PhD position in Vocal Cues in Interactive Conversations at Eriksholm Research Centre

Application Deadline:
Please submit your application no later than 15th of March 2025.

Location:
Eriksholm Research Centre, Snekkersten, 50 km North of Copenhagen, DK

Job Category:
Research

Temporary position: 3 years

NB: Applicants should apply both via Oticon’s job portal and through VoCS application form.

Eriksholm Research Centre is seeking a PhD candidate within the Horizon Europe Doctoral Network project “VoCS” (Voice Communication Science - https://www.vocs.eu.com/).

VoCS project 

The VoCS project is committed to empowering the next generation of voice scientists. The aim is to equip 19 doctoral candidates (DCs) with a comprehensive knowledge of cognitive neuroscience, acoustics, phonetics, and computing science. These candidates will undergo a customized training-by-research program, which includes hands-on lab research, workshops, and industry placements, to build their skills in fundamental, technological, and clinical aspects of voice communication.

The PhD position within the VoCS project

This project focuses on understanding the impact of hearing loss on the utilization of vocal cues in predicting turn taking during interactive conversations. The objective of the project is to quantify the impact of hearing impairment on perception and utilization of vocal cues; to better understand why people with hearing loss exhibit different turn-taking patterns than people with normal hearing; identify which vocal cues current hearing technology restores and similarly which vocal cues that will require new special processing for enhanced turn taking and interactive conversations.  

In addition, there will be two special investigations, one into prosody and mimicry with various degrees of hearing loss, and one into emotions associated with affected prosodic cues. The candidate will be responsible for defining the test paradigms to investigate the utilization of prosodic cues in conversations. Moreover, the candidate will also be responsible for processing audio to extract the relevant prosodic cues, and the overall analysis of the data generated in the study. 

Through the careful investigation of interactive conversations and the vocal cues involved in communication we except novel insights into why people with hearing loss struggle in conversations beyond comprehension but also in finding the right time to claim their turn. Through further analysis of specific cues, we expect to find new areas of enhancement which hearing aid development should for improving interactive communication for people.

Where will you be working?

The PhD candidate will be an employee of Eriksholm Research Center in Denmark, the host institution, and will be enrolled as doctoral candidate at University of Twente, Netherlands. The candidate will be working in Denmark with short secondments in the University of Twente in the Netherlands and in the University of Barcelona in Spain.

Below contact information of the PhD project team:

• Industrial co-supervisor (main contact) Dr. Niels Pontoppidan npon@eriksholm.com, Principal Scientist at Eriksholm Research Centre.
• Academic supervisor Associate Professor Dr. Khiet Truong k.p.truong@utwente.nl, and Prof.dr. Dirk Heylen (the promotor), University of Twente.
• An additional secondment will be with Prof. Emma Rodero emma.rodero@upf.edu, University of Barcelona, Spain.

About Eriksholm Research Centre 

Eriksholm pursues audiological discoveries with the potential to significantly enhance 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 value and care about each other and we work in a very informal environment. We are all engaged in exploring the unknown and continually aiming for excellence, and we have scientific integrity and room for taking chances. Eriksholm has research facilities that include EEG, Ear-EEG, motion capture, eye-tracking, fNIRS, speech testing, a large anechoic chamber with speaker array, and a fully supported clinic and audiological facility. 

Location: Eriksholm Research Center, Rørtangvej 20, DK 3070, Denmark. 

Website: www.eriksholm.com 

About the Human Media Interaction group in the University of Twente, Netherlands

The candidate will work in the Human Media Interaction group at the faculty of Electrical Engineering Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) of the University of Twente. The Human Media Interaction (HMI) group does research into multimodal interaction: from brain computer interfaces to social robots to touch-sensitive technology. Many projects at the HMI-group delve into how such interactive technologies may Abobe used to support and enhance users with their tasks, or in daily lives. Within HMI, the candidate will work in a team of people focusing on spoken language processing, conversational agents, and natural language processing. The HMI group is a multidisciplinary group of engaged, kind, and motivated researchers with an open mind to science and society. 

(https://www.utwente.nl/en/eemcs/hmi/). 

Location: University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7522 NB Enschede, Netherlands. 

Website https://www.utwente.nl/en/eemcs/hmi/ 

Required Qualifications 

• Background: Studies in hearing research, audio signal processing, audiology, speech therapy, spoken language research, biomedical engineering or related fields.  
• Degree: At the date of the recruitment, candidates must be in possession of a master’s degree in a relevant field and should not have been already awarded a doctoral degree. Applicants are required to have submitted their master’s or equivalent thesis in relevant fields. The diploma/certificate must be forwarded as soon as it is received. Researchers who have completed the defense of their doctoral thesis but who have not yet been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.  
• Mobility: Recruited researchers can be of any nationality but must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host organization, Denmark, for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not considered.  
• English language: Candidates need to show their ability to understand and express themselves sufficiently in both written and spoken English, to fully benefit from the network training.  

Benefits for the PhD candidate 

• Successful Doctoral Candidates will be part of an international and interdisciplinary network.  
• Recruited researchers will benefit from training modules, transferable skills courses, secondments, and participation in workshops and conferences.  
• Financial package: a) PhD funding for 36 months; (b) Living allowance (EUR 3400 per month, subject to a country correction coefficient, which adjusts the salary based on the cost of living in the host country; the final amount may vary depending on the location of the host institution); (c) Mobility allowance (EUR 600); (d) Family allowance (EUR 660), if applicable. 

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 the 15th of March 2025.  

Please include the following documents: Letter of motivation; CV including relevant courses and publications; copies of university diplomas and transcripts; and provide 1-3 references. 

If you would like to know more about the position, you are welcome to contact Dr. Niels Pontoppidan npon@eriksholm.com, Principal Scientist at Eriksholm Research Centre. 

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

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. 

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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. 

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