Research Associate

Department

The Speech Lab, led by Prof Sven Mattys, in the Department of Psychology at the University of York, is seeking a Research Associate from 1 May 2024 to 30 November 2025 (19 months) to contribute to an ESRC-funded project in the area of speech perception and cognitive listening (Title: “Split listening: A cognitive investigation of speech perception in adverse conditions”). The funding was awarded to Professor Sven Mattys and co-PIs Dr Sarah Knight and Dr Ronan McGarrigle.

The aim of the project is to further our understanding of the mechanisms underlying cognitive listening. The candidate will join a team of researchers investigating the interface between speech perception and cognitive functions during divided-attention and speech-on-speech listening. Main themes for this project include auditory masking, attention control, working memory, spatial hearing, and effort. Data collection will involve behavioural methods (speech transcription tasks, auditory psychophysical tests) and physiological methods (pupillometric measures of listening effort). The programme of experiments will combine large-scale online testing and targeted in-lab testing. The project will be carried out in Professor Mattys’ lab at the University of York in collaboration with Dr Sarah Knight at Newcastle University and Dr Ronan McGarrigle at the University of Leeds.

Candidates should have a PhD degree in speech and hearing science, psycholinguistics, or another relevant discipline. A good command of experimental designs and proficiency with statistical analysis in R are essential. Experience with psychophysics (including programming psychophysical experiments), pupillometric analysis, creation/manipulation of speech stimuli using relevant software (e.g., Audacity, Praat) is desirable. Because a substantial portion of data collection will be carried out online (via the Prolific and Gorilla platforms), experience with online testing is highly desirable.

Role

Based at York, you will be responsible for designing, conducting and disseminating research on the grant, with guidance from Prof. Mattys and co-PIs Dr Sarah Knight and Dr Ronan McGarrigle.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

• You must have a PhD degree in speech and hearing science, psycholinguistics, or another relevant discipline.
• You should have experience with experimental designs and statistical techniques (primarily mixed-effects modelling), with knowledge of speech and hearing research. Experience with pupillometric analysis is an advantage.
• You will have strong communication skills, with the ability to write up and present research to a high standard. You will have strengths in individual and collaborative research and experience with in-lab and online testing.

Interview date: To be confirmed

For informal enquiries: please contact Prof Sven Mattys (email: [email protected] )

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We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.

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