PhD position in music feedback with infants

[Tom Fritz <fritz@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Auditory List
we are seeking to fill a PhD position, see below.
Best regards, 
Thomas Fritz


Investigation of cognitive benefits of a music associated education program for infants

The Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, and Musikkindergarten Berlin are offering a  PhD position for 3 years  in a research project on cognitive benefits of a music associated education program for 1 and 2 year old infants. This project is funded by the Musikkindergarten Berlin and focuses on music supported interaction with environments, with a focus on musical immersion by combining physical activity with music making. This work relates to recent research on cognitive benefits of Jymmin, a method that combines physical exercise with music making.
Research questions include: How does the musical activity influence attention and concentration in infants? How does it influence social skills? How does it influence speech capabilities? What are long-term effects of early music immersion experiences?

Applicants must hold a master’s degree (or equivalent) in Psychology, Cognitive Science, Neuroscience, Linguistics, or a related field. The successful applicant will have a profound background in statistics and experimental procedures with infants. Proficiency in oral and written English is mandatory. Experience in the acquisition and analysis of data with infants and music skills is preferable. 

Most importantly, the successful applicant will share the enthusiasm for research questions on the early acquisition of cognitive capabilities and enjoy the scientific work with infants, also in the context of the innovative music day care Musikkindergarten Berlin.  
Preferable starting date is October 15th, 2016. Interviews will be held in September and October. 
 
The research project is partly conducted at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig, Germany, an internationally leading center for cognitive and imaging neuroscience, and the Musikkindergarten Berlin, an innovative music day care center. PhD students will have the opportunity to attend an International Max-Planck Research School.  

Applications should be sent to fritz@xxxxxxxxxx as a single, appropriately named pdf email attachment, using the code “PhD KITA 10/16” in the subject.  
Applications should enclose the following information:
•	Statement of motivation, describing personal qualifications and future research interests
•	Curriculum vitae
•	Contact details of two referees 

This call closes on October 5th, 2016.  
For further details, please contact Prof. Dr. Thomas Fritz (fritz@xxxxxxxxxx).




-- 
Prof. Dr. Thomas Fritz
research group "Music Evoked Brain Plasticity"
http://www.cbs.mpg.de/departments/neurology/music-evoked-brain-plasticity
Dept of Neurology
Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences
Stephanstrasse 1a, 04103 Leipzig, Germany

professor for empirical music research
at the Institute for Psychoacoustics and Electronic Music (IPEM)
University of Gent
Technicum Blok 2, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 41, 9000 Ghent, Belgium