Kungliga Tekniska högskolan,

Project description

Third-cycle subject:Computer Science or Speech Technology
At Division of Speech, Music and Hearing,KTH we create machines that learn to speak, listen, move, and use body language like humans. Our goals are to improve the state-of-the art in machine learning; understand the behaviour of both humans and machine-learning methods; and create new science and technology to serve humanity.This particular project aims to create new machine learning that addresses real needs in science and applications. Particular focus areas are audio and speech synthesis, and motion synthesis from motion-capture data (e.g., for animation and games).Mathematically, you will primarily work to create and use deep-learning-based probabilistic time-series models.Important concepts are attention and normalising flows(a relative of GANs).Outside machine learning and probability theory the research involves topics from signal processing, NLP, phonetics, and computer graphics.You will be part of a large and dynamic research group in machine learning for human speech, motion, and behavior.Aptitude for teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration are important traits.

The position is financed by the national AI initiative WASP, which affords freedom in choosing one’s research direction, compared to many other PhD projects.This project sits where mathematics, computer science, and human behaviour meet. If you would like to formulate new, advanced mathematical models that you then can listen to or see them move, and also want to understand why you got the results you got, then this is the place for you!

Supervision: The doctoral student will be placed at KTH and supervised by Jonas Beskow.

What we offer

  • The possibility to study in a dynamic and international research environment.
  • A compulsory individual study plan to support your development in your area of interest.
  • A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement.
  • A postgraduate education at an institution that is active and supportive in matters pertaining to working conditions, gender equality and diversity as well as study environment.
  • Work and study in Stockholm.
  • Help to relocate and be settled in Sweden and at KTH.
  • Expert education in a field in great demand nationally and internationally.

Eligibility

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

  • passed a degree at advanced level 
  • completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at advanced level or
  • in any other way acquired within or outside the country acquired essentially equivalent knowledge.

Selection

In order to succeed as doctoral student,KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. In the selection of the applicants, the following will be assessed:

  • ability to independently pursue his or hers work
  • ability to collaborate with others
  • have a professional approach
  • analyse and work with complex issues

Other important traits are a careful and structured approach, openness toward interdisciplinary research.Good command of spoken and written English is required. Expertise in machine learning/deep learning and probabilistic modelling, and good programming skills (esp. PyTorch/TensorFlow) are strongly desirable. Experience and interest in areas like speech technology, signal processing, natural language processing (NLP), computer graphics/animation, and perception is preferred.
After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities and personal suitability.

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information regarding admission and employment

Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years ' time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

Union representatives

You will find contact information for union representatives on KTH's website.

Application

Apply for the position and admission through KTH's recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/entral European Summer Time).

Applications must include the following elements:

  • CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge
  • Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals,maximum 2 pages long
  • Copy of the degree certificate(s) and transcripts of records from your previously attended university-level institutions. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents are not issued in one of these languages 
  • Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text 

Other information Gender equality, diversity and zero tolerance against discrimination and harassment are important aspects of KTH's work with quality and core values in our organization. For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process please read here.We firmly decline all contact with staffing and recruitment agencies and job ad salespersons.Disclaimer.
In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment According to the agreement
Salary Monthly salary according to KTH's doctoral student salary agreement
Number of positions 2
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Stockholm
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number J-2019-3084
Contact
  • Gustav Eje Henter, ghe@kth.se
  • Jonas Beskow , beskow@kth.se
  • Anna Olanås Jansson, annaoj@kth.se
Published 05.Dec.2019
Last application date 02.Feb.2020 11:59 PM CET

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