Research Fellow in Digital Musical Instrument Design

Applications are invited for the position of Research Fellow in Digital Musical Instrument Design

You will design, develop, and evaluate novel music and human-computer interaction technologies that combine wearable motion capture technology and 3D prototyping. You will examine a range of design and fabrication approaches for physically prototyping tactile objects and instruments. Additionally, you will develop and facilitate accessible user studies, workshops, and residencies to evaluate and co-design new interfaces with diverse participants, including disabled musicians. You will publish your work at major music technology and human-computer interaction conferences and journals.

The successful candidate will join the Music Interaction and Computational Arts (MICA) Lab working on the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funded Future Leaders Fellowship "Sensing Music Interactions from the Outside-In: Accessible Innovation Fusing Wearable Technology and Physical Prototyping". The project will examine technologies and methods to support the co-design and development of bespoke and accessible digital musical instruments. Project partners include MiMU Gloves, x-io Technologies, Watershed and Drake Music.

About you

As a Research Fellow you will hold (or be close to completion of) a PhD in computer music, product/industrial design, human-computer interaction (HCI), disability studies, mechanical engineering, mechatronics, robotics, design engineering or other relevant field with a suitable publication track record. Equivalent knowledge and experience gained through alternative pathways are also welcomed.

Experience with creative 3D prototyping as well as designing and running accessible user studies, workshops and residencies to co-design and evaluate interactive systems is also desirable.

The project and team are committed to meaningful improvement and change in terms of inclusion and accessibility. The project includes collaborations with disabled musicians, and we are led by the social model of disability. Consequently, disabled researchers and those with lived experience of disability are encouraged to apply.

Candidates should be willing to occasionally work out of typical working hours (including weekends), for example to attend performances or demonstrations, and to travel both nationally and internationally to conduct research and attend conferences.

Where is this role based?

The post will be located within a multidisciplinary space called The Bridge Studios, on our lively Frenchay campus

Why UWE Bristol?

We are one of the largest providers of Higher Education in the Southwest with 38,000 students and 4,000 staff from right across the globe.

We offer a wide range of employee benefits as well as retail savings, onsite nursery and opportunities for training, personal and professional development.

Further information

For more information see: www.micalab.org

This is a 24 month fixed-term post and is full-time working on a 1.0 FTE contract.

This post is available on a job share basis for applicants wishing to work part time.

Interviews are scheduled to take place at our Frenchay Campus on the week commencing 30/11/2026.

For informal enquiries, please contact Prof. Tom Mitchell on 0117 328 3349 or email: tom.mitchell@uwe.ac.uk.

This role is campus based with options for hybrid and flexible working.

We may be able to sponsor qualifying candidates for this role under the Home Office Skilled Worker visa route. Please read our Skilled Worker Guidance to assess if you will be eligible to be sponsored under the criteria.

Please note that UWE does not cover any visa or health surcharge costs.

Advice to applicants

If you would like to apply for this role, please complete our application form as soon as possible.

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