At the Faculty of Engineering and Science, as of 1 January 2017 Technical Faculty of IT and Design, Department of Architecture, Design and Media Technology a PhD stipend is available within the general study programme Electrical and Electronic Engineering. The stipend is open for appointment from 1 January 2017 or as soon as possible hereafter.

The position is with the research group Audio Analysis Lab. The PhD student will work on a research project entitled Signal Processing for Sound Zones.

Sound zones are spatially confined regions in which different audio contents can be enjoyed in an acoustic environment. Thus, sound zones replace headphones as a means of creating an individualized listening experience while also allowing for social interaction. There exists many potential applications of this concept, including in home entertainment, museums, car cabin, and at hospitals. They can be created using loudspeaker arrays (a number of loudspeakers organized in a geometry) by altering the phase and amplitude of the loudspeaker signals. The state of the art can, however, typically only achieve an attenuation of 10-15 dB of interfering sounds from other zones (depending on the setup), which means that the interference is clearly audible and annoying. In short, the concept, while promising, does not presently work well enough for most applications. This project aims at making high-quality sound zones feasible via advanced signal processing.

The successful applicant should have a M.Sc. (or equivalent) in engineering within signal processing. Prior experience with audio and acoustic signal processing is a plus but not required. Moreover, the successful applicant should be fluent in English, have strong programming and math skills, and be familiar with MATLAB (or similar tools). The applicant must submit his/her M.Sc. thesis (or a draft thereof) as part of the application. The degree must be completed at the time of the appointment.

The Audio Analysis Lab at Aalborg University conducts basic and applied research in signal processing theory and methods aimed at or involving analysis of audio signals. The research focuses on problems such as compression, analysis, classification, separation, and enhancement of audio signals, as well as localization, identification and tracking using microphone arrays. The lab and its members are currently funded by grants from the Villum Foundation, the Danish Council for Strategic Research, the Danish Council for Independent Research, and Innovations Fund Denmark. The research projects are carried out in close collaboration with leading industrial partners and universities around the world.

You may obtain further information from Professor Mads Græsbøll Christensen, Audio Analysis Lab, Department of Architecture, Design and Media Technology , phone: +45 9940 9793, email: mgc@create.aau.dk concerning the scientific aspects of the stipend.

PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who holds a Master’s degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design, in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1039 of August 27, 2013 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed every six months. It is a prerequisite for continuation of salary payment that the previous progress is approved at the time of the evaluation.

The qualifications of the applicant will be assessed by an assessment committee. On the basis of the recommendation of the assessment committee, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Science will make a decision for allocating the stipend.

For further information about stipends and salary as well as practical issues concerning the application procedure contact Ms. Bettina Wedde, The Faculty of Engineering and Science, email: bew@adm.aau.dk,  phone: +45 9940 9909.

You can read more and apply at http://www.stillinger.aau.dk/vis-stilling/?vacancy=875102.