PostDoc position on Environmental Noise Effects/ Psychoacoustics

Empa is the research institute for materials science and technology of the ETH Domain and conducts cutting-edge research for the benefit of industry and the well-being of society.

For a research project, the Laboratory for Acoustics / Noise Control at Empa Dübendorf (near Zurich) has an open

PostDoc position on Environmental Noise Effects/ Psychoacoustics

Research Area

The position is embedded in the interdisciplinary research project RESTORE (Restorative potential of green spaces in noise-polluted environments, see www.restore-project.ch) and is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation. In this position you will design and conduct psychophysical laboratory experiments on noise, stress, and recovery. You will use a virtual reality (VR) environment which has been specifically developed for that purpose to measure perceived and physiological stress. The diversified work contains experiments and data analysis and requires close collaboration with the RESTORE research team. It includes

• Evaluation and selection of appropriate cognitive performance tests for parts of the experiments
• Putting into operation and testing a device for skin conductance measurements
• Design, planning, performing and analysis of psychophysical VR laboratory experiments with audio-visual stimuli
• Active participation in project, group and lab meetings, knowledge transfer
• Presentations and scientific publications

Your Qualifications

You have a PhD degree (or Master’s degree with additional experience) with a scientific-technical or biostatistical/psychological background. Knowledge in (bio-)statistics is required. A strong interest in acoustics and noise effects is expected. Further, experience with experimental studies (design and performance) and programming skills in R and/or Matlab are advantageous. Finally, very good command of English and German are a plus.

We offer an exciting position in a top-class research institution and infrastructure in an interdisciplinary environment with modern working conditions. You will have the opportunity to develop in a research field that receives great attention in science and society. The starting date of the position is January 2022 or by agreement. The duration of the employment is two years.