PhD in generative AI and expressive speech synthesis for social inclusion

The goal is to implement and evaluate the usefulness of a generative AI and expressive speech synthesis in Augmentative Communication Technology for individuals with communication disabilities. The project will use the KTH conversational text-to-speech system with context-adaptive expressive control (https://www.speech.kth.se/tts-demos/) , As the AI voice system is designed for users who input text using gaze trackers the project also involves using Large Language models to speed up the text input given the previous context. The research takes place at the division of speech, music and hearing, in an interdisciplinary group focusing on modeling and understanding human communication, including speech, language, and gesture using computational and AI-based methods.

The position is financed by WASP, the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program and its entails participation in WASP doctoral school

Third-cycle subject: Speech- and Music Communication

Supervision: Prof. Joakim Gustafson, with Dr. Éva Székely as co-supervisor.

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

• passed a second cycle degree (for example a master's degree), or
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 second-cycle higher education credits, or
• acquired, in some other way within or outside the country, substantially equivalent knowledge

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6, read more here

In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process, candidates will be assessed upon their ability to:

• independently pursue his or her work
• collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach and
• analyse and work with complex issues.

In addition, practical experience with speech synthesis, deep learning, LLMs  and dialogue system development is highly meritorious.

After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal competency. 

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years ' time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time. In the case of studies that are to be completed with a licentiate degree, the total period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for two years.

Contact information KTH's website .

Contact information section's website .

Apply for the position and admission through KTH's recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Applications must include the following elements:

• CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
• Copies of diplomas and grades from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (see above) . Translations into English or Swedish if the original document is not issued in one of these languages. Copies of originals must be certified .
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values.

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Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.