Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter

Universität zu Köln; Sankt Augustin; Hybrid; EUR 40.000 - 60.000; Teilzeit

Zusammenfassung

A leading European university is seeking a Research Fellow to explore gesture-vocalization resemblance in beatboxing. The successful candidate will contribute to project development, record performance data, analyze findings, and assist in scientific workshop organization. A Master's degree in relevant fields and strong communication skills in English are required. This part-time position offers flexible working and a stimulating research environment.

Leistungen

Stimulating research environment

Opportunity to pursue a doctorate

Flexible working time models

Occupational health management offers

Qualifikationen

• Completed Master's degree in human movement science, cognitive science, gesture studies, or related discipline.
• Experience with computer vision, EMG, and time-series analysis.
• Excellent English communication and writing skills.

Aufgaben

• Develop project‘s theoretical framework and methodological approaches.
• Record video and audio data of beatbox performances.
• Apply computer vision methods for pose tracking.
• Analyze data using statistical methods.
• Assist in organizing scientific workshops.

Kenntnisse

Computer vision methods

Kinematic data analysis

EMG recording and analysis

Excellent English communication

Ausbildung

Master's degree in relevant fields

Jobbeschreibung

We are one of the largest and oldest universities in Europe and one of the most important employers in our region. Our broad range of subjects, the dynamic development of our main research areas and our central location in Cologne make us attractive for students and researchers from around the world. We offer a wide range of career opportunities in science, technology, and administration.

We are seeking a Research Fellow for the project “Iconicity in co-singing gesture: the foundations of gesture-vocalization resemblance in beatboxing” under the direction of Professor Dr Lara Pearson. The project examines the mechanisms gestural iconicity in beatbox performance and is part of the ViCom DFG Priority Program. Consequently, the successful candidate will benefit from regular meetings and collaborations with other visual communication projects within this overarching framework.

YOUR TASKS

• Contribute to the development of the project‘s theoretical framework and methodological approaches.
• Record video, kinematic, surface electromyography (EMG), and audio data of beatbox performances at the University of Cologne.
• Apply computer vision methods for pose tracking from video.
• Analyse kinematic, EMG, and audio data using statistical methods, and work as part of a team to publish the results.
• Contribute to the development of tools for the automated annotation of acoustic and gesture events.
• Assist the PI in the organization of scientific workshops.

YOUR PROFILE

• Completed Master’s degree in human movement science, cognitive science and AI, gesture studies, cognitive linguistics, voice studies, computational musicology or a related discipline (language).
• Experience with or willingness to acquire skills in computer vision approaches for pose tracking from video, EMG recording and analysis, vocal recording and analysis, time-series analysis.
• Excellent English communication and writing skills.

WE OFFER

• A stimulating research environment.
• Opportunity to pursue a doctorate on the topics covered in the project.
• A diverse working environment with equal opportunities.
• Support in balancing work and family life.
• Extensive advanced training opportunities.
• Occupational health management offers.
• Flexible working time models.
\
• Opportunity to work remotly.

The University of Cologne promotes equal opportunities and diversity. Women will be considered preferentially in accordance with the Equal Opportunities Act of North Rhine-Westphalia (esgleichstellungsgesetz – LGG NRW). We also expressly welcome applications from all suitable candidates regardless of their gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.

The position is available from 1 April 2026 on a part‑time basis (25.89 hours per week). The position is to be filled for a fixed term until 31 March 2029. If the applicant meets the relevant wage requirements and personal qualifications, the salary is based on remuneration group 13 TV‑L of the pay scale for the German public sector.

Please apply online with proof of the required qualifications (without a photo) under https://jobportal.uni-koeln.de. The reference number is Wiss2512‑05. The application deadline is 12 January 2026.

For further inquiries, please contact Professor Dr Lara Pearson ([e-mail]) and take a look at our FAQs.

Research Fellow in Iconicity in Co‑singing Gesture (f/m/x)

Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Institute of Musicology