Postdoctoral Researcher in Machine Learning for Wildlife Audio

Teaser Text

We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher with a curiosity-driven record who works at the intersection of machine learning (ML) and the sounds of wildlife (“bioacoustics”). We are also happy to consider candidates in one of the two fields who can demonstrate a strong basis for working in this cross-disciplinary domain.

Specific research topics to apply to bioacoustics might include: low-footprint machine learning; acoustic signal processing enhanced by ML; human-in-the-loop/active-learning methods; representation learning; analysing sound sequences and vocal interactions; category discovery; Perma computing.

The successful candidate will work with Dr. Dan Stowell and his research team. The position is set in the exciting, friendly, and interdisciplinary environment of the "Imaging & BioInformatics" research group in the Leiden Institute for Advanced Computer Science (LIACS). Stowell's team also has regular close collaboration with researchers in Naturalis Biodiversity Centre, which is the Dutch national center for biodiversity information. Among other things, Naturalis runs large-scale ML services for nature recognition, including bioacoustics algorithms developed in the team.

What you will do

• Conducting rigorous research at the intersection of ML and wildlife bioacoustics;
• Actively participating in regular group and one-on-one meetings;
• Co-supervising Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD students;
• Presenting your research results to the scientific community at international conferences and through publications;
• Developing further collaborations in the institute and the wider research community.

Where you will work

The Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. It is a faculty where personal and academic development are top priorities. Our people are committed to expand fundamental knowledge by curiosity and looking beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science, and to contribute to addressing the major societal challenges of the future.

The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The research activities are organised in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight bachelor’s and twelve master’s programmes. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2700 staff and almost 6000 students. We are located at the heart of Leiden’s Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s biggest science parks, where university and business life come together. For more information, see www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science and www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at

The Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS) is the Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science Institute in the Faculty of Science of Leiden University. We offer courses at the Bachelor and Master of Science level in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, ICT in Business, Media Technology, and Bioinformatics. According to an independent research visitation, we are one of the foremost computer science departments of the Netherlands. We strive for excellence in a caring institute, where excellence, fun, and diversity go hand in hand. We offer a clear and inviting career path to young and talented scientists with the ambition to grow. For more information about LIACS, see https://liacs.leidenuniv.nl/ 

What you bring

• Ph.D. degree in computer science, acoustics, signal processing, or a related field;
• Good publication record in ML, and/or computational methods for audio data. A publication record in ML applied to bioacoustics is a bonus;
• Good programming skills in Python. Familiarity with ML frameworks (PyTorch, Tensorfiow, Jax) is a bonus;
• Demonstrated interest in biodiversity, animal behavior, or animal sound;
• High proficiency in spoken and written English;
• A team player who can communicate well also across scientific fields and teams;
• A creative, curiosity-driven scientist with an open mindset.

What we offer

• A salary between € 3.546,= until € 5.538,= gross per month, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours, payscale 10); 
• A holiday allowance (8%), an end-of-year bonus (8,3%), and an attractive pension scheme at ABP;
• Full reimbursement of public transport commuting costs for home-to-work travel;
• Flexible working hours: as a standard, you are entitled to a minimum of 29 leave days on the basis of a full-time working week of 38 hours; you can also save for extra leave, for example by working 40 hours a week, and in this way accrue an extra 96 leave hours, or exchange 96 leave hours for a 36-hour week.
• Lots of options when it comes to secondary employment conditions; we can, for example, discuss options for a sabbatical or paid parental leave. Within our terms of employment individual choices model, you can exchange leave days and/or salary for benefits such as an advantageous sports subscription and bicycle scheme;
• If your work allows it, hybrid working is possible within the Netherlands;
• A home-working allowance (day and internet allowance) and attention for good workplaces. The University will also provide you with a laptop.

What we value

Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. We strive to be an open community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to fully develop themselves. We consider an inclusive academic environment, where students and staff can share their experiences and viewpoints, to be essential for the development of talent.

Want to apply or find out more?