CherISH_DC10: Personalized and environment-adaptive optimization of cochlear implants

27 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

NEMO Labs Nonprofit Kft

Research Field

Engineering » Electronic engineering
Engineering » Biomedical engineering
Technology » Sound technology

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Hungary

Application Deadline

30 Apr 2024 - 17:00 (Europe/Budapest)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Offer Starting Date

1 Sep 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

H2020 / Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Spatial hearing is critical for orientation in space and navigation. It furthermore helps to selectively direct attention to relevant sound cues in complex acoustic situations. The loss of spatial hearing  due to deafness not only leads to a reduced quality of life, but also contributes to potential danger in everyday situations. The Ph.D. project is part of the multidisciplinary MSCA Doctoral Network 'CherISH', CochlearImplants and Spatial Hearing (CORDIS ; CherISH ), that combines approaches from medicine, engineering, and psychology to optimally improve the restoration of hearing after deafness by combining next generation’s cochlear implant (CI) technology with innovative rehabilitation approaches.

 

Project

In the  Ph.D. project DC10, environment and subject-dependent deviations in the sound signal generated by the CI are investigated, as how such deviations contribute to impoverished acoustic cues for CI users. Based on new techniques, the project aims to develop and test an enhanced CI (ECI) by integrating circuitry for real-time compensating subject- and environment-dependent deviations in the generated sound signal. 

The project's objective is to determine the technical feasibility and implementation of an ECI by:

• establishing an experimental setup for testing the functional efficacy of ECI prototypes; 
• developing an ECI prototype integrating circuitry for detection and compensation of deviations in CI schematics;
• assessment of the performance of an ECI prototype in various auditory environments involving spatial sound technology to simulate near-to-real-life sound experiences.

We hypothesize that effective detection and real-time compensation of deviations in an ECI will provide:

• a personalized, and environment-adaptive optimization of CI users’ auditory experience; 
• improved synchronization of frequency-dependent interaural time differences (ITD) and interaural level differences (ILD) of bilaterally implanted CIs, which better caters to the innate spatial hearing abilities of CI users.

 

Offer

The doctoral candidate DC10 will be employed by NEMO Labs and work at the lab’s designated facilities in Budapest. to receive the University Ph.D. Diploma, the candidate is required to enroll simultaneously in the Ph.D. program offered by the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) and fulfill its requirements.

More info about the requirements for enrolment at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) Ph.D. can be found here:

https://phd.vik.bme.hu/en/phd-program/

 

We offer:

• Exciting auditory research
• PhD title after 4 years of research
• Thorough scientific education
• Work at an innovative SME
• Membership in an international and multidisciplinary network of renowned labs and academic institutions
• Taking part in international conferences and collaborations
• Competitive salary

Requirements

Research Field

Engineering » Electrical engineering

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Engineering » Biomedical engineering

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Technology » Sound technology

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

NEMO Labs, in associated partnership with the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME), is looking for motivated Ph.D. students to be trained as a researcher (develop all necessary skills) in a doctoral network (a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action of the EU).

 

We are looking for candidates with:

• a background in signal processing
• a degree in electrical, biomedical, and/or audio engineering or similar fields
• a strong interest in interdisciplinary work
• an interest in auditory perception
• an inquisitive mind and good  problem-solving skills
• very good English proficiency
• knowledge of EEG, human neurophysiology, and psychology of hearing is a benefit

 

Excellent and strongly motivated candidates are sought to exhibit a general attitude suited to research, i.e. being intellectually curious, eager to explore and learn, capable of critical thinking, open to innovation, cleverly using their skills to address unknown problems, not scared of complexity. In particular, candidates should be open to the multidisciplinary approach needed to realize the project.

 

The idea of the training network is to advance one's project in cooperation with other scientists. It is, therefore, crucial that the Ph.D. candidate can work efficiently both independently and in a team. Since the MSCA positions are particularly intended to increase students’ mobility and facilitate international cooperation and mutual exchange of knowledge, a good teamwork attitude, with an open mind keen to interact positively with people from different cultures and backgrounds, will also be required.

