Research Associate (Postdoc or PhD Student) for SPEECH AND AUDIO SIGNAL PROCESSING § 28 Subsection 1 HmbHG (PhD) or § 28 Subsection 2 HmbHG

20095 Hamburg

Stellenbeschreibung

Werkstudent

Homeoffice: Nach Absprache

InstitutionFaculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Department of Informatics, Signal Processing (SP)

Salary levelEGR. 13 TV-L

Start dateas soon as possible, the initial fixed term is three years. For the postdoc position (§ 28 Abs. 2 HmbHG) the contract provides for a maximum extension of up to three years depending on the associate’s achievements during the first stage. Providing that a position is available and that requirements have been fulfilled, the associate may apply for temporary civil servant status in accordance with Section 28 subsection 2 HmbHG

Application deadline08.10.2024

Scope of workfull-time position suitable for part-time

Your responsibilities

Research associates will be expected primarily to teach and conduct research. The research associate will also have the opportunity to pursue further academic qualifications, in particular a doctoral dissertation or a habilitation (postdoctoral qualification). Therefore, at least one-third of set working hours will be made available for the associate’s own academic work.

The general focus of the Signal Processing (SP) research group is on developing novel methods for processing speech and audio signals, with applications in speech communication devices such as hearing aids, mobile telephony, and voice-controlled assistants. Modern machine learning and generative AI methods, such as diffusion models, have revolutionized the performance of these devices, for instance in acoustically challenging environments. In this context, potential PhD topics include:

Source Separation: innovating techniques to isolate individual audio sources from complex environments
Speech Enhancement: developing advanced methods to improve speech clarity and intelligibility in noisy settings
Emotional Speech Synthesis: creating models that generate emotionally rich and natural-sounding speech
Multimodal Signal Processing: leveraging modern machine learning to seamlessly integrate speech, language, and text processing, thereby enhancing overall system capabilities

The typical tasks of a PhD student or a post-doctoral researcher include developing new concepts, implementing new solutions, designing, and performing experiments to test these methods, writing scientific publications, and traveling to conferences and workshops to present the work. In addition, a post-doc is expected to support the scientific guidance of team members. The position includes the responsibility to teach 4 hours per week in the computer science department. We are looking for a highly motivated individual who is eager to engage in cutting-edge research within a collaborative and supportive working environment.

Your profile

PhD position:

a university degree in a relevant field

Postdoc position:

a university degree in a relevant field plus doctorate

Examples of a university degree in a relevant field include Computer Science, Data Science, and Electrical Engineering. Excellent knowledge in signal processing and machine learning is required, along with good programming skills in Python and experience with modern machine learning libraries. Knowledge of speech processing, audio processing, and statistics is advantageous. Fluent English, both spoken and written, and good communication skills are mandatory. Knowledge of German is helpful; for non-native German speakers, we expect a willingness to learn German.

The advertised position is aimed at both suitable master’s degree graduates looking to undertake doctoral studies, as well as suitable applicants who have already completed their doctoral studies. The opportunity to pursue further qualifications is also available to doctoral graduates.

We offer

Reliable remuneration based on wage agreements
Continuing education opportunities
University pensions
Attractive location
Flexible working hours
Work-life balance opportunities
Health management, EGYM Wellpass
Educational leave
30 days of vacation per annum

Universität Hamburg—University of Excellence is one of the strongest research educational institutions in Germany. Our work in research, teaching, educational and knowledge exchange activities is fostering the next generation of responsible global citizens ready to tackle the global challenges facing us. Our guiding principle “Innovating and Cooperating for a Sustainable Future” drives collaboration with academic and nonacademic partner institutions in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region and around the world. We would like to invite you to be part of our community to work with us in creating sustainable and digital change for a dynamic and pluralist society.

The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg promotes equal opportunity. As women are currently underrepresented in this job category at University of Hamburg according to the evaluation , HambGleiG), we encourage women to apply for this position. Equally qualified and suitable female applicants will receive preference.

Severely disabled and disabled applicants with the same status will receive preference over equally qualified non-disabled applicants.