PhD studentship, ISVR, University of Southampton

["Van Besouw R.M." <rvb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear List,
 
We have funding for a UK/EU studentship starting October 2013 (negotiable) in the Hearing and Balance Centre, Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR), Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton, UK. Please forward the advert below to keen students looking for PhD opportunities! 
 
Project title: ISVR-HABC-100: Computer-based music aural rehabilitation for the hearing impaired
Project Supervisor(s): Drs Rachel van Besouw, Daniel Rowan (ISVR) and Mike Wald (Electronics & Computer Science)   
  
In the UK around 10 million people are deaf or hard of hearing. Of these about 1.4 million are regular hearing aid users and 10,000 use a cochlear implant. Both groups suffer from distortions such as impaired frequency resolution, limited bandwidth and compressed dynamic range. Cochlear implants in particular are poor at conveying temporal and spectral cues necessary for accurate perception of pitch and timbre and as a result, many cochlear implant users are dissatisfied by the quality of music as perceived through their implant. 
 
An online interactive music aural training programme is currently being developed as part of an Arts & Humanities Research Council funded project in collaboration with the Department of Music and Electronics & Computer Science. This PhD project will extend this programme of research and will involve designing, setting up and conducting a rigorous multicentre trial of the resource to 1) determine the short and long term efficacy of computer-based music aural rehabilitation for cochlear implant users, 2) evaluate users' responses to the resource, and 3) investigate the demand for and potential of computer-based music aural rehabilitation for hearing aid users. 
 
You should demonstrate knowledge of hearing science and preferably have experience of experimental studies involving humans. Familiarity with web-based technologies and experience in interdisciplinary collaboration will be an advantage. At the end of your studies you will be well prepared for a future career in academia, clinical research or industry. 
 
Students with a First Class or 2:1 Bachelor's degree (or equivalent), or Master's degree, in audiology, music technology, psychology, computer/web science or other related discipline are invited to apply. You will join a vibrant community of 25 PhD students in the Hearing and Balance Centre (www.southampton.ac.uk/audiology) and will be encouraged to contribute to the University's Music Focus Group (www.southampton.ac.uk/mfg).
 
Funding Availability: European/UK Students. You will receive a tax free stipend amounting to ~£13,600 per annum with further paid demonstrating opportunities on audiology programmes. In addition your tuition fees will be paid. 

Applications can be made online through the Faculty website:
http://www.southampton.ac.uk/engineering/postgraduate/research_degrees/degrees/current_funded_projects.page?
 
Application Deadline: Open until filled. Applications received by 1st March will be assured full consideration. 
 
About the ISVR: The ISVR is an internationally recognised centre of excellence for research and training in acoustics and vibration. It has a long history of taking fundamental research through to high-impact outputs which benefit the UK both economically and socially. The Institute currently has 30 academic staff as well as a large number of research staff and students working in four research groups. The ISVR is associated with the South of England Cochlear Implant Centre, which provides assessments, training, care and support for about 100 new patients per year and has a 40 strong team comprising Audiological Scientists, ENT Surgeons, Paediatricians, Teachers of the Deaf and Speech and Language Therapists.
 
If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Dr Rachel van Besouw, Hearing and Balance Centre, ISVR, Email: rvb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Tel: +44 (0) 2380 59 3014. 
 
_____________________________
Rachel Marijke van Besouw | Lecturer
ISVR | University of Southampton
Highfield | Southampton
SO17 1BJ | UK
rvb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Tel. +44 (0)23 8059 3014
Fax  +44 (0)23 8059 4981