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The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education. This project is a collaboration between the Music Computing Lab and the Knowledge Media Institute, both in the Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics.

The role
The role is part of the €3M Polifonia project, funded by the EU Horizon 2020 Programme. The overall goal of this project is to create new technologies for interacting with music. Within the Polifonia project, this role will be focused on the ACCESS Pilot, based at the Open University in Milton Keynes, whose aim is to explore technologically mediated ways to improve inclusion and engagement in musical activities via innovative haptic, gestural, and visual interaction. In particular, ACCESS explores:

• Haptic interaction for rhythm (including for those with hearing impairments).
• Gestural interaction for harmony (including for those with physical or cognitive disabilities).
• Systems for deeper public engagement with music, for example at public events.
• Novel, intuitive forms of music search for use within the Polifonia ecosystem.

We are seeking an enthusiastic researcher with skills in interactive music computing to work as a Research Assistant (RA) to support the management, evaluation, and refinement of interactive music systems developed for the project, and to support their use by target users. The RA will work closely with, and be part of, a small interdisciplinary team at the OU including the ACCESS Pilot lead, Dr. Simon Holland, Director of the Music Computing Lab; the OU Polifonia Lead, Dr Enrico Daga; and Dr Paul Mulholland, Senior Research Fellow in Human Computer Interaction.The post is a fixed term part time 50% FTE (or > 50%, by negotiation), position to start as soon as possible, and not later than May 2023. The post must finish by April 2024.

• Formal or informal musical skills. Active interest in making music with other people.

• Skills with one or more music programming languages (for example, Max, Pure Data, Supercollider, Web Audio, Python or JavaScript with music libraries).

• Good academic writing and personal communication skills.

The full summary of duties and person specification can be found within the Job Description. If you would like to discuss this role before applying, please contact Simon Holland at [email protected] . If you would like to discuss the application or recruitment process before making an application, please contact Simon Malkin at Resourcing Hub on 01908 655544 or [email protected] quoting the reference 20736 Research Assistant, Polifonia.

What you get in return

We have a strong commitment to providing training and development in and beyond your current role. This includes thorough induction into the organisation and regular reviews of your training and development needs.

We also offer a great range of benefits that support our employees and their families for the long term. Staff Benefits include an attractive pension proposition and 33 days holiday per annum pro rata, plus Bank Holidays and Christmas closure days.

How to apply

Unless otherwise stated in the advert, all applications are completed online via the OU Job’s page and following the instructions below and clicking the “APPLY NOW” link below. Applications submitted via 3rd party websites will not be considered.

Access details for disabled applicants are available from the Resourcing Hub, telephone: 01908 655544, quoting the vacancy reference above.

To apply for this role please submit the following:

• CV
• Personal statement, up to 1,000 words, you should set out in your statement why you’re interested in this role and provide examples of where your skills and experience meet the required competencies for this role as detailed in the job and person specification.

The above documents will need to be submitted as one attachment during the application process, please include the personal statement followed by the CV in this document.

To ensure your file is uploaded to our system correctly, please make sure your document is saved with the following file name as appropriate to the vacancy you are applying for: reference, surname, first initial.

You will need to have your documents ready ahead of submitting the electronic application.

You will receive updates regarding your application from [email protected]. Please ensure this email address is added to your list of trusted senders. Please also keep an eye on your junk folder to ensure you do not miss any important updates regarding this role.

You can view your application communications on the Candidate portal.

Please note: If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that on this occasion you have not been selected for interview, however we thank you for your interest in The Open University and encourage you to apply for future positions.

Find out more about us and our mission by watching this short video (you will be taken to YouTube by clicking this link).

Closing date: 27th February 2023 at 12:00 midday

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.