AI for Wearable Music Interfaces

An opportunity to apply for a funded full-time PhD in the College of Arts, Technology and Environment, UWE Bristol.

Ref 2526-OCT-CATE-02.

The expected start date of this studentship is 01 October 2025.

The closing date for applications is 01 July 2025.

We are delighted to offer a fully funded PhD studentship in AI for Wearable Music Interfaces.

The successful candidate will be based in School of Computing and Creative Technologies at The University of the West of England, Bristol where they will join the Music Interaction and Computational Arts (MICA) Lab. The MICA Lab is located within the Bridge Studios, an interdisciplinary research facility funded by a £4M investment from the Art and Humanities Research Council, West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and UWE Bristol. The Lab includes over 500m2 of studio space at UWE’s Frenchay Campus.

We invite studentship applications from enthusiastic individuals who are strongly motivated to help push the boundaries of machine learning and gestural interaction for music. Proposals should outline a research project that uses time-series classification to support the detection of musical gestures and interactions with different materials and surfaces, captured using wearable technology. Proposals should state why there is a need for further investigation in the chosen area, along with an initial research question(s) and plan.

The project and team are committed to meaningful improvement and change in terms of inclusion and accessibility. Diversity enhances research, and we welcome applications from those who will bring balance to our team, including those from communities who experience racism, sexism, ableism or any other barriers.

For an informal discussion about the studentship, please email Tom Michell at Tom.Mitchell@uwe.ac.uk

The studentship is available from 01 October 2025 for a period of three and half years, subject to satisfactory progress and includes a tax exempt stipend, which is currently £20,780 per annum.

In addition, full-time tuition fees will be covered for up to three years.

Applicants must have an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification in computer science, machine learning, AI or another relevant field. Equivalent knowledge and experience gained through alternative pathways is also welcomed.

A recognised English language qualification is required.

Please submit your application online. When prompted use the reference number 2526-OCT-CATE-02.

Supporting documentation: You will need to upload your research proposal, all your degree certificates and transcripts and your proof of English language proficiency as attachments to your application, so please have these available when you complete the application form.

References: You will need to provide details of two referees as part of your application. At least one referee must be an academic referee from the institution that conferred your highest degree. Your referee will be asked for a reference at the time you submit your application, so please ensure that your nominated referees are willing and able to provide references within 14 days of your application being submitted.

The closing date for applications is 01 July 2025.

It is expected that interviews will take place on weeks commencing 14 July 2025. If you have not heard from us by this time, we thank you for your application but on this occasion you have not been successful.