PhD Studentship - Optimization of a Speech-In-Noise test for Auditory Fitness for Duty (Aston)

Vacancy Reference Number

R220179

Closing Date

31 May 2022

Salary

£15,609

Address

Aston University

Duration

3 years

About the Project

Applications are invited for a three-year Postgraduate studentship, supported by the College of Health and Life Sciences, to be undertaken within the Cognition and Neuroscience Research Group (https://www.aston.ac.uk/research/hls/cognition-and-neuroscience-research-group) at Aston University. The successful applicant will join an established experimental group working on optimizing a speech recognition in noise test that is developed to assess the auditory fitness for duty of personnel with excessive occupational noise exposure. The studentship is offered in collaboration with Amplivox Ltd. 

The position is available to start in July 2022, subject to negotiation.

Auditory fitness for duty (AFFD) is defined as the possession of hearing abilities sufficient for safe and effective job performance. The challenges that hearing loss poses for personnel in the military or police forces could detrimentally impair the efficiency of communication and the completion of their duties.

Audiometry may not provide enough face validity in the current AFFD assessment to reflect the listeners’ routine work environments or their listening challenges. The Audiology Department at Aston University collaborates with the UK’s largest audiometry manufacturer Amplivox to adapt a speech-based test for AFFD assessment. We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD student to take on this research. The primary tasks include to parameterize and optimize the procedures of the current version of the speech test, and design new test conditions with high face validity.

Applicants should have a degree in audiology, hearing science, psychology, audio engineering, auditory neuroscience, or a related discipline. The project will use psychophysical approaches as primary method. Prior experience of psychoacoustic experimentation, speech perception test, or audiological test is highly preferred. Programming experience in Matlab, Python, or similar programming languages or willingness to learn Matlab is preferred.

Person Specification

The successful applicant should have been awarded, or expect to achieve, a Masters degree in a relevant subject with a 60% or higher weighted average, and/or a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree (or an equivalent qualification from an overseas institution) in audiology, hearing science, psychology, audio engineering, auditory neuroscience, or a related discipline. Preferred skill requirements include knowledge/experience of computer programming in Matlab, Python, or similar programming languages, statistical analysis, scientific writing, and good communication skills.

The closing date for this job advert is unspecified. The closing date 31/05/2022 was chosen arbitrarily to support the requirements of our webpage.