BEMÆRK: Ansøgningsfristen er overskredet
Are you passionate about integrating acoustics, signal processing and audiology to advance hearing healthcare for individuals with hearing impairment? The Hearing Systems Section at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is looking for a suitable candidate for a 3-year PhD position. The research project is dedicated to optimizing signal processing strategies for hearing-aids and cochlear-implants, specifically designed to improve spatial perception in realistic acoustic settings. This includes enhancing speech intelligibility in environments with interfering sound sources. The project is supported by Sonova and DTU.
Understanding speech in situations with multiple spatially distributed noise sources and sound source localization in everyday life poses challenges for users of hearing instruments, including both hearing aids (HA) and cochlear implants (CI). For bimodal and bilateral CI recipients, a dedicated binaural processing scheme that combines microphone signals from the left and right has been proposed. Studies have shown that for bilateral CI users, bilateral severe-to-profound HA users, and bimodal users, localization accuracy and spatial release from masking can be improved. Recently, a new optimization criterion for this algorithm has been employed to provide benefits for mild-to-moderate HA users as well. However, most studies have been conducted in the lab, and patient-specific or situation-specific preferences in the real world have not been thoroughly investigated. This study addresses several key questions. Firstly, it explores the parameter settings that exhibit the most benefit in model simulations for different configurations of hearing loss. Additionally, the research investigates whether there are patient-specific preferences and, if so, whether these preferences can be predicted through clinically feasible tests. Furthermore, the study examines the existence of situation-specific preferences that might necessitate dynamic parameter changes during real-world use. Lastly, the research considers whether there is any acclimation required to fully realize the benefits of a particular parameterization, especially when users undergo changes in their user group, such as receiving a cochlear implant.
As a PhD student you will be affiliated with the Hearing Systems Section at DTU Health Tech, becoming part of an internationally leading research group. This group focuses on various hearing-related topics, such as auditory signal processing and perception, computational auditory modelling, audiology, acoustics, and signal processing for hearing aids and cochlear implants. A portion of the project will take place at the Copenhagen Hearing and Balance Centre (CHBC), located at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital. The centre is dedicated to integrating daily treatment of hearing and balance with cutting-edge research, collaborating with the medico-technical industry and academic institutions like DTU. Both DTU Hearing Systems and CHBC house exceptional facilities for hearing research in this direction. These include a 64-channel loudspeaker array in an anechoic chamber at DTU and a 41-channel loudspeaker array embedded in an acoustically shielded clinical room at CHBC. Additionally, both locations are equipped with state-of-the-art psychoacoustic and communication labs.
Responsibilities and qualifications
You will engage in the development of protocols for assessing binaural (spatial) hearing and evaluating the efficacy of hearing devices in real-world scenarios using virtual sound environments. This involves utilizing Matlab-based simulations of HA and CI processing to investigate various compensation strategies for hearing loss, with a specific focus on spatial perception. Your responsibilities will extend to conducting comprehensive evaluations with bilateral hearing-aid users exhibiting diverse degrees of hearing loss, as well as with bilateral CI users. Your role will encompass coordinating patient recruitment, administering both novel and traditional diagnostic tests, analyzing the results, and communicating the scientific outcomes.
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.
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
.
Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Professor Torsten Dau, Assistant Professor Abigail Anne Kressner, and Senior Research Scientist Sepp Chalupper.
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.
Starting date
is according to mutual agreement. The position is a full-time position.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths.
Further information
Further information may be obtained from Torsten Dau, tdau@dtu.dk
.
You can read more about DTU Health Technology at www.healthtech.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 16 November 2023 (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, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.
DTU Health Tech
engages in research, education, and innovation based on technical and natural science for the healthcare sector. The Healthcare sector is a globally expanding market with demands for the most advanced technological solutions. DTU Health Tech creates the foundation for companies to develop new and innovative services and products which benefit people and create value for society. DTU Health Tech’s expertise spans from imaging and biosensor techniques, across digital health and biological modelling, to biopharma technologies. The department has a scientific staff of about 210 persons, 140 PhD students and a technical/administrative support staff of about 160 persons, of which a large majority contributes to our research infrastructure and related commercial activities.
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.
INFORMATIONER OM STILLINGEN:
- Arbejdspladsen ligger i:
Lyngby-Taarbæk Kommune
-Virksomheden tilbyder:
-Arbejdsgiver:
Danmarks Tekniske Universitet, Anker Engelunds Vej, 2800 Kongens Lyngby
-Ansøgning:
Ansøgningsfrist: 16-11-2023; - ansøgningsfristen er overskredet
Se mere her: https://job.jobnet.dk/CV/FindWork/Details/5935431