Dear Auditory list
Please forward the open vacancies for *2 PhD researchers* on the *MusiXR
project* at Ghent University, Belgium. The project is aimed at
developing and studying realistic musical concert experiences in
extended reality (XR, encompassing virtual, augmented, and mixed
reality). The project focuses on improving the *simulation of room
acoustics in XR musical environments (cf. 'auralization')*, in
combination with obtaining a better *understanding of the behaviour,
cognition, and emotion of users (musicians and listeners)* engaged in
such XR music concert experiences.
See below for more information.
Thanks and all the best!
Pieter-Jan
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Prof. Dr. Pieter-Jan Maes
IPEM-ASIL Dept. of Art, Music, and Theatre Sciences, UGent
Miriam Makebaplein 1, 9000 Gent, Belgium
+32 (0)9 264 4106
*_VACANCY: 2 PhD researchers, Project MusiXR, Ghent University, Belgium_*
*
*
*ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY*
**
Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 8,000
people, it is actively involved in education and research, management
and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on
a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the
area and offers great career opportunities. With 11 faculties and more
than 80 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded
in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a
logical choice for its staff and students.
*YOUR TASKS*
* *MusiXR* is an interdisciplinary research project aimed at
developing and studying realistic musical concert experiences in
extended reality (XR, encompassing virtual, augmented, and mixed
reality). The project focuses on improving the simulation of room
acoustics in XR musical environments (cf. 'auralization'), in
combination with obtaining a better understanding of the behaviour,
cognition, and emotion of users (musicians and listeners) engaged in
such XR music concert experiences.
* A *first PhD* will be oriented towards the *development of the
auralization engine*, starting with the implementation of
state-of-the-art algorithms such as wave field synthesis (WFS),
higher order ambisonics (HOA) and graphical beam tracking for AR.
Based on this state-of-the-art implementation, different music
concert scenarios will be simulated in order to study the feeling of
'presence' (work of the second PhD). The feedback/quantification of
presence should, in a second stage, be fed back to the auralization
engine to improve user immersion.
* A *second PhD* will focus on the *empirical testing of musical
concert scenarios in XR*. The aim is to better understand the sense
of 'presence' that users experience in XR musical concerts. Presence
will be rooted in the study of behavioral, cognitive, and emotional
responses of users (musicians and listeners). This will involve
quantitative measurement, analysis and modelling of body movement
and (neuro)physiological data, as well as qualitative assessments.
* The research will be conducted in the *Art and Science Interaction
Lab (ASIL)* at Ghent University (
http://asil.ugent.be/). The ASIL is
a lively interdisciplinary research facility, equipped with, amongst
others, an 88-speaker 3D setup (IOSONO), an advanced motion capture
system, EEG/fNIRS systems, movement and physiological sensors, and
wireless VR technologies.
* The project is supervised by *Pieter-Jan
Maes* (
pieterjan.maes@ugent.be <mailto:
pieterjan.maes@ugent.be>)
and *Bart Moens* (
bart.moens@ugent.be <mailto:
bart.moens@ugent.be>)
from IPEM, UGent, and *Nilesh Madhu* (
nilesh.madhu@ugent.be <mailto:
nilesh.madhu@ugent.be>) from IDLab, UGent, Belgium.
**
*WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR*
*Profile of candidate 1:*
* Applicants should hold an academic Master's degree or equivalent (at
the latest on October 31, 2020), in any of the following branches of
engineering: Electrical/Computer, Acoustics, Signal Processing,
Communications, Artificial Intelligence.
* Experience in music will be greatly appreciated.
* Fluency in high-level programming languages (e.g., Python, Matlab)
and digital signal processing knowledge are essential. Experience
with real-time audio processing (in Python/C/C++) is desirable.
Prior experience with audio reproduction and/or GPU programming is a
big plus.
* Experience (and/or interest) in empirical research.
* Candidates are expected to have excellent communication skills and
proficiency in written and oral English.
* In addition, a problem-solving attitude and the ability to take
initiative and work independently to deliver high-quality
research is essential for a successful completion of the
project. Since this is an interdisciplinary project, we also expect
the candidates to be capable of critical
self-reflection, demonstrate an eagerness to learn, and be a
team-player.
*Profile of candidate 2:*
* Applicants should hold an academic Master's degree or equivalent (at
the latest on October 31, 2020), preferably related to musicology,
(experimental) psychology, or/and computer science.
* Knowledge of music, and experience with music production or performance.
* Knowledge on programming (e.g., Python, C#, Unity), technological
tools (such as audio recording, motion caption, EEG, VR) and data
processing.
* Experience with empirical approaches.
* Excellent didactical and communicative skills.
* Ability to show initiative, to work independently, and to tackle
problems.
* Flexible, accurate, critical, reflective attitude, eager to learn,
and team player.
* Candidates are expected to have excellent written and oral English..
*WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU*
**
* *Two collaborative, full-time (interdisciplinary) PhD scholarships
for 4 years* (coupled to a yearly positive evaluation) at Ghent
University.
* A pleasant work climate and collegial atmosphere in the center of
Ghent (De Krook), in an international and interdisciplinary research
team (IPEM and IDLab).
* Support by experienced (international) researchers.
* Your remuneration will be determined by salary scale WM1. Click here
for more information about our salary scales
<
https://www.ugent.be/en/work/talent/welcoming-new-staff/salaryscales/wpwm2.htm>.
* All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such
as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 35 days of
holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented
by annual fixed bridge days, a bicycle allowance and eco
vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff
benefits
<
http://www.ugent.be/nl/vacatures/personeelsvoordelen.htm> (in Dutch).
*INTERESTED?*
**
Applications must be sent *before October 1st,
2020* via *E-Mail* to *Bart Moens (
bart.moens@ugent.be <mailto:
bart.moens@ugent.be>) *as pdf or word documents and should
contain a *CV (and overview of your study results), your
application/motivation letter, and copy of the obtained degree(s)*, with
the subject line mentioning "*MusiXR PhD application*".
