Audio and Acoustic Signal Processing

Research Engineer-Automatic Speech Recognition, Shanghai, China

Overview:

Nuance Automotive specializes in conversational AI technologies for car manufacturers, helping them deliver unique user experiences to their customers. With the Dragon Drive platform, Nuance offers a deeply integrated hybrid solution that can be customized to become an OEM-branded smart automotive assistant which seamlessly integrates into the user’s connected ecosystem. Dragon Drive powers more than 200 million cars on the road today across more than 40 languages, creating conversational experiences for Toyota, Audi, BMW, Daimler, Fiat, Ford, GM, Hyundai, SAIC, and more.

Summary: Responsible for ASR development and research, as well as AI related topics.

Responsibilities:

- ASR research and development for various project’s requests as well as Nuance’s roadmap.

- Analysis of customer requirements for realizing ASR solutions on features.
- Develop algorithms for wake-up word recognition.
- Use existing tools technology or innovate new tech/tools to develop ASR solutions to meet project’s need.
- Work with application development engineers and QA teams within the scope of one or more customer projects to realize the project deliverables.
- Develop demos and products on various HW/SW platforms like android, Linux, QNX devices.
- Development and maintenance of relevant processes for the use in production on key projects at Nuance.

Qualifications 

Required Skills:

- Solid development skills in C/C++ and rich experience on the code optimization.

- Understanding of distributed systems, data structures and algorithms.

- Knowledge in machine learning & statistics area.

- Native speaker of Chinese.
- Ability to manage tasks and deliverables for simultaneous projects.
- Ability to work well both independently and within a team.

Preferred Skills:

- Team work spirit.

- Fluent English communication, good communication skills.
- Accomplished coder – can realize research ideas effectively.

Education: MS/PhD degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Math or equivalent

Overview:  Nuance Automotive specializes in conversational AI technologies for car manufacturers, helping them deliver unique user experiences to their customers. With the Dragon Drive platform, Nuance offers a deeply integrated hybrid solution that can be customized to become an OEM-branded smart automotive assistant which seamlessly integrates into the user’s connected ecosystem. Dragon Drive powers more than 200 million cars on the road today across more than 40 languages, creating conversational experiences for Toyota, Audi, BMW, Daimler, Fiat, Ford, GM, Hyundai, SAIC, and more. 

SSE Research Engineer Responsibilities  
Conduct research and development on speech signal processing for automotive mobile and TV applications. 
Create new solutions on speech enhancement and noise reduction for VUI system in various environments.  
Provide customer support regarding signal enhancement for speech communication and ASR in automotive, mobile and home applications. 
Analysis of customer requirements, Porting of an existing SW library of algorithms for speech enhancement on different processor platforms, and conduct optimization and tuning of algorithms and parameters according to customer requirements.  
Also conduct innovation research for solutions using ASR technology in different areas 
Qualification  Background knowledge and hands-on experiences on signal processing technologies. Especially familiar with speech signal processing, speech enhancement, and noise reduction Good knowledge on acoustic echo cancellation, beamforming and noise reduction technology Proficiency in programming skills (C/C++) Native spoken and written Mandarin  Excellent communication skills; English fluency, both spoken and written Ability to manage tasks and deliverables for simultaneous projects  Ability to work well both independently and within a team Independently and within a team

Postdoctoral research position:

Acoustic cough detection and processing for healthcare

A postdoc position focussing on the automatic detection, analysis and classification of coughing in unconstrained audio for healthcare monitoring and disease screening is available in the Digital Signal Processing Group of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.

The project will involve the development of machine learning algorithms that are able to automatically distinguish and characterise coughing on a mobile platform in a noisy environment, with an emphasis on the monitoring of tuberculosis. The project will also include the compilation of data corpus and collaboration with medical practitioners.

Specific project objectives include the gathering of the acoustic data, setting up and managing data annotation, using the gathered data to develop automatic detection and classification systems, optimising the developed algorithms for operation on a mobile device, and producing new and original research into how best to automatically detect and classify coughing in a difficult acoustic environment on a mobile computing platform.

Applicants must hold a PhD (preferably obtained within the last 5 years) in the field of Electronic/Electrical Engineering, Information Engineering, Computer Science, or other relevant discipline. Suitable candidates must also have practical and research experience in a relevant machine learning specialisation such as automatic speech or speaker recognition or sound event detection. The candidate should have an excellent background in statistical modelling, signal processing, and/or audio analysis. Applicants should also have proven prior experience in data compilation, have good programming skills and be able to use high level programming languages for developing prototype systems. Finally, candidates must have excellent English writing skills and have an explicit interest in scientific research and publication.

The position will be available for one year, with a possible extension to a second year, depending on progress and available funds.

