Research Assistant/Associate in Spoken Language Processing (Fixed Term)

Department/Location: Department of Engineering, Central Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK

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We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic Research Assistant/Associate to join our Spoken Language Processing (SLP) project team within the virtual Automated Language Teaching and Assessment (ALTA) Institute in the Department of Engineering. You will extend our research into automatic assessment and feedback for learning spoken English as an additional language. We work on real-life free speaking and conversational exams and practice tests, funded and closely collaborating with Cambridge University Press and Assessment (CUP&A).

The post holder will be located in Central Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK.

The key responsibilities and duties are to design and develop appropriate methodologies to address the above research objectives. This will involve planning and managing their own research activity and liaising with colleagues in the Speech Research Group at Cambridge and with the partner groups in ALTA and CUP&A.

The skills, qualifications and experience required to perform the role are a very good first degree in engineering, computer science or a closely related field and have obtained (or be close to obtaining) a PhD degree in an area related to speech technology, or equivalent experience. It is expected that candidates will have a good knowledge of speech software tools such as Kaldi, ESPnet, and/or general deep-learning tools such as pyTorch, and/or tools for spoken language assessment/CALL. Good knowledge of Python and the Linux OS is desirable.

In addition, applicants should exhibit good oral and written communication skills and have experience both of working in a team and managing their own workload.

Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level, which will be amended to Research Associate once the PhD has been awarded.

Salary Ranges: 

Research Assistant: £27,929-£32,348 

Research Associate: £34,308 - £42,155 

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 30 September 2024 in the first instance.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please visit :

http://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/39023.

Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV), a covering letter and a statement of research interests in the Upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application. Please submit your application by midnight on the closing date.

If you have any questions about this vacancy please contact Dr Kate Knill (kmk1001@cam.ac.uk). For questions about the application process, please contact: Angel Loo (Information Engineering Division Administrator) email: div-f@eng.cam.ac.uk (Tel +44 1223 332711).

Please quote reference NM34974 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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