Job Description

A PhD research position is available in the KU Leuven Electrical Engineering Department (ESAT), under the supervision of Dr. Maja Taseska and Prof. Toon van Waterschoot. The aim of the PhD project is to investigate spatial audio analysis problems by using a single moving microphone rather than the more conventional approach of using a static microphone array. The position involves an academic collaboration with Lund University (Sweden) and an industrial collaboration with the Belgian start-up company Appiness. The research will be carried out in an international team of audio engineering researchers at the e-Media Lab and the Stadius Centre for Dynamical Systems, Signal Processing and Data Analytics of KU Leuven. The PhD researcher will also spend approximately 30% of the time at Lund University in the Statistical Signal Processing Group under the supervision of Prof. Andreas Jakobsson.

RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT
The e-Media Lab and the Stadius Centre are part of the Electrical Engineering (ESAT) Department at KU Leuven and host over 100 researchers. The audio engineering group headed by Prof. Toon van Waterschoot is a subgroup affiliated to both labs, in which signal processing research is carried out in the context of audio, speech, music, and acoustics applications. The audio engineering group currently hosts about 10 international PhD and postdoc researchers and participates in several nationally and internationally funded research projects, ranging from fundamental research to industry-funded applied research.

Audio engineering group: http://homes.esat.kuleuven.be/~tvanwate/index.html
e-Media Lab: http://www.kuleuven.be/emedia
Stadius Centre: http://www.esat.kuleuven.be/stadius

RESPONSIBILITIES
The PhD researcher will
- carry out basic and applied research in audio signal processing, involving algorithm design, implementation, and experimental validation;
- monitor the work plan of her/his individual research project and make sure that milestones are achieved and deliverables are finalized in a timely manner;
- actively participate in research meetings with the supervisors and with the involved start-up company;
- be prepared to make research visits to Lund University for approximately 30% of the PhD duration;
- take part in the research meetings, seminars, etc. at the e-Media Lab and the Stadius Centre;
- enroll in a doctoral training program at the Arenberg Doctoral School, and adhere to the doctoral school's coursework requirements for PhD researchers;
- assist in the supervision of Master thesis students;
- perform a limited amount of teaching activities (max. 3h per week).

PROFILE
- Candidates must hold a Master degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent), have a solid mathematical background (e.g. in matrix algebra) and have taken specialized courses in at least one of the following disciplines: digital signal processing, acoustics, audio signal processing. Candidates who are in the final phase of their Master program are equally encouraged to apply, and should mention their expected graduation date.
- Research experience (e.g. through Master thesis work or research internships) in audio signal processing is considered a strong asset.
- Experience with scientific computing in Matlab, Python, or Julia is required.
- Excellent proficiency in the English language is required, as well as good communication skills, both oral and written.

OFFER
- A high-level and exciting international research environment.
- A strong involvement in a research team with high international visibility.
- A PhD title from one of Europe's top universities (after approximately 4 years of successful research).
- A thorough scientific education in the frame of a doctoral training program.
- A competitive salary or tax-free PhD grant.
- The possibility to participate in local as well as international courses, workshops and conferences.
- The possibility to perform research visits to internationally renowned research labs in Europe.
- A one-year position with the possibility of extension for a second, third, and fourth year.

HOW TO APPLY
For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Toon van Waterschoot, tel.: +32 16 32 17 88, mail: toon.vanwaterschoot@esat.kuleuven.be. Prospective candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, since interviews may already be organized before the application deadline.

A three-stage selection procedure will be implemented. In the first stage, candidates will be short-listed based on their application files. In the second stage, short-listed candidates will be invited for (phone) interviews with the PhD supervisor(s) in the period between their application date and Nov. 20, 2018. In the third stage, the top-ranked candidate will be invited for a (phone) interview with the campus board of the KU Leuven Campus Group T who will be providing the PhD stipend for this position. This phone interview will take place on Nov. 27, 2018. The selection procedure will be finalized and the final decision will be communicated in Dec. 2018.

You can apply for this job no later than Nov. 6, 2018 via the KU Leuven online application tool (see link).

KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us at diversiteit.HR@kuleuven.be.

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