Postdoc in Context-Aware Audio for Smart Glasses - DTU Health Tech at Danmarks Tekniske Universitet

Copenhagen, Capital, Denmark -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

24 Aug, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

26 May, 26

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Real-time Audio-visual Signal Processing, Computer Vision, Audio Machine Learning, Spatial Audio, Egocentric Video, Human Communication Experiments, AI Modeling, Closed-loop Systems, Data Curation, Multimodal Systems, Beamforming, Signal Processing

Industry

Research Services

Description

We offer a 3-year postdoctoral position within the EU-funded research and innovation project WeHear aimed at creating future hearing solutions for smart glasses. In WeHear, you will join an international multidisciplinary team of leading researchers across Europe working in computer vision, egocentric video, spatial audio technology, audio-visual sensing, and hearing research. The WeHear project aims to create the foundations for next-generation context-aware hearing technologies that use egocentric video to identify relevant communication partners and generate socially intelligent audio renderings of the user’s acoustic environment. The goal is to create new hearing assistive technology that helps hearing-impaired people communicate in complex real-world acoustic environments by combining audio-visual sensing, computer vision, spatial audio, and real-time signal processing. As a postdoctoral researcher in WeHear, you will work closely with the local project team on multi-person communication experiments with real-time decoding and closed-loop acoustic feedback. We will develop AI models that decode first-person video to inform audio beamforming strategies and spatial reconstructions of the sound field. You will be involved in developing a large-scale human communication dataset for public benchmarking, designing and building closed-loop implementations of the technology, and testing the technology with human listeners. Together, this research aims to advance our understanding of future multi-modal hearing technologies and their potential to improve hearing health by addressing real human needs. At DTU, you will be collaborating closely with partners in the Hearing Systems Section at the Department of Health Technology (DTU Health Tech). In WeHear, you will also be collaborating with academic and industrial partners across Europe in the fields of audiovisual AI, cognitive hearing research, spatial audio, egocentric vision, and neuromorphic sensors. Responsibilities and qualifications The postdoctoral position focuses specifically on human communication experiments and the creation of a large-scale audio-visual communication dataset. As part of the work, you will be involved in implementing real-time closed-loop wearable systems and evaluating the technology with human users. You will be working closely with the WeHear team and should enjoy working in a multi-disciplinary international collaboration. You should be committed to the WeHear mission of advancing cutting-edge research and innovation in cognitive audio technologies to create better hearing health for millions of people with hearing loss. As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent) in computer science, AI, engineering, cognitive hearing science, or a related field. Applicants must be able to demonstrate a strong track record in real-time audio-visual signal processing, communication science, computer vision, audio machine learning, or related areas. The candidate should have practical experience with first-person video, real-time algorithms, AI audio-video applications, multimodal systems, human communication experiments, BCI, or similar topics. You should enjoy hands-on laboratory work that includes human multi-sensor experiments with real-time audio-visual signal processing, large data collection and complex data curation, and be passionate about building real-time prototypes for real-world human interactions. Documented experience with closed-loop hearing technologies or cognitive audio solutions is considered an advantage. We offer The position is hosted at DTU, Department of Health Technology, in close collaboration with the Hearing Systems Section. You will be part of an ambitious international project with strong societal relevance and work closely with senior researchers, engineers, and industrial partners across Europe. The Hearing Systems Section offers a stimulating and highly international working environment with close interaction among academic staff, administrative staff, and students from a wide range of disciplines and nationalities. Through WeHear, you will be part of an ambitious European project with strong societal relevance. Your work will play a critical role in the successful execution of the project and contribute directly to the development of future hearing technologies with the potential to improve the quality of life and well-being for people with hearing disabilities. DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility. Salary and terms of employment The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years starting 1 September 2026. You can read more about career paths at DTU here [http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths]. Further information Further information may be obtained from Jens Hjortkjær (jhjort@dtu.dk [jhjort@dtu.dk]) or Axel Ahrens (aahr@dtu.dk [aahr@dtu.dk]). You can read more about DTU Health Tech at www.healthtech.dtu.dk [http://www.healthtech.dtu.dk] and about DTU Hearing Systems at www.hea.healthtech.dtu.dk [http://www.hea.healthtech.dtu.dk]. If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark [https://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/moving-to-denmark]. Application procedure Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 30 June 2026 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include: * Application (cover letter) * CV * Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English) * List of publications * Code example links Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position. DTU Health Tech With a vision to improve health and quality of life through technology, DTU Health Tech engages in research, education, and innovation based on technical and natural science. We educate tomorrow’s health tech engineers and create the foundation for new and innovative services and technologies for the globally expanding healthcare sector with its demands for the most advanced technological solutions. DTU Health Tech’s expertise can be described through five overall research areas: Diagnostic Imaging, Digital Health, Personalised Therapy, Precision Diagnostics, and Sensory and Neural Technology. Our technologies and solutions are developed with the aim of benefiting people and creating value for society. The department has a scientific staff of about 210 persons, 140 PhD Students, and a technical/administrative support staff of about 100 persons of which a large majority contributes to our research infrastructure and related commercial activities. The Hearing Systems Section conducts research in auditory signal processing and perception, speech communication, audiology, objective measures of auditory function, computational models of hearing, hearing instrument signal processing, and multi-sensory perception. Our goal is to increase our understanding of the human auditory system and to provide insights that are useful for technical and clinical applications. The section offers outstanding infrastructure and facilities, including a multi-speaker anechoic Audiovisual Immersion Lab (AVIL) for acoustic virtual reality, state-of-the art physiology and psychoacoustics facilities, and dedicated communication laboratories. DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829 DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.

Responsibilities

The researcher will develop AI models to decode first-person video for audio beamforming and spatial reconstructions. They will also lead human communication experiments and create a large-scale audio-visual dataset for public benchmarking.