Research Fellow in Generative Audio for Immersive Sound Design

Join the CoSTAR National Lab's audio team to pioneer generative AI within interactive & immersive technologies in CVSSP at the University of Surrey, a global community dedicated to life-changing education and research.

The role

This post investigates generative AI for sound design in content production, contributing both academic publications and practical demonstrations of immersive/interactive technology with CoSTAR. It is initially fixed-term upto May 2028 (extensible subject to funding).

The role is based at the Centre for Vision, Speech & Signal Processing (CVSSP, University of Surrey), which researches machine perception for the benefit of society through technological innovations in healthcare, security, entertainment and robotics. CVSSP is internationally renowned and ranked first in UK research for computer vision and audio-visual AI, enabling award-winning technologies for content production in TV, film, games and immersive entertainment.

In 2021, CVSSP founded Surrey's Institute for People-centred Artificial Intelligence (PAI). PAI drives AI activities for the CoSTAR National Lab for R&D in Creative Technology, led by Royal Holloway (University of London), a £51m investment by UK Government to give the UK's screen & performance industries globally competitive infrastructure. Investigating future AI-enabled storytelling experiences, we can leverage Surrey's track record of translating fundamental machine learning, spatial audio & audio-visual AI into groundbreaking creative technology.

About you

We seek a talented Research Fellow to investigate generative audio AI technology for production of immersive and interactive experiences. We expect scientific contributions and creative-industry impact from the successful applicant, who should be qualified to PhD level in a technical subject, with relevant experience:

• Expertise in machine learning for audio, including speech, music & ambient sound generation
• Research publications in relevant areas, i.e., generative AI, speech/audio signal processing, machine listening or immersive media
• Strong communication skills, documenting research code/data, stakeholder reporting, and collaborating across technical & creative disciplines
• Strong programming skills, Python frameworks for ML & real-time audio software
• Curating audio datasets, spatial-audio/audio-visual recordings, & ML training/evaluation pipelines
• Experimental systems development, e.g., integrating interactive/game-engine/real-time audio systems, spatial audio toolkits/middleware

Useful background includes sound design, music technology, expressive speech, HCI, perceptual/psychoacoustics, user studies, interdisciplinary collaboration, project coordination, and engagement with creative or industry practice.

What we offer

We offer generous remuneration, including relocation assistance where appropriate, an excellent research environment, well-equipped laboratories, state-of-the-art computing and staff development opportunities. The University resides in one of England's safest counties, nestled by the Surrey Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, yet only 35 minutes by train from central London, a global city. Our culture of world-class research and enterprise empowers people to achieve real change.

How to apply

Informal email enquiries are welcomed to:

Professor Philip Jackson (p.jackson@surrey.ac.uk) or Professor Enzo De Sena (e.desena@surrey.ac.uk).

To apply, please upload your CV and cover letter via our website.

Interviews are expected w/c 16th February.

The University of Surrey is committed to providing an inclusive environment offering equal opportunities for all. We place great value on diversity within our community: we strongly encourage applicants from any under-represented demographic.

Further details

For more information and to apply online, please download the further details and click on the 'Apply' button above.

In return we offer a generous pension, relocation assistance where appropriate , flexible working options including job share and blended home/campus working locations (dependent on work duties), access to world-class leisure facilities on campus, a range of travel schemes and supportive family friendly benefits including an excellent on-site nursery.

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