Doctoral scholarship holder objective and subjective assessments of the urban soundscape

Let’s shape the future - University of Antwerp

The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape. 

The research groups SuPAR (Sustainable Pavements and Asphalt Research) of the Faculty of Applied Engineering and the Antwerp Social Lab (a core facility of the University of Antwerp) are looking for a full-time

doctoral scholarship holder in the field of objective and subjective assessments of the urban soundscape

Position

• You will work actively on the preparation and defence of a PhD thesis entitled “Objective and subjective assessment of the impact of the urban soundscape on quality of life”. You will participate in and analyse data from a large-scale citizen science (CS) project called “De Oorzaak”. This recently launched CS project will gather both objective and subjective data from over 2000 citizens, in combination with a sleep and audiological study of 100 participants, and a soundscape assessment based on data collected using a dedicated smartphone app. In your PhD research, you will not only statistically analyse these data in depth, but you will also use GIS-based data and develop AI-based prediction models. Furthermore, you will perform VR-based listening tests (in cooperation with UMinho, Portugal, and the Antwerp Social Lab, Karolien Poels) to further assess the impact of different soundscapes, e.g. with and without the presence of a noise barrier. Lastly, you will develop an acoustical return on investment (ROI) based on the data from De Oorzaak and a specific case study where a new noise barrier is placed.
• During your research you will also cooperate with Elisabete Freitas (UMinho, Portugal). You are willing to go to Portugal (or another country) for an extended period (2-4 months) for a research exchange, or to another partner from (y)our international network.
• You communicate about your research by publishing in A1 journals and giving presentations at (inter)national conferences.
• You take on limited tasks of teaching support within the Department of Civil Engineering Technology, such as supervising scientific projects, bachelor's and master's dissertations, all related to your own doctoral research or broader expertise. Depending on your background, you will be involved in one or two courses as an assistant (e.g. I-Acoustics).
• You take on limited tasks of research support within the SuPAR research group and the laboratory, such as actively participating in LEAN sessions, helping in the organization of our annual AIS symposium, assisting the lab managers or technical staff, ...

Profile

• You hold a Master degree in Industrial Engineering, Engineering Sciences or Sciences,  preferably in (Engineering) Acoustics/Physics, Computer Science/Informatics, Construction, Civil or Mechanical Engineering, or a Master degree in Social Sciences or equivalent or will have obtained it by the time you start work.
• You can demonstrate excellent study results.
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• Your knowledge of English is good, both in written and oral communication. We aim for a minimum starting level of B2. If available, provide proof by adding one of the following in your application: an IELTS, TOEFL or equivalent test result. Since you will be involved in a CS project in Flanders (Belgium), speaking and understanding Dutch will be considered a bonus.
• You have carried out a master's dissertation or previous research in the field of environmental or building acoustics, or have thorough experience in one of the following research methodologies in another research field: analysing and comparing objective and subjective data, or developing and analysing VR-based experiments.
• Experience with statistics (using SPSS and/or R), large-scale surveys (using Qualtrics), big data analyses, Machine Learning (using Python), and/or listening tests is considered a bonus.

What we offer

• We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of two years. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed once for another two-year period.
• The planned start date is October 1^st, 2024, or as soon as possible after that date.
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for Contract Research Staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
• You will receive ecocheques, internet-connectivity allowance, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• You will do most of your work at Campus Groenenborger in a dynamic and stimulating working environment. There is also flexibility allowing you to work from home, or even abroad in certain circumstances.
• Our international group (11 nationalities) currently consists of 4 professors, 6 postdoctoral researchers, 13 PhD students and 5 supporting staff. You will get sufficient support from many of them before (e.g. visa application, finding a place to stay, …) and during your PhD research.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including June 17^th 2024 (by midnight Brussels’ time). Click on the 'Apply' button, complete the online application form and be sure to include the following attachments: the requested diplomas, a motivation letter, your academic CV, a one-page summary of your master’s thesis (in English), and optionally proof of your English proficiency.
• The selection committee will review all the applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. By June 25^th 2024 at the latest, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure. Please make a note of the following dates in case you are selected for the second stage interview: July 3^rd (morning) or July 4^th (afternoon) 2024. We will consider the time difference as much as possible.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Cedric Vuye (cedric.vuye@uantwerpen.be) or Prof. Karolien Poels (karolien.poels@uantwerpen.be). However, we will not screen any CVs on beforehand.

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.