PhD Studentship: Challenging Deepfake Voices

Project title: Challenging Deepfake Voices  

Supervisory Team: Dr. Jennifer Williams (primary), Prof Richard Guest (secondary)

Project description:

Fake and synthetic media are becoming a well-known issue in society, from AI regulation and AI safety to protecting democracy from election interference. This exciting PhD project investigates two technical aspects of voice deepfakes:

1. What is it about a particular speaker’s voice that makes them easy or difficult to deepfake?
2. How can hidden information be embedded into the speech signal to make it impossible to create deepfakes of a person’s voice?

You will explore a variety of deep learning solutions, including voice synthesis, audio watermarking, and voice spoofing detection.

Funding is offered by the Centre for Doctoral Training in Complex Integrated Systems for Defence & Security (CISDnS), which will recruit motivated and inquisitive candidates across the themes of Digital, Physical and Biological systems. You will carry out research training in a world-leading research group, and CISDnS will provide the opportunity to be exposed to interdisciplinary challenges faced in the real-world via a Systems Thinking approach. You will learn about the wider challenges of research and innovation within the Defence & Security sector.

To discuss more about the project, please contact Dr. Jennifer Williams at j.williams@soton.ac.uk or for questions related to the CISDnS CDT please email: cisdns@soton.ac.uk

Entry Requirements: This PhD studentship requires UK Citizenship. First Honours or 2:1 bachelors or masters degree in Physics, Speech Technology, Linguistics, Signal Processing, Machine Learning, or Computer Science. We welcome applicants onto the CDT from underrepresented groups.

Closing date: 31^th Aug 2024. 

Funding: Full-time studentships will cover UK course fees and an enhanced tax-free stipend of approx. £23,500 per year for 4 years along with a substantial budget for research, travel, and centre activities. A number of studentships are available and will be awarded on a rolling basis, so you are encouraged to apply early for the best opportunity to be considered.

How To Apply

Apply online: Search for a Postgraduate Programme of Study (soton.ac.uk).

Select programme type (Research), 2024/25, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, next page select “Integrated PhD in Complex Integrated Systems for Defence and Security (2024-25)”

In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Dr. Jennifer Williams.

Applications should include:

Curriculum Vitae

Two reference letters

Degree Transcripts/Certificates to date

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk

CISDnS is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusivity. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break or are transitioning into a new role. The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.

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