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PhD Position in Egg and Audio Processing for Neuro-Steered Hearing Aids

Employer
KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN
Location
Leuven, Louvain (BE)
Closing date
8 Dec 2019

EEG AND AUDIO PROCESSING FOR NEURO-STEERED HEARING AIDS

(ref. BAP-2019-611)

This is a joint project between the research group Experimental Otorhinolaryngology, Dept. Neurosciences and the research group ESAT-STADIUS, Dept. Electrical Engineering. The long-term goal of this project is to design cognitive hearing devices that can be controlled by the brain. The research group of Experimental Otorhinolaryngology, Dept. Neurosciences is part of the University of Leuven. Leuven is located in the center of Belgium, in the heart of Europe. Our group consists of 3 professors, 5 post-docs and ~30 PhD students. The research at ExpORL is aimed at improving hearing and communication skills of people with a hearing or related impairment. In particular, related to this project, we investigate new auditory measurement methods based on auditory brain evoked potentials for improved diagnostics and hearing instruments. We focus on the entire chain of auditory modeling, signal processing, simulation, psychophysical tests, electro-physiological measurements, imaging, lab-implementation, and evaluation with normal hearing subjects and users of hearing aids and cochlear implants. The research division STADIUS ('Stadius Centre for Dynamical Systems, Signal Processing, and Data Analytics') is located at the Electrical Engineering Department (ESAT) at KU Leuven. STADIUS's major research objective is to contribute to the development of improved digital control and signal processing algorithms and systems that incorporate advanced mathematical engineering techniques as a crucial ingredient.

Project

The long-term goal of this project is to design cognitive hearing devices that can be controlled by the brain. Together with a team of other PhD students, you will further shape and validate this technology:

  • You will conduct your own research (sub)project, collaborating with PhD and postdoctoral researchers. 
  • You will develop adaptive signal processing and/or machine learning methods to perform auditory attention decoding, and use these in EEG experiments. 
  • You will develop a brain-computer interface set-up for real-time (closed loop) attention decoding with EEG and perform experiments on subjects.

Profile

  • Master degree (with strong grades) in engineering or a related field
  • A strong mathematically-oriented engineering background
  • Additional experience in machine learning, deep learning, (adaptive) signal processing, spatial filtering, (blind) source separation, EEG signal processing, component analysis, estimation theory, and/or statistics are a strong plus
  • You are not afraid to make your hands dirty and take the lead in setting up a real-time brain-computer interface (+ perform experiments with it)
  • Knowledge of auditory neuroscience and psychology of hearing is a benefit, but not crucial
  • Willingness to work in an interdisciplinary team
  • An interest in auditory perception
  • An inquisitive and creative mind, good problem solving skills
  • The ability to independently work and generate results
  • Being a team player
  • Excellent English proficiency

!!! Important note: motivation letters are free format except for 2 obligated paragraphs:

1) Reason(s) why I am interested in this particular position: [write reasons here]

2) Facts or examples that demonstrate that I satisfy the listed requirements: [write reasons here]

Offer

  • An exciting research environment, working on the intersection between signal processing and neuroscience.
  • Membership of a world-renowned lab, as part of a motivated interdisciplinary team, with an extensive international network
  • A KU Leuven affiliation, the most innovative university of Europe (ranked first in Reuters ranking)
  • The possibility to take part in international conferences and collaborations
  • A competitive monthly stipend (scholarship)
  • The possibility to train your leadership skills and become a world-class researcher

Interested?

Please use the online system to apply, there is no need to send your information via email.

For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Alexander Bertrand, mail: alexander.bertrand@kuleuven.be or Prof. dr. Tom Francart, mail: tom.francart@med.kuleuven.be.

You can apply for this job no later than June 30, 2020 via the online application tool

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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