Applications should include a covering letter, curriculum vitae, list of publications, research projects, conference participation and details of three contactable referees and should be sent as soon as possible to: Prof Thomas Niesler, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602. Applications can also be sent by email to: trn@sun.ac.za. The successful applicant will be subject to University policies and procedures.

Interested applicants are welcome to contact me at the above e-mail address for further information regarding the project.

Applicants are sought for a postdoctoral position on a project of auditory perception in complex listening environments. The project employs signal processing and computational models as well as experimental techniques (recordings of brain activity) to explore mechanisms underlying auditory scene analysis and their translation into smart audio technologies. 

Johns Hopkins is an outstanding intellectual environment for medical and engineering research. The laboratory is affiliated with the department of Electrical and computer engineering as well as the Center for Speech & language processing and the center for hearing and balance, two world-renown interdisciplinary research centers. 

Applicants should have a doctoral-level degree in neuroscience, physics, engineering or relevant disciplines. Prior experience in operating EEG equipment and electrophysiological data analysis are desirable. Strong computational skills and high motivation are necessary. 

Applications will be considered until the position is filled. Applications (CV + statement of interest + two references) should be sent to Dr. Mounya Elhilali, email: mounya@jhu.edu.

The Signal Processing research group at the Universität Hamburg (http://uhh.de/inf-sp) is hiring a research associate (PhD candidate) for a project on Phase-Aware Speech Enhancement.

The focus of the group is on developing novel methods for processing speech signals with applications in speech communication devices such as hearing aids, and voice-controlled assistants. Typically, the performance of these devices drops drastically when interfering noise sources are present. To mend this undesired behavior, noise reduction is  applied. This is most commonly done in a spectral domain, where speech is represented by means of its spectral magnitude and its spectral phase. Until today, most systems process only the spectral magnitude, as phase processing remains a challenge. However, this restriction to magnitude processing also limits the achievable performance of noise reduction systems. Thus, the goal of the successful candidate is to improve noise reduction systems by incorporating phase processing. For this, modern methods from signal processing and machine learning are to be  applied.

Please find the full job announcement with all details here, https://www.inf.uni-hamburg.de/en/inst/ab/sp/job-offer.html.

The Signal Processing research group at the Universität Hamburg (http://uhh.de/inf-sp) is hiring a postdoctoral researcher for 33 months for the project "Crossmodal Processing of Audio-Visual Signals".

Please find the full job announcement with all details here.
https://www.inf.uni-hamburg.de/en/inst/ab/sp/job-offer.html

Specific Duties:
The candidate will work in the Signal Processing group and will do research on modern methods for speech, audio, and audio-visual processing. The focus of the group is on developing novel methods for processing speech signals with applications in speech communication devices such as assistive listening, mobile telephony, and voice-controlled assistants. Typically, the performance of these devices drops drastically when interfering noise sources are present. To mend this undesired behavior, noise reduction is applied.
The goal of the successful candidate is to improve noise reduction systems by incorporating visual information captured by a camera. For this, modern methods from signal processing and machine learning are to be applied. Besides developing new concepts and implementing new algorithms, the typical tasks include experiments to test the methods, writing scientific publications, and traveling to conferences and workshops to present the work. We are interested in a highly motivated person who is interested in working with us on cutting edge research in a pleasant working atmosphere.

The Department of Medical Physics and Acoustics at the University of Oldenburg, Germany, is seeking to fill the position of a

Professor (W2) Speech Technology and Hearing Devices

commencing as soon as possible within the cluster of excellence “Hearing4all”.

The successful candidate should contribute to the already existing research focus areas hearing research, acoustics, speech processing and machine learning. She/He should exhibit links to the topics of the cluster of excellence, e.g., in audiology, auditory physiology, neurosensory science and systems, and modern methods of communication acoustics and signal processing. She/He should be a highly qualified researcher with an international publication record and practical experience in at least one of the following areas:

• Modern methods for speech and audio processing
• Machine learning and automatic speech recognition
• Modelling of machine and human speech recognition
• System technology for assistive listening devices

The successful candidate (m/f) is expected to contribute actively to the cluster of excellence “Hearing4all”, the collaborative research centre Hearing Acoustics as well as to the further structured research programmes within the Centre of Excellence for Hearing Research. In addition, she/he is expected to contribute to the core lecture program of the Department of Medical Physics and Acoustics (lecturing in English is acceptable, but German language skills should be acquired during the first 3-year period) with emphasis on engineering physics, acoustics and links to medicine and neuroscience.

Preconditions for employment are specified in § 25 NHG. To increase the proportion of women in science, equally qualified female candidates will be given preference. Applicants with disabilities will be preferentially considered in case of equal qualification. The position is suitable for part-time employment.

