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Music Neuroscience Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Neurology

Saint Louis, MO

$311K - $388K/yr

Opportunities for stroke and neuroscience research * Opportunity to read EEG & EMG * Advanced ... Saint Louis offers major metro amenities including live music venues, professional sports teams ...

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Music Neuroscience Research information

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$43K

$105.3K

$155.5K

How much do music neuroscience research jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for music neuroscience research in the United States is $105,259.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,500.00 and $127,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Music Neuroscience Research vs Music Therapist?

AspectMusic Neuroscience ResearchMusic Therapist
CredentialsAdvanced degrees in neuroscience, psychology, or related fieldsCertification in music therapy, often a master's degree in music therapy
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, universities, hospitalsHospitals, clinics, schools, community settings
Employer & IndustryAcademic institutions, research organizationsHealthcare providers, mental health organizations

Music Neuroscience Research focuses on studying how music affects brain function through scientific experiments, often in academic or clinical research settings. In contrast, a Music Therapist applies music-based interventions directly to clients to improve mental, emotional, or physical health. Both roles require specialized credentials but serve different purposes within the music and health industries.

What are some common challenges faced in music neuroscience research, and how can new researchers prepare for them?

One common challenge in Music Neuroscience Research is integrating knowledge from both neuroscience and music theory, which often requires researchers to be comfortable with interdisciplinary collaboration. Additionally, designing experiments that effectively measure neurological responses to music can be complex, as it involves advanced neuroimaging techniques and data analysis. New researchers can prepare by gaining foundational skills in both neuroscience methods and music analysis, as well as seeking mentorship from professionals in both fields. Regular collaboration with statisticians, musicians, and clinicians also helps to create well-rounded research projects.

What is music neuroscience research?

Music neuroscience research is a scientific field that explores how the brain perceives, processes, and responds to music. Researchers use tools like brain imaging, behavioral experiments, and electrophysiology to investigate questions about music cognition, emotion, memory, and neural plasticity. This research helps us understand the effects of music on the brain, including its potential therapeutic applications for neurological disorders and mental health. By studying music and the brain, scientists gain insights into both music’s unique properties and broader principles of brain function.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in music neuroscience research?

To excel in Music Neuroscience Research, you need a strong background in neuroscience, psychology, and music theory, often supported by an advanced degree (such as a PhD) in a related field. Familiarity with neuroimaging tools (fMRI, EEG), statistical analysis software (SPSS, MATLAB, R), and research methodologies is essential. Excellent analytical thinking, creativity, and collaborative communication skills set outstanding researchers apart. These abilities are vital for designing rigorous experiments, interpreting complex data, and advancing understanding in this interdisciplinary field.
More about Music Neuroscience Research jobs
What cities are hiring for Music Neuroscience Research jobs? Cities with the most Music Neuroscience Research job openings:
What states have the most Music Neuroscience Research jobs? States with the most job openings for Music Neuroscience Research jobs include:
Infographic showing various Music Neuroscience Research job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,259 per year, or $50.6 per hour.

Assistant Professor in Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience - Department of Psychology and Neuro

The University of Tennessee Knoxville

Knoxville, TN • On-site

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago


University Of Tennessee, Knoxville rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 59 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

382nd of 617 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Description
The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Cognitive and/or Computational Neuroscience. We are looking for a faculty who can enrich and expand existing cognitive neuroscience research. We invite applications from individuals who use behavioral, computational, and/or neuroscience approaches to study cognitive processes including perception, attention, learning, memory systems, language, executive function, motor control, or decision-making. The position will begin on August 1, 2027.
About the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience:
The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience has three Ph.D. programs (Counseling, Clinical, and Experimental) and one M.A. (Experimental) program and comprises 37 tenure-line faculty, and 8 full-time teaching faculty, and 3 full-time clinical faculty. The Experimental program is a vibrant and diverse community of scientists who conduct a wide range of animal and human research. It includes three sub-disciplines (Cognitive and Developmental Sciences, Neuroscience & Behavior, and Social). The successful candidate will join the Cognitive and Developmental Sciences area which consists of 8 tenure-line faculty. The department is committed to mentoring new faculty to be successful in their academic careers. New faculty are assigned a mentoring committee. The Department has an excellent record in helping faculty successfully earn promotion and tenure. Information about the department, our undergraduate Psychology and Neuroscience programs, and our graduate programs is online at http://psychology.utk.edu.
About the University of Tennessee, Knoxville:
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville is the flagship university and the premier public research institute in the State of Tennessee. The University is beginning a next-level initiative aimed both at substantially elevating the University's national reputation for impactful research, scholarship, and creative activity and at assembling a roster of faculty committed to delivering one of the nation's best educational experiences for undergraduate and graduate students. There are extensive opportunities for collaborations with members of the Neuroscience Network of East Tennessee (NeuroNET), National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS), and nearby Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
About Knoxville:
The city of Knoxville is a hidden gem with a beautiful and walkable downtown, thriving music scene (https://bigearsfestival.org/), active neighborhoods, hundreds of miles of greenways, and eclectic shopping and restaurants. Knoxville is located within easy driving distance to Asheville, Nashville, Atlanta, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm). More information about Knoxville can be found at https://www.visitknoxville.com/ and https://insideofknoxville.com/.
Qualifications
Applicants must have Ph.D. in Cognition, Neuroscience, or a related field by August 1, 2027.
The ideal candidate should have a strong research record and enthusiasm for teaching at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Position responsibilities include maintaining a productive research program, teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels, and directing graduate student research. The successful candidate will be expected to have either existing or strong potential for obtaining extramural funding, build a widely recognized research program, provide high-quality instruction and advising to a diverse group of graduate and undergraduate students, actively engage with colleagues from a wide range of disciplines, and engage in departmental, institutional, and professional service.
Application Instructions
All materials should be electronically submitted to Interfolio (https://apply.interfolio.com/189584). Applicants should submit:
  • A cover letter detailing your interests and qualifications relating to research, teaching, and service.

  • A current CV

  • A research statement (2-3 pages)

  • A teaching and mentoring philosophy

  • Three representative publications

  • Contact information for three references (names, email addresses, and phone numbers)

Review of applications will begin on October 1, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. Any questions about the search can be directed to Dr. Caglar Tas (caglartas@utk.edu).

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