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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.

Support with your application

If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email careers@open.ac.uk quoting the advert reference number.

What's in it for you?

At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page (clicking this link will open a new window).

Flexible working

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

Work location

It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where you can work from home and the office. However, as this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office it is expected that you will attend the office at least once per week and in response to business needs. The post will also involve some field work visits to charities and museums.

Next steps in the Recruitment process

If shortlisted, we anticipate interviews taking place on either 17th or 18th June via MS Teams. 

Early closing date notification

While most roles will remain open until the advertised closing date, applications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis. In some cases, vacancies may close earlier if a sufficient number of suitable applications has been received and equality impacts have been appropriately considered. All roles will remain advertised for a minimum of one week before any early closure is implemented. If you have started an application or were in the process of applying when the advert closed, we encourage you to get in touch. We are committed to understanding individual circumstances and can offer further support where needed, including reasonable adjustments for applicants with protected characteristics. 

How to apply

To apply for this role please submit the following document(s):

• CV
• Supporting Statement (Your Supporting Statement should be no more than 1500 words and should outline how your skills and experience to date meet the essential and desirable criteria listed above)

You can view your progress and application communications when you are logged into our recruitment system.  Please check your spam/junk folders if you do not receive associated email updates.