Applications should include the profile sheet (www.uni-oldenburg.de/medizin/unterlagen-zum-herunterladen/, Profilbogen für die Bewerbung auf eine Professur), a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, publication list, list of third-party grants, reprints of the five most important publications, teaching record, teaching concept, concepts of research and copies of credentials and records. Applications should be addressed to the Dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg (berufungen-fkvi@uni-oldenburg.de), and handed in by e-mail as one consolidated PDF attachment no later than April 25, 2019. Inquiries may be directed to Prof. Dr. Dr. Birger Kollmeier (birger.kollmeier@uni-oldenburg.de).

Two Postdoctoral Researcher/Project Researcher positions in speech processing

The University of Eastern Finland, UEF, is one of the largest multidisciplinary universities in Finland. We offer education in nearly one hundred major subjects, and are home to approximately 15,500 students and 2,500 members of staff. We operate in Joensuu and Kuopio. In international rankings, we are ranked among the leading universities in the world.

The Faculty of Science and Forestry operates on the Kuopio and Joensuu campuses of the University of Eastern Finland. The mission of the faculty is to carry out internationally recognised scientific research and to offer research-education in the fields of natural sciences and forest sciences. The faculty invests in all of the strategic research areas of the university. The faculty’s environments for research and learning are international, modern and multidisciplinary.  The faculty has approximately 3,800 Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students and some 490 postgraduate students. The number of staff amounts to 560. http://www.uef.fi/en/lumet/etusivu

We are now inviting applications for 

two Postdoctoral Researcher/Project Researcher positions in speech processing funded by the Academy of Finland at the School of Computing, Joensuu Campus.

• One position in machine learning for speaker modelling (e.g. speaker verification, voice anti-spoofing, voice conversion, text-to-speech, or similar)
• One position in perceptual and/or acoustic speaker characterization (e.g. phonetics/linguistics, speech modelling, statistical methods)

Both positions are filled in the Academy of Finland funded NOTCH research project (NOn-cooperaTive speaker CHaracterization), led by Associate Professor Tomi H. Kinnunen. The project aims at advancing the state-of-the-art in automatic speaker verification (defence) and voice conversion (attack) under a generic umbrella of non-cooperative speech, whether being induced by spoofing attacks, disguise, or other less expected intentional voice modifications. The NOTCH project applies multi-disciplinary research methods. The ideal candidate for the first position will have a background in machine learning or signal processing for speaker modelling and characterization. You may have a background in recognition, conversion or synthesis methods, as long as you are seasoned in state-of-the-art machine learning theory and practice (especially deep learning). The ideal candidate for the second position will have a background in acoustic-phonetic or perceptual methods for speaker characterization and will be fluent in devising novel statistical analysis methods such as linear mixed effect models. For both positions, multi-disciplinary thinking and willingness to contribute to both themes is considered a plus.

The Computational Speech Group of the School of Computing (https://www.uef.fi/web/speech/) , formed officially in 2018, works in the facilities of Joensuu Science Park, provides access to a modern research infrastructure and is a strongly international working environment. We are a group of dedicated individuals who do not want to follow a linear research path – we keep our mind open to high-risk new directions and collaborations. We hosted the Odyssey 2014 conference, were a partner in the H2020-funded OCTAVE project, and are known as a co-founder of the Automatic Speaker Verification and Countermeasures (ASVspoof) challenge series (http://www.asvspoof.org/). Joensuu, a friendly city “in the middle of KNOWhere” (as one of UEF’s slogans say) of about 115,000 inhabitants, is compact and contains all the necessary services within walking distance, with low living expenses and excellent opportunities for many outdoor activities. Despite its remote location, Joensuu is very international thanks to many of UEF’s international collaboration programmes and a vibrant student community.  

A person to be appointed as a postdoctoral researcher shall hold a suitable doctoral degree that has been awarded less than five years ago. If the doctoral degree has been awarded more than five years ago, the post will be one of a project researcher. The doctoral degree should be in spoken language technology, electrical engineering, computer science, machine learning or a closely related field. Researchers finishing their PhD in the near future are also encouraged to apply for the positions. However, they are expected to hold a PhD degree by the starting date of the position. We expect strong hands-on experience and a creative, out-of-the-box problem solving attitude. A successful applicant needs to have an internationally proven track record in topics relevant to the project he or she applies to.

English may be used as the language of instruction and supervision in these positions.

The positions will be filled from earliest April 1, 2019 for a minimum period of 12 months. The continuation of the positions will be agreed separately. The positions will be filled for a fixed term due to them pertaining to a specific project (positions of postdoctoral researcher shall always be filled for a fixed term, UEF University Regulations , Section 31).

The salary of the positions is determined in accordance with the salary system of Finnish universities and is based on level 5 of the job requirement level chart for teaching and research staff (€2,903.61/ month). In addition to the job requirement component, the salary includes a personal performance component, which may be a maximum of 50.0% of the job requirement component. The salary of a postdoctoral researcher is in the beginning around 3,300.00 - 3,500.00 euros.

