PhD position: Temporal aspects of auditory intensity processing

[Daniel Oberfeld <oberfeld@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear list,

a PhD position in psychoacoustics / experimental psychology is available 
in the lab of Dr. Daniel Oberfeld (Dept. of Psychology, University of 
Mainz, Germany), in the project "Temporal aspects of auditory intensity 
processing" funded by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.
The position (“wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter”, TV-L 13 50%, part time 
20 hours/week) is available for 2 years. Earliest starting date is Aug. 
1, 2009.

In the project, auditory intensity discrimination under non-simultaneous 
masking will be studied. Maskers presented in temporal proximity to the 
target stimulus can cause strong impairment in intensity resolution. 
Previous studies indicated that these effects can not be fully explained 
by mechanisms in the auditory periphery but suggested a role of more 
centrally located processes. The project will combine different methods 
in order to gain a better understanding of the underlying processes, 
with a focus on auditory attention. In one series of experiments, the 
hypothesis will be tested that auditory object perception provides a 
framework for understanding the psychoacoustic effects. In other 
experiments, the decision process in an intensity discrimination task 
will be studied by means of "molecular" analyses of the behavioral data. 
Mathematical and physiological models will be considered in the data 
analysis.

Duties and responsibilities:
* Planning and realization of the experiments
* Data collection
* Statistical analyses and interpretation of the data
* Modeling of the results (where applicable)
* Communication of the results at conferences and in scientific papers


Requirements:
* Strong interest in human auditory perception
* University Diploma or Master in psychoacoustics, experimental 
psychology, computer science, electrical engineering, physics, 
mathematics, biology, or cognitive neuroscience
* Previous experience and skills in at least one of the following 
fields: psychoacoustics, psychophysics, programming (e.g., Matlab), 
experimental psychology, modeling
* Good statistical and methodological skills
* Excellent speaking and writing skills in English

Besides access to a well-equipped psychoacoustics lab, interested 
candidates will have the opportunity to use the Department's EEG lab. It 
is also possible to conduct fMRI experiments in cooperation with the 
University Hospital.

Informal enquiries should be addressed to Dr. Daniel Oberfeld, 
oberfeld@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Please send applications (including CV, certificates, documentation of 
skills relevant to the project, and a short description of your research 
interests) by Aug. 10, 2009 per email (PDF preferred) to 
oberfeld@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

The University of Mainz is an equal opportunity employer. Women are 
encouraged to apply. Disabled applicants will receive priority in case 
they have equal qualifications.

Best,

Daniel

--
Dr. Daniel Oberfeld-Twistel
Johannes Gutenberg - Universitaet Mainz
Department of Psychology
Experimental Psychology

*Please note the change in address & phone number!!*

Wallstrasse 3
55122 Mainz
Germany

Phone ++49 (0) 6131 39 39274
Fax   ++49 (0) 6131 39 39268
http://www.staff.uni-mainz.de/oberfeld/