Postdoctoral researcher (postdoc) in AI for acoustic biodiversity monitoring

Tilburg University, Netherlands

Updated: 27 days ago
Deadline: 13 May 2024

29 Mar 2024
Job Information
Organisation/Company

Tilburg University
Research Field

Cultural studies
Language sciences
Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)
Country

Netherlands
Application Deadline

13 May 2024 - 21:59 (UTC)
Type of Contract

Temporary
Job Status

Not Applicable
Hours Per Week

40.0
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Are you looking for a research position that combines machine learning with helping to protect nature? Would you like to apply and develop AI methods for sound? Do you want to conduct research that has international academic impact, and also a positive environmental impact?

The Department of Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence at Tilburg University is looking for a postdoctoral researcher, for an 18-month position within the European funded project TABMON

The TABMON project will apply autonomous acoustic sensing to biodiversity monitoring across a large geographic range in Europe (from Norway to Spain). Sound recording devices will be placed in diverse bird habitats. Within this project, you will develop machine learning algorithms to analyse these large volumes of audio data. You will investigate the leading algorithms as well as novel ideas, you will carefully design training datasets, and evaluate the performance of algorithms to ensure they work as intended across many countries, in many habitats and seasons.

You will be working with collaborators from multiple countries, including specialists in signal processing, machine learning, and ecology. At Tilburg University you will be part of a research group with unique world-leading expertise in machine learning for animal sound - see for example the Bioacoustic AI network

Your project will include the following goals:

  • Train deep learning algorithms for bird sound classification
  • Investigate the re-use of existing data and algorithms, and their combination with new innovative algorithms
  • Evaluate algorithms for balanced performance across our European case studies (different habitats, species etc)
  • Investigate advanced training/application of AI algorithms: not just for classification, but for direct inference of biodiversity-related quantities such as relative population sizes
  • Explore combining acoustic data with data from other sources
  • Collaborate with project partners in different European countries
  • Write high-quality articles for academic conferences and journals
  • Publish developed AI algorithms as reusable software

Requirements
Specific Requirements

Required skills
Essential:

  • PhD in one of the following fields, or closely related: machine learning, computer science, applied mathematics, statistics, signal processing, acoustics, bioacoustics
  • Experience in training and evaluating deep learning algorithms
  • High proficiency in programming (especially Python)
  • High quality of academic writing in English
  • Good spoken English language skills
  • Ability to work independently and self-motivated.

Desirable:

  • Experience in machine learning for sound/acoustics
  • Experience in one of the main DL frameworks (e.g. PyTorch, Tensorflow)
  • Experience with international collaboration
  • Experience with software deployment frameworks suitable for machine learning (e.g. Docker, HuggingFace)
  • Good publication record appropriate to the career stage
  • Demonstrated interest in biodiversity, animal behaviour, animal sound, or related topics

Additional Information
Benefits

What we offer

  • A fixed-term contract of 18 months at 1.0 FTE.
  • The candidate will be ranked in the Dutch university job ranking system (UFO) as Researcher 4. The starting gross salary for a full-time appointment is (minimally) € 3.226,- up to (maximally) €5.090,- per month. Grading based on relevant experience.
  • A holiday allowance of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8,3% (annually)
  • Researchers from outside the Netherlands may qualify for a temporary tax-free allowance equal to 30% of their taxable salary. Tilburg University will apply for such an allowance on their behalf.
  • Tilburg University is rated among the top Dutch employers and offers excellent fringe benefits, including excellent technical infrastructure, savings schemes and excellent sport facilities.
  • The collective labor agreement of the Dutch Universities applies.

Selection process

To apply for this position please submit:

  • a motivation letter outlining why you are the right candidate for this position;
  • a CV, including research activities and publication list;
  • the names and contact details of two referees.

    • Deadline for applications: Mon 13th May 2024.

    Interviews are expected to take place in June 2022.


    Additional comments

    For more information on this position or the project, please contact the principal investigator, Dan Stowell: [email protected] . 


    Website for additional job details

    https://www.academictransfer.com/339659/

    Work Location(s)
    Number of offers available
    1
    Company/Institute
    Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences
    Country
    Netherlands
    City
    Tilburg
    Postal Code
    5037 AB
    Street
    Warandelaan 2
    Geofield


    Where to apply
    Website

    https://www.academictransfer.com/en/339659/postdoctoral-researcher-postdoc-in-a…

    Contact
    City

    Tilburg
    Website

    http://www.uvt.nl/
    Street

    Warandelaan 2
    Postal Code

    5037 AB

    STATUS: EXPIRED

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