For further information on the position, please contact (NOTCH): Associate Professor Tomi Kinnunen, email: tkinnu(a) cs.uef.fi, tel. +358 50 442 2647. For further information on the application procedure, please contact: Executive Head of Administration Arja Hirvonen, email: arja.hirvonen(a) uef.fi, tel. +358  29 445 3002.

A probationary period is applied to all new members of the staff.

You can use the same electronic form to apply for both research projects. The electronic application should contain the following appendices:

• a résumé or CV
• a list of publications
• copies of the applicant's academic degree certificates/ diplomas, and copies of certificates / diplomas relating to the applicant’s language proficiency, if not indicated in the academic degree certificates/diplomas
• motivation letter

The application needs to be submitted no later than February 28, 2019 (by 24:00 EET) by using the electronic application form.

Apply here.

We design, create and build outstanding experiences by developing and implementing new algorithms at the intersection of audio, voice, DSP, multimodal interfaces and new technologies.    What You’ll Do •  You will research, design, and prototype future Sonos systems and algorithms. •  You will collaborate with Audio Systems Engineering, EE HW, User Experience and various SW teams. •  You will drive innovation and push the boundaries of what we can achieve with human machine interaction and focus on speech and audio. •  You are confident in the state of the art and expertise in your field and you are ready to bring it to the next level. •  You will enable great user experiences by developing new algorithms.    Skills You’ll Need •  MS or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Acoustics.  •  3+ years of direct audio systems experience in product development or post graduate experience. •  Strong background in DSP, statistical signal processing and machine learning. •  Good mathematical understanding of audio, physics and signal processing. •  Experience in an applied research or advanced development. •  Developed non-trivial audio systems and/or algorithms. •  Proven track record of delivering innovative solutions (products, patents, publications). •  Proven ability of working effectively in complex interdisciplinary environments. •  Proficient in C, C++, MATLAB, and/or Python.  

At Crestron Electronics, Inc we build the technology that integrates technology.

We are proud to be the largest and most recognized brand in automation and control solutions, and the premier technology partner for fortune 500 businesses globally. Our products’ are integrated into new high-tech commercial buildings’ to include some of the most exciting real estate throughout the world.  Our clients include Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Linked In and many others.  

Our automation and control solutions for homes and buildings allow our clients to control entire environments with the push of a button, integrating systems such as Audio Visual, Lighting, Shading, Security, Building Management Systems and HVAC to provide greater comfort, convenience and security.

Overview:

We continue to experience rapid growth as we invest in resources and create new opportunities, as a result, we have exciting opportunities for a Senior Design Engineer to join our Analog Hardware team in Rockleigh, NJ 07647. As a design engineer for this team , you will work on cutting edge power supply designs using the latest technologies.  You will be part of the team that develops high power audio amplifiers and also create the next generation wireless devices for the Internet of Things.

Responsibilities:

• Develop a product definition, feature set, board level design and verification strategy from a high-level set of requirements.
• Perform detailed analog circuit design and analysis.
• Perform simulations of analog circuits.
• Specify and guide printed circuit board designs.
• Perform the verification and testing of various analog circuits.
• Perform debugging of analog circuits.
• Special projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

• MS in Electrical Engineering or related field + minimum 6 years of relevant experience is required.
• BS in Electrical Engineering or related field + minimum 8 years of relevant experience is required.
• Expert level knowledge of the below skills is required:

• DC/AC signal parameters, compositions, and transforms
• Analog circuit topologies (operational amplifier ( op-amp) , gain block, inverter, differentiator, integrator, filters), feedback loop stability and circuit simulation methods
• ADC and DAC based circuits
• SPICE simulations (e.g. LTSPice, TinaPro, PSpice, etc.)
• Low-noise techniques, grounding strategies, precision designs, and isolation techniques
• Practical knowledge of PCB construction, properties, effect of PCB materials on signal quality

• Excellent circuit troubleshooting techniques with the ability to debug down to the component level is required
• Excellent teamwork and interpersonal skills; ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team (HW, FW, and Mechanical design engineers) is required
• Familiarity with various regulatory requirements (UL, CE, FCC) is a plus.
• Familiarity with thermal management techniques for semiconductors is a plus.
• Familiarity with component de-rating for improving reliability is a plus.
   

EOE/M/F/D/V

Benefits

At Crestron Electronics, we offer a competitive total compensation package including medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance and Short Term Disability. 401K with company contribution, Paid Vacation, Holidays and more! 

We have new onsite state of the art fitness and wellness centers at our Headquarters in Rockleigh, NJ. 

Must be able to work in the US without sponsorship

 *No Solicitation*

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