Doctoral Student in Psychoacoustics
University of Antwerp Faculty of Science
Belgium

The Faculty of Science and the faculty of Business and Economics are seeking to fill a full-time vacancy for a

Doctoral student in the area of Psycho-acoustics

The vacancy is situated within a national FWO fundamental research project entitled “The information content of dynamic cues in human sound localization”.

Understanding the workings of human sound localization, and in particular which acoustic cues we use to perceive our acoustic environment in three dimensions (3D), is not only of fundamental interest, but has become increasingly relevant in the light of nowadays advance of 3D audio displays through headphones. In the past, most research has focused on the role of static cues, i.e. when the head and source are stationary, yet it is known that localization is greatly improved if listeners are allowed to move their head during stimulus presentation. In this project, we investigate the role of dynamic cues provided by small movements of the head or source, within an information-theoretic framework. We use a proven ideal-observer model for static human sound localization and extend it to account for the dynamic acoustic cues involved. First, we study what head movements carry the most information and how this depends on the location of the source. Next, we consider the mirror situation and investigate how much information can be conveyed through small movements of the source. We will make use of both theoretical modelling and acoustic simulations. The predictions from the theoretical analysis are validated with psycho-acoustic experiments conducted with an acoustic Virtual Reality environment.

 Job description

• You prepare a doctoral thesis in the field of Psycho-acoustics, empirical (using localisation-experiments in a VR environment) and theoretical modelling of the role of headmovements in 3D sound perception.
• You contribute to teaching and research in Engineering Management / Faculty of Business and Economics. Limited teaching duties will consist of co-organizing exercise sessions in de Handelsingenieur degree. Your research will be part of the research on spatial sound perception conducted by the Active Perception Lab making use of the personalization technology developed by Earfish (https://www.earfish.eu) to enable immersive 3D sound perception.

 Profile and requirements

• You hold a master degree in Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering.
• You can submit outstanding academic results.
• Also students in the final year of their degree can apply.
• The focus in your teaching corresponds to the educational vision of the university.
• Your academic qualities comply with the requirements stipulated in the university’s policy.
• You are quality-oriented, conscientious, creative and cooperative.
• You have extensive experience programming in Matlab, Python or C .
• Experience with Unity or alternative Game/VR programming environments is an advantage.

 We offer

• a doctoral scholarship for a period of 1 year, renewable for a total of maximum 4 years after positive evaluation;
• the start date of scholarship will be 1 October 2020;
• a gross monthly grant ranging from € 2.447,20 – € 2.596,27;
• a dynamic and stimulating work environment.

 Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform until 31^st July 2020. Click on the 'Apply' button, complete the online application form and be sure to include the following attachments: a motivation letter and your academic CV.
• The selection committee will review all of the applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure. Please make a note of the following dates: 17-21 August 2020 (interview).
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Herbert Peremans (herbert.peremans@uantwerpen.be), Bart Partoens (bart.partoens@uantwerpen.be).

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.