[AUDITORY] Humanising acoustic data for wellbeing: Two-year postdoc position available in machine learning in acoustics

Job description
Socio-technological environments employ products and systems that rely heavily on data and sensor technology. Data is often used for documenting and monitoring; however, diagnostic and predictive value of data is underrepresented. Currently, in the age of data, computing technology is failing to acknowledge the latent needs of professionals that touch upon human values and emotions, such as sensory comfort, emotional care, social connectedness, and right to be well-informed. To humanize data-experience and offer human-centred sensor and data solutions, Critical Alarms Lab of TU Delft is currently working on how acoustic data could have a new form that is in favour of human needs in clinical settings (e.g., intensive care units). For example, in our lab, we developed CareTunes for musical monitoring of patient vitals, Doplor for visual depiction of environmental acoustics, and Cacophony Mapper for sensing and collecting acoustic data and identification of sound sources through machine learning. Thusfar, the interplay between sound and data have been explored in favour of supporting patient and clinical well-being and even cultivating sound-conscious behaviour in critical care.

With a two-year postdoctoral research, we intend to set up an intelligent sound sensor system for the interpretation and representation of acoustic data through machine learning. Such a system will be instrumental to provide intuitive information on the acoustic nature of, and insights into human-behaviour in, socio-technological environments. In the first year, the post-doc researcher will explore the technical possibilities of machine learning and training with acoustic data. The second year’s scope will be on intelligible representation of acoustic data and measuring its effectiveness in behaviour change. The results of the pocdoctoral research will be used to set up new research in machine learning in acoustics for socio-technological workspaces.

The postdoctoral researcher will be employed by the Department of Human-Centered Design at the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering of TU Delft. The reserach activities will be conducted at the Critical Alarms Lab in collaboration with Erasmus Medical Centre Rotterdam (Department of Adult Intensive Care).

Starting date is scheduled for October / November 2020.

Department
Critical Alarms Lab aims to shape the future of alarms and soundscapes in socio-technological environments. With a current focus on sound issues in healthcare, CAL unites students, researchers, academic hospitals, industry, and regulatory agencies to tackle critical alarm systems. Our international team believes design thinking can help us to find the right point of intervention for the sound's effect on humans.

Requirements
We are looking for a data / information scientist or computer-interaction designer that has affinity with sensor applications and interest to solve data-issues. Knowledge in acoustics and affinity with human-centred research methods are preferable.

Candidates have a PhD degree and background in data science and/or human behaviour science with strong knowledge and experience of machine learning technologies and its implementation. Preferred candidates are familiar with programming languages used in one or more of the following software packages: Matlab, R, Python, Rapidminor.

Social aspects of work are equally important in our lab. We are looking for candidates who can enjoy lively discussions in an international scientific environment and who have an open minded view for diversity and good humour!

Conditions of employment
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation. An International Children's Centre offers childcare and there is an international primary school.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers both in business and in a social context. TU Delft offers 16 Bachelor’s and 32 Master’s programmes to more than 23,000 students. Our scientific staff consists of 3,500 staff members and 2,800 PhD candidates. Together we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Industrial Design Engineering
Matching the evolution of people with the speed of the revolution of technology. This is the focus of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering (IDE). Delft designers act as a bridge between advances in technology and the needs of people, organisations and society to create products, services and systems with purpose.

IDE is a leader in design research across the application areas of mobility, sustainability and health, as well as its development of design tools and methods. A 350-strong research team and over 2,000 students work together in our inspiring hall, labs and studios.

In close cooperation with industry, the public sector and NGOs we rehearse possible futures in research and education to design for a complex future.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering.

Additional information
For information about this vacancy, you can contact Dr. Elif Ozcan Vieira, Associate Professor, email: e.ozcan@tudelft, tel: +31 152789678.

For information about the selection procedure, please contact A.Klumpers-Nieuwpoort, HR Secretary department HCD, email: HR-HCD@xxxxxxxxxx.

Application procedure
Applicants are required to provide their name, current position, and email address.

Please attach a CV, publicaton list, motivation letter, portfolio of projects relevant to machine learning and acoustic data.

Please send your application to HR-HCD@xxxxxxxxxx.

The online interviews will take place between 20/07/2020 and 31/07/2020 and selected applicants will be asked to perform a small research task (e.g., writing an essay or coding with acoustic data).

A pre-employment screening can be part of the application procedure.