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Dear
Auditory List,
We
are currently looking for a PhD student for the project ‘Optimization of a
Speech-In-Noise Test for Auditory Fitness for Duty’. This is a 3-year fully
funded position. The preferrable start date is July 2022. Please kindly share
with any colleagues who might be interested. Thank you very much!
PhD Studentship: Optimization of a Speech-In-Noise Test for Auditory Fitness for Duty College of Health and
Life Sciences, Aston University
About
the Project Applications
are invited for a three-year Postgraduate studentship, supported by the College
of Health and Life Sciences, to be undertaken within the Cognition and Neuroscience
Research Group
(https://www.aston.ac.uk/research/hls/cognition-and-neuroscience-research-group)
at Aston University. The successful applicant will join an established
experimental group working on optimizing a speech recognition in noise test that
is developed to assess the auditory fitness for duty of personnel with
excessive occupational noise exposure. The studentship is offered in
collaboration with Amplivox Ltd.
The
position is available to start in July 2022, subject to negotiation.
Auditory
fitness for duty (AFFD) is defined as the possession of hearing abilities
sufficient for safe and effective job performance. The challenges that hearing
loss poses for personnel in the military or police forces could detrimentally
impair the efficiency of communication and the completion of their duties.
Audiometry
may not provide enough face validity in the current AFFD assessment to reflect
the listeners’ routine work environments or their listening challenges. The
Audiology Department at Aston University collaborates with the UK’s largest
audiometry manufacturer Amplivox to adapt a speech-based test for AFFD
assessment. We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD student to take on this
research. The primary tasks include to parameterize and optimize the procedures
of the current version of the speech test, and design new test conditions with
high face validity.
Applicants
should have a degree in audiology, hearing science, psychology, audio
engineering, auditory neuroscience, or a related discipline. Programming
experience in Matlab, Python, or similar programming languages is required. The
project will use psychophysical approaches as primary method. Prior experience
of psychoacoustic experimentation, speech perception test, or audiological test
is highly preferred.
Person
Specification:
The
successful applicant should have been awarded, or expect to achieve, a Masters
degree in a relevant subject with a 60% or higher weighted average, and/or a
First or Upper Second Class Honours degree (or an equivalent qualification from
an overseas institution) in audiology, hearing science, psychology, audio
engineering, auditory neuroscience, or a related discipline. Preferred skill
requirements include knowledge/experience of computer programming in Matlab,
Python, or similar programming languages, statistical analysis, scientific
writing, and good communication skills.
Funding
Notes
This
studentship includes a fee bursary to cover the home/EU fees rate, plus a
maintenance allowance of £15,609 in 2021/2 (subject to eligibility). Overseas
applicants may apply for this studentship but will need to pay the difference
between the ‘Home’ and the ‘Overseas’ tuition fees. Currently the difference
between ‘Home’ and the ‘Overseas’ tuition fees is £13,750 in 2021/2. As part of
the application you will be required to confirm that you have applied for, or,
secured this additional funding.
For
the complete Post Description and How to Apply, please go to website here.
If
you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at zhangm22@xxxxxxxxxxx.
Best
regards, Mengchao
Zhang
Mengchao Zhang, Ph.D. Lecturer Audiology Department College of Health and Life
Sciences Aston University B4 7ET United Kingdom |