Postdoctoral Position in Music

University of Gothenburg

Sweden

Doctoral Students in Artistic Research in Music
Specialisation: Historical Keyboard Instrument Cultures
ERC Synergy Project REM@KE

Reference number: PAR 2025/977

The University of Gothenburg

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 58,000 students and 6,800 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The Artistic Faculty comprises two departments:

HDK-Valand – Academy of Art and Design
Academy of Music and Drama

As a faculty that unites art and learning, we are an independent, visionary and critical force in the necessary work of creating a more open and sustainable society.

Read more about the Academy of Music and Drama:
www.gu.se/en/music-drama

About REM@KE and the Open Doctoral Positions

REM@KE is a six-year interdisciplinary programme funded by the Synergy platform of the European Research Council, with a start date of 1 September 2025. The project builds new bridges between performance research, keyboard organology, and cognitive sciences.

Through micro-historical studies of four specific keyboard instruments from the Renaissance to the Romantic period, the project will develop new models of documentation, performance practice, and communication. Participants include senior researchers, doctoral students, museum professionals, performers, builders, and new audiences.

Principal Investigators:

Joel Speerstra (Gothenburg)
Massimiliano Guido (Pavia)
Andrea Schiavio (York)

REM@KE Research Themes Include:

Forgotten performance histories
Economic histories of keyboard cultures
History of material cultures and craftsmanship
Local cross-European and global networks
Makers, workshops, and cultures of patronage
Music as a maker’s art, including composition a mente and a penne

Doctoral Positions

Two doctoral students will be based at the Academy of Music and Drama in Gothenburg and will join other doctoral students in the REM@KE project:

Three in keyboard organology (Pavia)
Two in cognitive sciences (York)

The doctoral students will work with one or more of the following instrument traditions:

Bentside spinets of Girolamo Zenti
Harpsichords of Christian Zell
Combination instruments of Johann Andreas Stein
Chopin pianinos by Pleyel et Cie

Both positions will be filled simultaneously, and candidates are expected to have complementary expertise. Expertise in all four areas is not required.

Doctoral research will be planned in coordination with project leaders and must contribute to the REM@KE research goals. Travel for conferences and research trips is expected.

Possible Research Areas

Zenti Project

Early Italian keyboard repertoire
Pasquini and the partimento tradition
Continuo performance
Music history around the courts of Queen Christina in Stockholm and Rome
Zenti’s reception in London and Paris

Zell Project

Technique and performance practice within the Bach school
Connections between clavichord, harpsichord, and organ technique
Keyboard culture in Central and Northern Europe in the early 18th century

Stein Project

Fortepiano performance practice
Claviorgans: history and use
Viennese keyboard traditions around the Mozart family

Pleyel Pianino Project

Piano performance and technique in the early 19th century
Performance issues related to Chopin’s works
Development of French pianism

Duties

The doctoral programme comprises 240 higher education credits, equivalent to four years of full-time study:

60 credits coursework
180 credits dissertation

The course component includes compulsory faculty-wide courses, subject-specific introductory courses, elective courses, and compulsory doctoral seminars.

Doctoral students are part of the collegiate of Music and are expected to engage with bachelor’s and master’s education, as well as the daily research environment. A strong command of English is required.

Eligibility

General Entry Requirements

Applicants must have:

a master’s (second-cycle) degree, or
240 higher education credits, including at least 60 at master’s level, or
equivalent knowledge acquired in Sweden or abroad

The Dean of the Artistic Faculty may grant exemptions in special cases.

Specific Entry Requirements

Applicants must:

have at least 120 higher education credits in relevant subjects
demonstrate documented specialisation in relevant subject areas
have an independent project (thesis) of at least 30 credits
have solid artistic experience at a high international level

Equivalent knowledge acquired elsewhere may also qualify.

Assessment Criteria

Selection is based on the applicant’s ability to complete doctoral studies, assessed through:

artistic quality and originality
autonomous and critical thinking
familiarity with research processes
feasibility and quality of the proposed research project
engagement with the institution’s educational and research environment

Desired Criteria for REM@KE

relevance of the proposed project to REM@KE
relevance of the master’s thesis to REM@KE
documented early keyboard performance level
proficiency in English and relevant languages (French, Swedish, German, Italian)

Interviews will take place in March 2026 and are mandatory for admission.

Doctoral Studies in Musical Performance and Interpretation

The doctoral subject encompasses all musical genres and includes specialisations in interpretation, composition, improvisation, and music theory. Artistic practice forms a central component of the research, supported by scientific and artistic methods.

The programme leads to either a:

Doctor of Philosophy, or
Doctor of Arts

The choice of degree is discussed prior to admission.

More information:
https://www.gu.se/en/music-drama/doctoral-studies/musical-performance-and-interpretation

Research Environment

The Artistic Faculty offers a strong interdisciplinary research environment, including:

collaboration with HDK-Valand
interdisciplinary artistic forums
the PARSE research platform and biennial international conference
https://parsejournal.com/

The Academy participates in extensive international research networks.
Research overview: https://www.gu.se/en/music-drama/our-research

Admission and Employment

Employment type: Fixed-term doctoral position
Duration: 4 years
Scope: 100%
Location: Academy of Music and Drama, University of Gothenburg
Start date: 2026-09-01

Employment follows SFS 1993:100 and local doctoral regulations (GU 2024/2777).
Doctoral students must be physically present in Gothenburg.

Recruitment Procedure

Applications are reviewed by a recruitment group consisting of:

subject representatives
department researchers
a doctoral student representative
an external expert

Top-ranked applicants are invited to interviews.

Contact Information

Position-related questions:
Palle Dahlstedt
Head of Subject, Musical Performance and Interpretation
palle.dahlstedt@gu.se

REM@KE project:
Joel Speerstra
Principal Investigator
joel.speerstra@hsm.gu.se

Trade Union Representatives

Information available at:
https://www.gu.se/en/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted via the University of Gothenburg recruitment portal.

Required Documents:

Personal letter
CV with artistic documentation and links
Master’s thesis
Diplomas and certificates (translated if necessary)
Lecture-recital video (max. 20 minutes) with abstract and bibliography

Recommended application language: English

Further information:
https://www.gu.se/en/doctoral-studies

Application Deadline

15 February 2026

The University of Gothenburg values diversity and equal conditions. Salaries are set individually. Application documents are archived for two years in accordance with national regulations.

In your application, please refer to Professorpositions.com

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