musical preferences and health
Applications are invited for a full-time PhD research Studentship within the School of Engineering and Computing. The studentship is for a period of three years, subject to satisfactory progress and provides payment of tuition fees at the UK/EU rate plus an annual stipend of £14,275*. The successful candidate is expected to undertake up to 6 hours of academic support activity per week.
*[please note that students from outside the EU are required to pay the difference between International and EU fees, currently this would amount to £6,100 per annum. This will be deducted from the stipend at the beginning of each session providing an annual stipend of £8,175.]
Project Description
Collaborative, inter-disciplinary research is being carried out by audio researchers in the school of Engineering and Computing and the Music Psychology research group studying the effects of preferred music in a variety of contexts. This includes studies on performance and enjoyment during game play, and the effects of preferred music upon perceived control over pain. A key research question relating to these studies is whether or not there are any structural similarities within participant selected musical choices. A motivated and talented researcher is sought to aid in the investigation of these issues, develop upon existing strengths within the university, and further enhance GCU’s reputation for multidisciplinary music research at an international level.
The successful applicant will have a good honours degree (minimum 2.1) or Masters in an audio related discipline, a solid background in audio signal analysis, music information retrieval, and experience in programming with Matlab. A strong interest in the psychology of music is highly desirable, as is a positive attitude to inter-disciplinary research and teamwork. The successful candidate will be supported by the School of Engineering and Computing, and also by the department of Psychology.
The project objectives are as follows:
- Investigate how structural components of music may inform listener music preferences, their listening experience (including emotional response), and the effects upon their feelings of personal wellbeing.
- Produce a series of innovative experiments toward this goal, the results of which will be disseminated through peer reviewed publication.
- Develop and enhance audio and music signal analysis algorithms for effect upon emotional response, personal wellbeing and health.
- To contribute to the growing body of knowledge relating to the effects of music listening upon a variety of health parameters.
- To highlight the complex and multifaceted relationship between preference and music structure.
For informal enquiries and further details of this project please contact d.knox@gcal.ac.uk (Dr Don Knox, School of Engineering and Computing).
How to Apply:
Application forms are available
Please state the Project Title on the completed application form.
The closing date for applications is Friday 15th January 2010
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Tags: Association of Commonwealth Universities, Commission of European Communities, Doctor of Philosophy, Don Knox, Education, Emotion, Entertainment_Culture, Florence Network, GBP, Glasgow Caledonian University, motivated and talented researcher, Music, music signal analysis algorithms, Musicology, pain, Psychology, research group, School of Engineering, School of Engineering and Computing, Technology_Internet, United Kingdom
