Two PhD positions in Speech and Language Technology for Low Saxon varieties

Recent advances in machine learning have led to substantial improvements in speech and language technology. These advances have mostly been focused on languages with many resources available, such as English. However, there are several challenges for lesser-resourced languages. In this project, the scope will be on the regional Low Saxon language, specifically focusing on the varieties of Gronings and Drents, which are spoken in the North of the Netherlands.

What are you going to do?

The goal of these two PhD positions is to help develop adequate speech and language technology for Gronings and Drents. Depending on the qualifications and preference of the applicant, the focus may be either on Speech Technology (e.g., text-to-speech systems, and systems to help improve pronunciation) or Language (Text) Technology (e.g., Machine Translation systems), or a combination of both. Importantly, the implemented technology will be integrated into the MOI Grunnen | Drenthe project (see: https://cgtc.nl/nieuw-onderwijsprogramma-moi-brengt-grunnegs-en-dreents-in-de-klas/). In this project learning material and an integrative approach is developed for teaching primary school children the regional language. Implementation of the developed techniques in a user-friendly online system (for use by teachers and pupils) is therefore very important. Additional tasks also involve helping to collect acoustic data for these varieties (e.g., using custom online interfaces, or using our state-of-the-art mobile laboratory SPRAAKLAB).

As the position will be integrated in the Speech Lab Groningen (SLG) and the Center for Groningen Language and Culture at the Faculty of Arts, collaboration with other PhD students and postdoctoral researchers who are (partly) focusing on speech technology for the regional Groningen language variant is important for the project. You will also become a member of the broader GroNLP group, and are expected to join the weekly meetings GroNLP, and the bi-weekly meetings of the SLG. Likewise, collaboration with teachers and societal partners is of importance in this project. The successful applicant is committed to conducting independent and original scientific research focusing on the above field, to adequately implementing the developed techniques, to reporting on this research in international publications and presentations, and to presenting the final results of the research in a PhD dissertation. The PhD candidate will participate in local, national and international training activities, including summer schools and conferences, to maximally develop their potential. Teaching is not obligatory. However, the PhD candidate may help with the supervision of BA or MA research projects.

We are looking for a PhD candidate who:

• Has a relevant Master degree in for instance natural language processing, artificial intelligence, computer science, speech technology, human-machine interaction or a related field.
• Has excellent programming skills (Python), and experience with speech and language technology.
• Has an interest in regional languages, including Low Saxon and its varieties (it is not necessary to be able to speak one of these varieties, however).
• Has excellent command of English (both oral and written) and good academic writing skills.
• (Considered a plus, but not required) has knowledge of a regional variety of Low Saxon (specifically Gronings and/or Drents).

• 232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours.
• End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.
• Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.

At the University of Groningen (UG), researchers from all fields of academia and technology are working on academic challenges and societal questions. Lecturers prepare their students for meaningful careers within or outside the academic world. Interdisciplinary research and teaching, sharing of knowledge, collaboration with businesses, government institutions, and societal organizations are aspects that are of the utmost importance to this European top university. The UG aims to be an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working climate that invites you to add your value.

The Faculty of Arts is a large and dynamic faculty located in the heart of the city of Groningen. More than 5,500 students and 900 staff work every day at the frontiers of knowledge. The Faculty offers a diverse range of academic programmes, with 16 Bachelor's programmes and over 40 Master's programmes. With its strong international orientation, the Faculty conducts research in fields including archaeology, cultural studies, history, international relations, journalism, literature, and linguistics. If you would like to learn more about the Faculty of Arts, visit rug.nl/let. 

You are going to be embedded in the Center for Groningen Language and Culture (and Speech Lab Groningen) within the broader GroNLP research group. Within the Center for Groningen Language and Culture, ample high-performance facilities are available to help you with your research. Specifically, we have access to our own server containing two A100 40GB GPUs, as well as an NVIDIA Grace Hopper system with a single H100 GPU. In addition, we have access to a Temi robot, and access to the mobile laboratory SPRAAKLAB. Funding is available every year to travel to conferences (if a paper can be presented). You will be supervised by Prof. Martijn Wieling and Prof. Malvina Nissim.

Do you have any questions or need more information?

Questions about the content of the job?
Martijn Wieling (Associate Professor): M.B.Wieling@rug.nl

Questions about your application process?
Martijn Wieling (Associate Professor): M.B.Wieling@rug.nl