From Bach to the Beatles (VW)

Postdoc position (100%) at the Digital and Cognitive Musicology Lab, EPFL, Lausanne

The Digital and Cognitive Musicology Laboratory (DCML) at EPFL is looking for a postdoc candidate to join the lab and to contribute to the research project “From Bach to the Beatles: Exploring Compositional Building Blocks and Musical Style Change with Hermeneutic and Computational Methods” funded by the Volkswagen Foundation. The project aims at theorizing characteristic polyphonic patterns (musical “schemata”), finding them in large musical corpora using computational approaches and analyzing the use of musical schemata across styles from the 18th to the 20th centuries.

Required profile

  • Applicants should have a PhD in one of the following fields: (empirical) musicology, computer science, music theory, or a closely related field.
  • Advanced knowledge in computer programming, machine learning, and statistical and mathematical modelling
  • Very good analytical skills; background in music theory and analysis (or willingness to learn the required skills); experience in planning and conducting empirical research projects
  • Team spirit with the ability to work in interdisciplinary collaborations
  • Fluent English (French an asset)

What we offer

  • A young and dynamic lab with members from diverse disciplinary backgrounds (musicology, computer science, psychology, and mathematics)
  • The EPFL provides an excellent and stimulating research and teaching environment as well as a dynamic and lively international campus with a vibrant student life and cultural events
  • Being located at the Lac Leman, Lausanne is a picturesque city with various possibilities for recreational and cultural activities

Start date

  • Starting date is flexible. We seek to fill the position as soon as possible.

Term of employment

  • Fixed-term (CDD)

Work rate

  • 100%

Duration

  • 1 year

Contact

  • Applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, list of publications, and a list of two references with full contact information to [email protected]. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Deadline for application

  • 15 January 2019