Kungliga Tekniska högskolan,

Project description
Third-cycle subject: Media Technology
The project you will work in is funded by the Swedish agency Vetenskapsrådet, and is titled “Historically informed design of sound synthesis”. Based on a forgotten treasure, the Elektronmusikstudion (EMS) collection of historical analog synthesizers from the 60ies and 70ies, we aim to create a series of digital electronic music instruments enabling different expressions and instrumental forms. Your task will be to explore the collection, to implement digital emulations of some of the instruments, and to develop user interfaces for them. You will then collaborate with artists at the royal college of music (KMH) to use these instruments within new compositions, and conduct user tests with online communities.Your work will take place at the Division of Media Technology and Interaction design (MID), in the Sound and Music Computing (SMC) team. You will collaborate with the Royal College of Music and with the organization hosting the synthesizer collection (Musikverket). In addition, you will be able to apply for short term scientific missions to visit partners in the Nordic SMC network during your studies.

Supervision: The doctoral student will be supervised by: Andre Holzapfel (main supervisor), Sandra Pauletto (co-supervisor, KTH), Henrik Frisk, (co-supervisor, KMH), Dan Lundberg (co-supervisor, Musikverket). 

What we offer

  • The possibility to study in a dynamic and international research environment in collaboration with industries and prominent universities from all over the world. Read more
  • A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s doctoral student salary agreement.
  • Postgraduate education at an institution that is active and supportive in matters pertaining to working conditions, gender equality and diversity as well as a study environment.
  • Help to relocate and be settled in Sweden and at KTH.
  • The SMC team consists of four members of faculty, a postdoc, and six Ph.D. students. Their fields of expertise are Sound and Music Computing, Music Information Retrieval, Media production, and Ethnomusicology. We have strong connections to other institutions, both regionally and internationally, for instance through the NAVET and Nordic SMC networks. More info on the team here.

Eligibility
To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

  • passed a degree at an advanced level, in sound and music computing, human-computer interaction in the context of music technology, or similar.
  • completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at an advanced level, or
  • in any other way acquired within or outside the country acquired essentially equivalent knowledge.
  • Language requirements

Selection
In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH, you need to be goal-oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process, candidates will be based upon their ability to:

  • independently pursue his or her work
  • collaborate with others,
  • have a professional approach and
  • analyze and work with complex issues.

Required previous knowledge/experience of: 

  • Studies/Education/Professional Experience in sound design is regarded as essential, ideally in the context of the implementation of digital music instruments.
  • Knowledge of the history of electronic music instruments is desirable.

After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities and personal suitability.

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information regarding admission and employment
Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years ' time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

Union representatives
You will find contact information for union representatives on KTH's website.

Doctoral section (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)
You will find contact information for the doctoral section on the section's website.

Application
Apply for the position and admission through KTH's recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/central European Summer Time).

Applications must include the following elements:

  • A CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
  • Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
  • Copy of the degree certificate(s) and transcripts of records from your previously attended university-level institutions and certificates of fulfilled language requirements.These need to be translated into English or Swedish if the original documents are not issued in one of these languages.
  • Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other information
Gender equality, diversity and zero tolerance against discrimination and harassment are important aspects of KTH's work with quality as well as core values in our organization.

For information about the processing of personal data in the recruitment process please read here.

We firmly decline all contact with staffing and recruitment agencies and job ad salespersons.

Disclaimer: In case of a discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment In agreement with supervisor, preferably May 2020
Salary Monthly salary according to KTH's doctoral student salary agreement
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Stockholm
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number J-2020-0295
Contact
  • Andre Holzapfel, Assistant Professor, holzap@kth.se
  • Sarah Kullgren, HR Officer, sarahku@kth.se
Published 13.Feb.2020
Last application date 20.Mar.2020 11:59 PM CET

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