Subject: Post-doctoral position in Cochlear Implant research in Vienna From: Bernhard Laback <Bernhard.Laback(at)OEAW.AC.AT> Date: Fri, 2 Sep 2005 10:52:14 +0200Post-Doctoral Research Position for Cochlear Implant Project Tenure: up to three years Project Overview The project titled “Spectral cues in auditory localization with cochlear implants” studies possible ways to provide spectral localization cues (so-called pinna cues) to bilateral cochlear implant listeners. Pinna cues are important for the localization of sound sources in the vertical planes, most importantly for front/back discrimination. Project steps include experiments on the monaural sensitivity to spectral peaks and notches, on the number of channels required for encoding of pinna cues and speech cues, and on audio-visual learning of frequency-shifted spectral localization cues. Both bilateral cochlear implant listeners and normal hearing listeners will be tested. Individually measured as well as generic head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) will be applied. Generic HRTFs will be derived by numerical simulations. Qualification Requirements The position requires a background in psychoacoustics. Research experience in the area of spatial hearing and/or cochlear implants is a plus. Main Duties -to evaluate and run new experiments that perform several tasks defined in the project framework. -to analyze the data and write progress reports and publications. The Acoustics Research Institute offers excellent facilities for psychoacoustic experiments in bilateral electric and acoustic hearing. These include a system for direct bilateral electrical stimulation and an semi-anechoic room equipped for localization experiments and measuring HRTFs. Cooperation with ENT-departments, e.g. the Vienna University Hospital, ensures the access to Cochlear Implant listeners. The numerical acoustics division of the institute provides excellent facilities for performing extensive computational tasks. Responsible to: Dr. Bernhard Laback and Prof. Dr. W.A. Deutsch (Acoustics Research at the Austrian Academy of Sciences). The successful candidate will join an existing research team and should be able to integrate well. The project is funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) for three years. The appointment is for two years in the first instance, with a possible extension for a further year. The appointment will be to a salary of € 39240.6,- p.a. Closing date: Oct. 15th 2005. A summary of the project can be found at: http://www.kfs.oeaw.ac.at/research/medical_acoustics/Abstract%20CI%20HRTF.pdf Please send applications to Bernhard Laback: Bernhard.Laback(at)oeaw.ac.at -- *************************** Bernhard Laback, Ph.D. Acoustics Research Institute Austrian Academy of Sciences Reichsratsstrasse 17 A-1010 Wien Austria Tel.: 0043-1-4277-29514 Fax.: 0043-1-4277-9295 http://www.kfs.oeaw.ac.at/ ***************************