Industrial PhD and Postdoc Positions in Machine Learning for Hearing Aid Systems

The Eriksholm Research Centre, a part of Oticon, is seeking industrial PhD and postdoc candidates to join our team. We are looking for highly motivated and skilled candidates to carry out independent research in machine learning for hearing aid systems. Your work with us will have the potential to provide ground-breaking advantages in user benefits in hearing healthcare.

Eriksholm Research Centre carries out peer-reviewed academic research which keeps Oticon at the forefront of applied research. The majority of Eriksholm’s research activities focus on understanding the impact of hearing loss and individual needs of hearing aid users. Eriksholm has recently added a new major research focus area in Artificial Intelligence, taking the insights generated from decades of research to focus on how technology can provide solutions. Eriksholm has research facilities that include EEG, Ear-EEG, motion capture, eye-tracking, fNIRS, speech testing, a large anechoic chamber with speaker array, as well as a fully supported clinic and audiological facility. Being part of a large hearing healthcare company, Eriksholm offers the opportunity to bring research ideas closer to impact the life of people with hearing loss.

Scientists at Eriksholm publish their findings in leading scientific conferences and journals and will engage with the international research community at conferences and workshops.

About the positions
The projects will explore and design machine learning algorithms for processing potentially noisy sound signals in a hearing aid context, to increase speech intelligibility and sound quality, and to reduce listening effort. The algorithms to be explored rely on hearing aid microphone signals, as well as additional multi-modal inputs, e.g., EEG/Ear-EEG, visual inputs, user body movements, and eye-tracking. We aim to develop algorithms which align with the user’s intent by continuously providing the sound signal of interest to the user.

The industrial PhD and postdoc opportunities are partly funded through the industrial Postdoc program of the Innovation Foundation of Denmark. The industrial PhD and postdoc projects are made in close collaboration with relevant universities (depending on the exact topic). The working place will be split between Oticon, Smørum & Eriksholm Research Centre, Snekkersten while some work (including potential course work for PhD researchers) will take place at the university. The positions are full-time, permanent positions.

The ideal industrial PhD candidate

• You hold a M.Sc. degree in machine learning, deep learning, statistical signal processing, ideally with a focus on processing of acoustic (speech) signals, auditory perception, or equivalent.
• You have a strong interest in interdisciplinary and application-oriented research.
• You have high proficiency in written and spoken English.
• You have excellent undergraduate and graduate grades in relevant topics.
• Proficiency in the Danish language is not essential, but a willingness to learn could be useful in the longer-term.

The ideal postdoc candidate

• You hold a PhD degree in machine learning, deep learning, statistical signal processing, ideally with a focus on processing of acoustic (speech) signals, auditory perception, or equivalent.
• You have obtained your PhD within the past 4 years.
• You have started your research track record with a few first author publications in high-quality academic journals and conferences.
• You have a strong interest in interdisciplinary and application-oriented research.
• You have high proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Proficiency in the Danish language is not essential, but a willingness to learn could be useful in the longer-term.

Want to join the Eriksholm Research Centre?
If this opportunity appeals to you, then please submit your application as soon as possible but no later than 29th of April.

Please include the following documents: Letter of motivation; CV including relevant courses and publications; copies of university diplomas and transcripts; and provide 2-3 references.

If you would like to know more about this permanent position, you are welcome to contact Jesper Jensen, Fellow of Demant, Eriksholm Research Centre, by e-mail: [email protected] or Svend Feldt, Principal Machine Learning Engineer at Eriksholm Research Centre, by e-mail: [email protected].

Please apply through our e-recruitment system by visiting our career site: www.job.oticon.com

About Eriksholm
Eriksholm pursues audiological discoveries with the potential to significantly enhance customer and end-user benefits in future hearing care. We work in close collaboration with academic research institutions, clinicians and end-users, and being part of Oticon ensures that our scientific insights are applied in solutions that empower people with hearing loss.

We are a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary team of scientists that respect and care about each other and we work in a very informal environment. We are all dedicated to exploring the unknown and striving for excellence, and we have scientific integrity and room for taking chances.

About living in Denmark
The Danish work environment is characterized by a flat organizational structure with a low power distance between managers and employees. The horizontal structure invites open dialogue between management and employees. Competence development is highly prioritized, and most workplaces regularly offer continuing education to their employees.

Most expats moving to Denmark describe the work-life balance as one of the great advantages of living in Denmark. A full-time position in Denmark covers 37 hours a week and a normal workday will be from 08:00-16:00. Danes focus equally on developing their working lives and private lives. Personal safety is high as well. Children walk/bike to school. The Danish way of life is based on mutual trust and tolerance. Compared to many other economically advanced countries, crime rates in Denmark are low.

The Danish society has a great welfare system, which ensures health care, childcare, elderly care, and education for everyone registered in Denmark. These benefits are financed by taxes and you should expect to pay a big part of your salary to the Danish government. A special tax scheme for researchers has been implemented, and employees registered under the scheme pay tax at a rate of 32.84% (27% plus labor market contributions) on earned income as well as certain employee benefits from the specific employer for maximum period of 7 years.

About Demant
Demant is a world-recognised hearing healthcare and technology group built on a heritage of care, health, and innovation since 1904. The Group offers innovative technologies, solutions, and expertise to ensure people hear better. In every aspect, from hearing devices, hearing implants and diagnostic equipment to hearing care all over the world, Demant is active and engaged.

The Demant Group employs more than 20,000 people and generates an annual revenue of DKK 19 billion. Our products are sold in more than 130 countries where we create life-changing differences through hearing health.

At Demant we value diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) and we are committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from alle qualified candidates regardless of ethnic background, personality, age, gender, and education. Diversity is part of our cultural DNA. Women in STEM areas are particularly encouraged to apply, as Demant supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality. #LI-HYBRID #LI-BS1

Industrial PhD and Postdoc Positions in Machine Learning for Hearing Aid Systems
Smørum, DK, 2765