Doctoral Researcher "Model-based and learning-based approaches for acoustical signal processing"

About us:
The School VI of Medicine and Health Sciences comprises the fields of human medicine, medical physics and acoustics, neurosciences, psychology and health services research. Together with the four regional hospitals, School VI forms the University Medicine Oldenburg. Furthermore, the university cooperates closely with the University Medicine of the University of Groningen.

The main activities of the Signal Processing Division ( http://www.sigproc.uni-oldenburg.de ) center around signal processing for acoustical and biomedical applications, with a focus on hearing aids and speech communication devices. More specifically, research topics in the areas of microphone array processing, speech enhancement and acoustic scene analysis are addressed, using a combination of model-based statistical signal processing techniques and data-driven machine learning methods. The Signal Processing Division has access to excellent high-performance computing facilities, measurement equipment and labs, e.g., a unique lab with variable acoustics (see demos on YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@signalprocessingunioldenbu1018 )

Your tasks:

• conduct research on hybrid methods for acoustical signal processing, combining model-based statistical signal processing with modern deep learning approaches. Possible research directions include deep structured state-space models for noise reduction and dereverberation, deep learning-aided subspace methods for acoustic source localization, and interpretable DNN-based beamforming techniques using multiple microphones.
• publish research results in scientific journals
• present research findings and actively participate in international conferences
• actively contribute to research meetings and seminars in the Department of Medical Physics and Acoustics
• supervise student projects and contribute to teaching activities (3 hours per week)

Your profile:
Required qualifications

• academic university degree (Master or equivalent) in electrical engineering, computer science, engineering physics, hearing technology, or a related discipline
• excellent grades in digital signal processing and machine learning courses
• knowledge and scientific experience in at least two of the following research fields: speech/audio processing, statistical signal processing, machine learning
• very good programming skills (e.g., python, Matlab)
• very good written and spoken English language skills

Preferred qualifications:

• experience with DNN-based speech enhancement or source localization algorithms
• good communication skills
• ability to work in a team

We offer:

• Integration into a dedicated international team and an excellent scientific environment
• Intensive support during your doctorate
• Access to excellent acoustical labs and computing facilities
• Payment in accordance with collective bargaining law (special annual payment, company pension scheme, asset-related benefits) incl. 30 days annual leave
• Support and guidance during your onboarding phase
• A family-friendly environment with flexible working hours (flexitime) and the possibility of pro-rata mobile work
• An extensive and free further education programme as well as programmes geared toward the promotion of early-career researchers ( https://uol.de/en/school6/early-career

Our standards:
The University of Oldenburg is dedicated to increase the percentage of female employees in the field of science. Therefore, female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. In accordance to § 21 Section 3 NHG, female candidates with equal qualifications will be preferentially considered. Applicants with disabilities will be given preference in case of equal qualification.

Further information:
The position serves for personal scientific qualification (doctorate).