Postdoc position: I am Sam, Sam I am
Humanoid interface for auditory training in hearing-impaired children

We are seeking a highly motivated and ambitious postdoctoral scientist with a background in engineering, robotics, artificial intelligence, or similar, to join the VICI project of Prof. Deniz Baskent, funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). The position is at the ENT Department, dB-SPL Lab, of the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) in the Netherlands. In this project we will utilize a Nao robot (“Sam”) for testing and training voice and speech perception in hearing-impaired populations. This can be especially taxing in vulnerable populations, such as children and older individuals. This not only limits our ability to properly characterize perceptual deficits in these populations, but also limits the use of targeted training as remedial support. Humanoid robots, such as the Nao robot (“Sam”), have shown to be effective testing and training tools for social communication. The postdoctoral scientist is expected to advance the said project, but also produce own ideas, co-supervise students, and maintain and adhere to lab protocols, such as ethical guidelines, data management plan, and similar.

UMCG is one of the largest academic hospitals in the Netherlands. More than 10,000 employees provide patient care, are involved in medical education, and perform cutting-edge scientific research focused around the theme of ‘Healthy and Active Ageing’. The research in the dB-SPL Lab aims at identifying problems that hearing-impaired listeners encounter in daily life, with the ultimate goal of proposing solutions to these problems. Our approach is multidisciplinary, and involves engineering, as well as behavioral and cognitive sciences. We work closely with patients of the clinic, the medical staff of the Cochlear Implants North Netherlands, manufacturers of hearing devices, and local and international collaborators.

- Candidates must have a PhD in biomedical engineering, robotics, physics, signal processing.
- Background in audiology, psychology, neuroscience or a related field can also be suitable, as long as the candidate can demonstrate technical skills.
- Programming experience with Matlab and/or Python is required.
- Good communication, writing skills, and publication experience are a must.
- Interest in working in an international environment and interacting with patients are recommended.
- Proficiency or willingness to learn Dutch is preferable.

The UMCG has a preventive Hepatitis B policy. The UMCG can provide you with the vaccination, should it be required for your position.
In case of specific professions a ‘Certificate of Good Conduct’ is required.

The advertised position is for one year, renewable for another year. We are aiming for a starting date of 13 January 2019, with some flexibility.

Your salary will be a maximum of €4,481 gross per month (scale 10), depending on your qualifications and relevant experience, based on a full-time appointment.
In addition, the UMCG will offer you 8% holiday pay, an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
The conditions of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for Medical Centres (CAO-UMC). English: http://www.nfu.nl/english/about-the-nfu/

More information
For more details on the project, the prospective candidates can contact:
- dr. Laura Rachman, e-mail: l.rachman@rug.nl (please do not use for applications)
- dr. Etienne Gaudrain, e-mail: e.p.c.gaudrain@rug.nl (please do not use for applications)
- prof. Deniz Baskent, e-mail: d.baskent@rug.nl (please do not use for applications)

Apply for this job
Please use the the digital application form at the bottom of the UMCG website - only these will be processed.
You can apply until 31 October 2019.
Send a copy of your CV including the names and contact information of two references (one of them preferably your
PhD or previous postdoc supervisor), a short motivation letter, and two representative publications.
Interviews will be held on 7 November 2019.

Within half an hour after sending the digital application form you will receive an email- confirmation with further information.