PhD Scholarship in Engineering

PhD Research Studentship

Advanced Audio Technology for Creation of Environmental Sound Maps

Glasgow Caledonian University -School of Engineering and Built Environment

Reference Number:  11/12_37

Applications are invited for this full-time PhD research studentship within the School of Engineering and Built Environment at Glasgow Caledonian University.  The studentship is for a period of three and a half years (42 months), subject to satisfactory progress and provides payment of tuition fees at the UK/EU rate plus an annual stipend of £14,600 [please note that students from outside the EU are required to pay the difference between International and EU fees, currently this would amount to £6,672 per annum].  The successful candidate is expected to undertake up to 6 hours of academic support activity per week.

Project Description

Increasing population and noise associated with urban life has led to environmental noise becoming the focus of government efforts to measure noise levels and its effects upon the population. Noise maps are used to illustrate environmental noise levels and how they differ geographically. There is a need for detailed and specific data from noise maps - in particular the accuracy of modelled noise levels at a particular location and its effect upon those living or working in that area. This information can be used as a basis for the communication of information on environmental noise to the public. One means of addressing these issues is the creation of accurate audio models of environmental sound.

This project will provide the candidate with an ideal opportunity to develop their experience and expertise in audio and acoustics processing and modelling. In particular, auralisation of sound maps through binaural processing, and development of environmental noise classification algorithms. This kind of advanced audio technology has unique potential to build measures of human perception of noise into environmental sound maps, and to create an interactive audio tool for communicating information on environmental noise to the public.

Project Lead:  Dr Don Knox (D.Knox@gcu.ac.uk)  

Further information available here

Required background and/or experience of the candidate:

The candidate should possess a relevant 1st or 2.1 honours degree.  It is anticipated that the candidate will liaise with a wide range of stakeholders and that he/she will have to travel nationally/internationally for meetings and conference presentations.

How to Apply:

Application forms are available here  and once completed should be returned to GCUStudentships@gcu.ac.uk 

Please state the Project Title and reference number (as above) on the completed application form.

The closing date for applications is Friday 7^th September; short-listed candidates will be contacted by 28^thSeptember with interview details.