The University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character. The University was founded in 2003 and counts more than 6,700 students and more than 2,000 employees from around the world. The University’s faculties and interdisciplinary centres focus on research in the areas of Computer Science and ICT Security, Materials Science, European and International Law, Finance and Financial Innovation, Education, Contemporary and Digital History. In addition, the University focuses on cross-disciplinary research in the areas of Data Modelling and Simulation as well as Health and System Biomedicine. Times Higher Education ranks the University of Luxembourg #3 worldwide for its “international outlook,” #20 in the Young University Ranking 2021 and among the top 250 universities worldwide.
The Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (FHSE) brings together expertise from the humanities, linguistics, cognitive sciences, social and educational sciences. People from across 20 disciplines are working within the Faculty. Along with the disciplinary approach a very ambitious interdisciplinary research culture has been developed.
The faculty’s research and teaching focuses on social, economic, political and educational issues with the common goal of contributing to an inclusive, open and resourceful society. The FHSE offers four Bachelor and 15 Master degrees and a doctoral school providing students with the necessary knowledge and high-qualified skills to succeed in their future career.
The PhD position will be focused on conducting mixed-method research in Early Childhood Music Education, focusing on learning how to play a musical instrument in the early years (5-8) and on the role of the body and body movement in the instrumental music learning process.
The successful applicant will work in the field of Early Childhood Music Education and will contribute to the research program led by Prof. dr. Luc Nijs, while being affiliated to the Institute of Musicology and Arts, situated within the Department of Education and Social Work (DESW). The PhD candidate will engage in independent as well as collaborative music educational research.
Your Role…
Under the direction of Prof. Dr. Luc Nijs, the successful candidate will:
- Engage in research targeted at receiving a PhD in Early Childhood Music Education (cumulative; i.e. based on peer-reviewed publications)
- Conduct an in-depth literature review (academic & professional) to support the research plan
- Carry out a number of experimental studies in accordance with the goals of the overall research objectives of the research program of Prof. dr. Luc Nijs
- Record and analyze experimental data, coordinate the organization of data-sets, including video data collection and management, and multi-level data analysis
- Engage in international opportunities for learning and development (i.e., doctoral summer school possibilities)
- Take responsibility for administrative tasks within conducted studies
- Author, and co-author, international publications (in English-speaking peer reviewed journals and at scientific conferences)
What we expect from you…
Desired candidates will have:
- An excellent master’s degree or equivalent in instrumental music education (achieved by the time of application)
- Experience as an instrumental music teacher, preferably in early childhood music education
- Experience in digital signal processing is a big plus, but applicants should be interested in and willing to learn quantitative measurement and analysis of human movement
- A good knowledge of, and interest, in mixed research methods
- Ambition to conduct high-level research
- A problem-solving attitude and the ability to take initiative and work both independently and collaboratively
- Critical thinking self-reflective skills, and eagerness to learn
- Ability to work independently as well as cooperatively
- Willingness to travel internationally for conferences and training opportunities
- Excellent communication skills and proficiency in written and oral English. Additional proficiency in either Luxembourgish, German or French is also required, due to the multilingual nature of our data resources
- A publication record that includes peer-reviewed publications in English will be considered an asset
- Experience in working as part of a multi-professional team and/or with early childhood teachers will be considered an asset
We offer…
- Affiliation to an active research group with a profile of diverse activities
- An exciting and relevant research topic
- Excellent research conditions at an international and multilingual university
- Possibility to receive PhD based on publications and within a very reasonable amount of time
- Participation in a committed and interdisciplinary team
In Short…
- Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 36 Month (extendable up to 48 months if required)
- Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
- Earliest starting date: October 2022
- Location: Belval
- Employee and student status
- Job Reference: UOL05104
The yearly gross salary for every PhD at the UL is EUR 38.028,96 (full time)
How to apply…
Applications should be submitted online and include:
- A letter of motivation
- Certificates and transcripts of records from your Bachelor and Master programmes
- A short description of your Master’s dissertation (max. 1 page)
- A detailed CV, including publication record and teaching experience
- Contact details for at least two referees
Early application is highly encouraged, as the applications will be processed upon reception. Please apply formally through the HR system. Applications by email will not be considered.
The University of Luxembourg embraces inclusion and diversity as key values. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff.
Here’s what awaits you at the University
- Multilingual and international character. Modern institution with a personal atmosphere. Staff coming from 90 countries. Member of the “University of the Greater Region” (UniGR).
- A modern and dynamic university. High-quality equipment. Close ties to the business world and to the Luxembourg labour market. A unique urban site with excellent infrastructure.
- A partner for society and industry. Cooperation with European institutions, innovative companies, the Financial Centre and with numerous non-academic partners such as ministries, local governments, associations, NGOs …
Further information…
For further information you may contact Prof. dr. Luc Nijs (luc.nijs@uni.lu)