PhD Student - the role of Song Lyrics in Shaping Urban Mobility Cultures and related Transitions. A NLP approach. - DTU Management

The Transportation Science Division at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) invites applications for a 3-year PhD position at the intersection of Social Sciences and Computer Science. The successful candidate will join the Human Behaviour Section and will work under the supervision of Professor Sonja Haustein and Associate Professor Filipe Rodrigues (Intelligent Transportation Systems Section).

You will explore what role music and song lyrics play in shaping urban mobility cultures and promoting sustainable mobility transitions. Applying Natural Language Processing (NLP), Large Language Models (LLMs), and qualitative analysis, you will investigate how different transport modes and urban forms are represented in song lyrics, considering factors such as language, region, and music genre. Furthermore, you will examine the role that music plays in influencing mobility cultures and driving related transitions, offering insights into how music can contribute to shaping societal perceptions of urban mobility. 

The PhD position is one of 13 PhD positions in the Marie Skłodowska Curie Action Doctoral Network Scheme TRANSFORM. TRANSFORM focuses on examining whether and to what extent transformative practices are effective mechanisms for activating and consolidating transitions in urban mobility cultures and their resulting socio-spatial effects. For more information on the project and the other 12 PhD positions, please visit the TRANSFORM homepage: www.transformresearch.eu.

As part of the doctoral network, you will participate in a joint interdisciplinary training programme organized by the participants of TRANSFORM. This includes, e.g., summer schools with your fellow PhDs and secondments at academic and practice partners of the network.

You either have an MSc background in Social Science or Humanities (e.g., Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Linguistics) or Computer Science. In the case of a Social Science/Humanities background, you should have demonstrated competencies in Natural language processing (NLP), the application of large language models, or have profound mathematical or statistical competencies that allow you to quickly acquire related competencies. In the case of a Computer Science/AI/Machine Learning background, you can demonstrate interest and knowledge in Psychology, Culture (Music), or Linguistics, e.g., through courses, applications, or student projects.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Music is an important part of human culture. Songs communicate emotions, a sense of connection, and social identity. Such identities can be connected to specific cities or regions (e.g., in songs like “Sweet Home Alabama” or “Bochum”), but we also find that transport modes often play a more or less prominent role in song lyrics and are connected to specific identities and symbolic meanings. A typical example is the association of cars with freedom and autonomy. The symbolic and affective meanings connected to more sustainable modes (e.g. bicycles, trains) seem much more diverse. These meanings may, for example, differ depending on regions/countries, sub-cultures, and music genres, and may underlie specific changes, which may drive or be driven by cultural or political trends. Applying NLP, you will analyse large amounts of song lyrics in terms of the symbolic-affective meanings underlying transport modes and explore to what extent music influences or is influenced by urban mobility cultures.

Your primary tasks will be to:

• Familiarize yourself with qualitative and quantitative methods for analysing literature, especially song lyrics.
• Familiarize yourself with literature on symbolic-affective motives connected to travel modes and mobility cultures
• Identify an approach for selecting and acquiring a large number of song lyrics and define meaningful boundaries (e.g. in terms of language, country, year, genre)
• Apply NLP to identify the symbolic-affective connotations related to different transport modes in song lyrics
• Analyze how different transport connotations vary with, e.g., countries/regions or music genre, and change over time, predicting or being influenced by specific trends
• Write academic papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Participate in international conferences and workshops
• Disseminate research results and support teaching as part of the overall PhD education

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree in Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Linguistics, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a similar degree. Ideally, you fulfil the following criteria: 

• Competences in NLP, large language models
• Strong foundation in statistical analysis
• Curiosity and interest in cross-cultural research, in particular in relation to music
• Interest in transport and mobility research and policies
• Enthusiasm to engage in an interdisciplinary multi-national team

You are an ambitious, self-organized individual with strong project management and communication skills. Proficient English language skills are required.

Approval and Enrolment 
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education. 

Mobility
The Mare Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Network aims to increase mobility for students and therefore only accept students who have not lived more than 12 of the last 36 months in the country to which they apply. You can find more information here. 

Assessment
The review of applications and interviews are expected to take place during June 2025.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. 

The period of employment is 3 years. The starting date is the 1 September 2025 or by mutual agreement. The position is a full-time position.

The post is offered under the conditions of the Marie Skłodowska Curie Action Doctoral Network Scheme and therefore attracts a salary that is determined by the regulations of this scheme. This minimum salary approximately equates to 49.678 € per year (pre-tax and social security), depending on the chosen candidate’s seniority.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Professor Sonja Haustein (sonh@dtu.dk) or Associate Professor Filipe Rodrigues (rodr@dtu.dk).

You can read more about DTU Management at www.man.dtu.dk/english.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU. 

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 31 May 2025 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

About the department
DTU Management conducts excellent research at the intersection of management, technology and economics. We develop solutions in close cooperation with companies and public authorities. Our research aims at strengthening welfare, productivity and sustainability. A key element is the role of technology and its interaction with industry and individuals. The department offers a wide range of courses and programs at bachelor, master, and PhD levels across DTU's study programs. The department has 200+ employees with around half of staff coming from abroad.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.