EPSRC Industrial CASE Studentship; University of Southampton
EPSRC Industrial CASE Studentship
Music Perception Assessment of Cochlear Implant Users and Candidates
University of Southampton – Institute of Sound & Vibration Research
A UK PhD studentship is now available at the ISVR to develop and evaluate methods for quantifying the music perception abilities of cochlear implant users and candidates. The duration of the studentship is 3.5 years starting February 2010 (or as soon as possible thereafter) and is fully funded by the EPSRC and Cochlear Europe Ltd.
A cochlear implant (CI) is an assistive hearing device which enables severely and profoundly deaf individuals to experience speech and other environmental sounds. Current assessment of CI candidacy and performance focuses on the evaluation of speech understanding, and data on music perception is lacking. The main aim of this research is to develop and evaluate psychophysical tests for quantifying the music perception abilities of severely or profoundly deaf people who use (or intend to use) cochlear implant technology to perceive sound. A series of comprehensive tests for assessing the music perception abilities of these individuals are to be developed, which will ultimately provide additional indicators of CI candidacy, assist clinicians in determining the (re)habilitation needs and progress of CI users and enable the thorough evaluation of both new developments in CI technology and existing devices/strategies.
You will work closely with the South of England Cochlear Implant Centre at the ISVR and will spend 3 months on placement at Cochlear Europe’s Technology Centre in Mechelen, Belgium. This research project should position you for a future career in academia, clinical research or industry.
The studentship would provide support at standard EPSRC rates (currently £13,290 p.a.) and UK tuition fees, with further support from Cochlear for conference attendance. Students with an undergraduate and/or masters degree in audiology, music/music technology, psychology, computer science or other related discipline and with skills in programming and/or experimental studies involving humans are invited to apply.
Informal enquiries can be made to:
Dr Rachel van Besouw +44 (0)2380 593014 rvb@isvr.soton.ac.uk or
Prof. Mark Lutman +44 (0)2380 59 2798 mel@isvr.soton.ac.uk
Applicants should send a full curriculum vitae, including the names and addresses of three referees, to
Mrs M Z Mew, Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ.
Tel: +44 (0)23 8059 2294. Fax: +44 (0)23 8059 3190.
Please quote reference number 4060-09-E.
The closing date for applications is 24 December 2009.
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Filed Under: Computer Science • University of Southampton
