Suvi Saarikallio

The University of Jyväskylä is recruiting 5–9 Postdoctoral Researchers for the Centre of Excellence in Music, Mind, Body and Brain (CoE) at the Department of Music, Art and Culture Studies. This is a three-year fixed-term, externally funded position starting on 2027-01-04. The CoE studies the cognitive, emotional, bodily, and interactive experiences of music, including how music experience changes across the lifespan and how it manifests in health and illness. The research programme also examines how music-based interventions may support learning, development, everyday wellbeing, and rehabilitation. A central feature of the centre is the integration of experimental, computational, psychometric, and statistical approaches to understand musical engagement and its mechanisms. The successful candidates will conduct fundamental research, design studies within the centre’s themes, analyse complex behavioural and/or physiological data, contribute to interdisciplinary collaboration across psychology, music, neuroscience, education, health sciences, and computer science, publish in peer-reviewed journals, present internationally, mentor master’s students, and help develop grant applications and collaborative initiatives. Applicants must hold a PhD in a relevant field such as psychology, neuroscience, musicology, music technology, education, health sciences, computer science, or data science, and the PhD must be completed before the start date. Strong expertise in one or more core themes—such as music and emotion, movement and entrainment, social interaction, development, health and wellbeing, or music therapy—is expected, together with advanced methodological skills and excellent English communication skills. The salary follows the Finnish University Salary System and is expected to be approximately 3600–4800 € per month gross, depending on experience and qualifications. Additional benefits include a holiday bonus, occupational healthcare, and relocation support for those moving from abroad. To apply, candidates must use the online application system and ensure their ORCID profile is public and up to date. Application materials must be submitted in English and PDF format and include a CV, a research plan (max 4 pages), a motivation/cover letter (max 2 pages), a numbered publication list, and a degree certificate. The application deadline is 2026-09-13.

The University of Jyväskylä is recruiting 2-6 Doctoral Researchers for a 3-year fixed-term position in the Centre of Excellence in Music, Mind, Body and Brain (MMBB) at the Department of Music, Art and Culture Studies. The position begins on 4 January 2027 and is intended for completing doctoral studies alongside research activity within the centre. The MMBB Centre of Excellence studies the cognitive, emotional, bodily, and interactive experiences of music. Its research examines how music experience changes across the life span and how it appears in health and illness, while also exploring how music-based interventions can support learning, development, everyday well-being, and rehabilitation. The programme is strongly interdisciplinary and integrates experimental, computational, psychometric, and statistical approaches to understand the mechanisms and outcomes of musical engagement. The doctoral researcher will work closely with the MMBB research team and contribute to data collection and analysis in multiple settings. The role is research-focused, with expectations to carry out rigorous quantitative research, publish findings in international peer-reviewed journals, and complete the doctoral studies required for the PhD degree. In addition to research, the tasks may include assisting teaching and other related duties. Applicants should hold a master’s degree in psychology, neuroscience, musicology, music technology, education, health sciences, computer science, data science, or another relevant field. Useful experience includes physiological measurement, psychometrics, movement analysis, experimental design, data processing, or prior research/publishing related to the centre’s themes. Strong English-language academic writing and communication skills are required, as is motivation to complete dissertation research in an international and multidisciplinary environment. Selected candidates must also have permission for postgraduate studies at the University of Jyväskylä and must apply separately for postgraduate study rights after selection. The position is based at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland. Salary follows the Finnish University Salary System and begins at approximately 2500 EUR per month gross, with a holiday bonus and later adjustment according to thesis progress. The university also highlights relocation support, occupational healthcare, and a supportive international research community. Applications must be submitted online by 13 September 2026. The application should include a CV, research plan, motivation letter, publication list if applicable, MA thesis text and evaluations if available, diploma of the highest degree, and study transcripts. Email applications are not accepted.