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Additional Information
Benefits

1. You will receive a 3-year full-time employment contract, enrolled in a PhD program. The salary is in accordance with the MSCA regulations for Doctoral Researchers and the exact (net) salary will be confirmed upon appointment and is dependent on local tax regulations and on the country correction factor applied by the EU. The salary includes a living, mobility, and family allowance (if applicable). “Family” is understood to be people linked to the researcher by marriage (or by a relationship with a state equivalent to marriage recognized by the legislation of the country where this relationship was formalized) or dependent children who are supported by the researcher. The family relationship and/or dependence of children with the researcher must be accredited by official document (for more information, see: https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/doctoral-networks ).

2. We offer modern, state-of-the-art facilities and equipment at NEMO Labs, as well as participation in training activities at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) and within the international and intersectoral CherISH network.

3. You will travel for 2 planned secondments, annual meetings, workshops, and national/international conferences.

4. Work-life balance in a major European city offering numerous options for social and cultural activities

Eligibility criteria

We welcome applications from Doctoral Researcher candidates fulfilling the following criteria:

1. Not having already received a PhD or equivalent degree by any institution; researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.

2. They can be of any nationality but must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organization for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date. Time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention (1951 Refugee Convention and the 1967 Protocol), compulsory national service, and/or short stays such as holidays are not considered.

3. They must also be eligible to work in Hungary according to regulations (e.g., visa requirements), and also to travel/work in other European countries for collaborations/secondments and training;

4. They must meet the entry requirements for PhD enrolment in the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME). They must hold a Master's Degree in electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, audio engineering, or closely related fields.

5. They must be proficient in English (a minimum of B2 level or equivalent is desirable) and agree to use such language for work and any other official matter, including the selection process.

6. They must be available to enroll full-time in the Ph.D. program starting September 1st, 2024.

7. They know and adhere to the principles set out in the Commission Recommendation on the European Charter for Researchers.

8. They agree to undertake the PhD training program associated with this position in case they are selected;

9. They agree to move to (the surroundings of) Budapest for the entire contract duration, in case they are selected.

10. They agree to travel for the 2 secondments (6 weeks each) planned at project partners (other countries).

Selection process

Applications must be sent by email to [email protected]

In the Subject of the email, please write “CherISH- PhD candidate Application – Project DC10”

Applications must be in English. 

 

The application consists of (PDF):

• CV (including mention of publications, if any);
• 1-page motivation letter;
• Recommendation letters (min 2  – max 3)

Be aware that official transcripts of any degree achieved, preferably including average or final marks and an explanation of the related assessment scale or criterion (mandatory for the main graduate degree, optional for the others), will be required for the enrolment in the University and Ph.D. program; All documents must be in English. Any translations must be certified.

 

Recruitment Process

1. Evaluation of the applications will be based on Eligibility Criteria

2. Assessment on paper of qualifications and activities by the Selection committee

3. Online-interview for the selected candidates

 

The selection of the Doctoral Researcher candidates will be carried out in compliance with the general rules for HE-MSCA projects and will be based just on individual merit.

The selection process will be entirely carried out in English.

Be aware that your application could be transferred to another Partner of the CherISH network.

The CherISH Consortium appointed a Selection Committee consisting of 3 members and 1 observer for the evaluation of the application of the candidates for DC10.

Applications which do not meet the minimal prerequisites listed in the Eligibility Criteria section, or which are not submitted according to the procedure specified in the Requirements section, or which are received after the submission deadline has expired, will be rejected.

The Selection Committee will send a proper acknowledgment for each incoming submission. Whenever necessary, it will also be entitled to ask the candidates to provide any further document, information or clarification deemed useful to properly complete the assessment processto complete the assessment process.

Personal data will be stored to carry out the application procedure. Application costs cannot be reimbursed.

Additional comments

Supervisors/consultants

PhD supervisor: Dr. Géza Németh (https://www.linkedin.com/in/g%C3%A9za-n%C3%A9meth-4a2639b/?originalSubdomain=hu )

PhD co-supervisor: Dr. Brigitta Tóth (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brigitta-toth-139b752b/ )

PhD consultant: Paul Oomen
(https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Paul-Oomen )

 

Questions and Answers

For more information about the project (not the recruitment process), please write an email to [email protected]

 

Are you interested? Please send your application to [email protected]

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

NEMO Labs Kft.

Country

Hungary

State/Province

Budapest

City

Budapest

Street

Katona József utca 31,

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

City

Budapest

Website

https://theworks.info/
https://spatialsoundinstitute.com/

Street

Katona József utca 31.

E-Mail

[email protected]
[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED