Dear Auditory List
We have a fully-funded PhD project available in Turning Astronomical Data into Sound: Developing sonification for astrophysics research, communication, and accessibility. The studentship will be based at Newcastle University and will be
jointly supervised by Dr Christopher Harrison (Newcastle University) and Prof. Paul Vickers (Northumbria University).
The closing date for applications is 31 January 2023. We look forward to receiving your application.
Regard
paul
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About the Project
This project is being offered as part of the STFC Centre for Doctoral Training in Data Intensive Science, called NUdata, which is a collaboration between Northumbria and Newcastle Universities, STFC, and a portfolio of over 40 industrial partners, including
SMEs, large/multinational companies, Government and not-for profit organisations, and international humanitarian organisations. Please visit
https://research.northumbria.ac.uk/nudata/ for full information.
Project Description:
Current and future astronomy facilities will be generating an enormous amount of complex data for the foreseeable future. This includes data for detecting ‘transient’ events, including supernovae, and merging black holes and multi-dimensional datasets for
simultaneous imaging and spectroscopic analysis of distant galaxies. Monitoring or exploring these data visually is becoming increasingly unviable.
Turning astronomical data into sound, through the process of ‘sonification’, provides an alternative approach to traditional visual methods to explore these data and make rapid scientific discoveries. Furthermore, sonification methods can be used for innovative
new approaches for astronomy education, communication and increasing accessibility (for example for those who are blind or have a vision impairment).
This project is to develop sonification methods and tools for application to astronomical datasets. If you undertake this project, you will develop skills in data analysis, understanding astronomical data, software/sound design and communication methods.
You will build on the exciting recent developments made in sonification of astronomical data, become part of the ‘Audio Universe’ team (www.audiouniverse.org) and work alongside both astronomers and computer scientists across Newcastle University and Northumbria
University.
Recruitment Event
You will join a strong and supportive research team. To help better understand the aims of the CDT and to meet the PhD supervisors, we are hosting a day-long event on campus on Monday 9th January 2023.
At that event, there will be an opportunity to discuss your research ideas, meet potential PhD supervisors, as well as hear from speakers from a variety of backgrounds (academia, industry, government, charity) discussing both STFC and data science as well
as their personal paths and backgrounds. Click here for details.
Eligibility and How to Apply:
This studentship is available to home * and international applicants.
Please note eligibility requirement:
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Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. first or 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
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Appropriate IELTS score, if required.
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Applicants cannot apply for this funding if currently engaged in Doctoral study elsewhere.
For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see
Applications and Offers | Newcastle University - Postgraduate - Newcastle University (ncl.ac.uk)
Please note:
If you are interested in more than one of the Newcastle-hosted NUdata research projects, then you can say this in the cover letter of your application and you can rank up to three projects you are interested
in (i.e. first choice, second choice, third choice). You are strongly encouraged to do this, since some projects are more popular than others. You only need to submit one application even if you are interested in multiple projects (we recommend you
submit your application to your first choice).
Northumbria and Newcastle Universities take pride in, and value, the quality and diversity of our students and staff. We welcome applications from all members of the community. We offer all applicants full guidance on the application process and on details
of the CDT. For informal enquiries, email Professor James McLaughlin (Northumbria:
james.a.mclaughlin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ) or Professor Tamara Rogers (Newcastle:
tamara.rogers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ). Please contact the Principal Supervisor of the project(s) for project-specific enquiries.
Deadline for applications: 31st January 2023
Start Date: 25th September 2023
* please note: to be classed as a Home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:
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Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
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have settled status, or
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have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
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have indefinite leave to remain or enter.
If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classed as an International student.
Funding Notes
The studentship supports a full stipend, paid for four years at UKRI rates (for 2022/23), this is £17,668 per annum and full tuition fees.
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Professor Paul Vickers BSc
PhD CEng MIEE FHEA
Professor of Computer Science & Sonification
Department of Computer and Information Sciences
T: +44 (0)191 243 7614
E: paul.vickers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
O: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0963-5005
Personal Profile: https://paulvickers.github.io
Research Profile: https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/our-staff/v/dr-paul-vickers/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/profpaulvickers
GitHub: https://github.com/paulvickers/
Project RADICAL – Principal Investigator: https://projectRadical.github.io
Institute of Coding – Project Lead: https://ioc.northumbria.ac.uk/
DfE Skills Bootcamps – Project Lead: https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/skillsbootcamps
Room B102, Ellison Building, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, United Kingdom
