PhD Studentship in Psychoacoustic modelling for complex soundscapes

You will focus on one of the following:

1. Development of psychoacoustic models (basic psychoacoustic research):

Sound quality metrics are often used to analyse complex sound scenarios, e.g., for soundscape applications. Sound quality can also affect the health and well-being of people in a given environment. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that the definition of good sound quality in a given context is as precise as possible. In this regard, psychoacoustic indicators are usually used to develop these metrics.

In recent years, several psychoacoustic standards have been published based on the Sottek Hearing Model: the SHM Loudness.

Other very important psychoacoustic parameters are sharpness and impulsiveness. For impulsiveness there is currently no standard, but a model based on the Sottek Hearing Model published in 1993.

Improved models based on the recently standardised Sottek Hearing Model should be developed.

Objectives:

• Improved models for sharpness and impulsiveness.

2. Evaluation of complex acoustic environments using sound source separation methods:

Acoustic environments often consist of a multitude of different individual sound sources with varying acoustic qualities. Despite this, groups of participants can reliably reach a consensus regarding the most dominant sound sources and the most important qualities of such environments.

Objectives:

• Algorithmic identification of dominant sources and their direction from binaural recordings.
• Separation of dominant sources based on direction for individual auralisation and analysis.
• Extension of both approaches to multi-channel spatial audio (ambisonics) recordings.

The research would suit graduates with a solid understanding and expertise in signal processing and coding. Experience in statistics (or machine learning) and jury testing will be useful.

The Acoustics Research Centre at the University of Salford is a world-renowned institution with a vibrant research community. You will benefit from: expert supervision from leading academics in acoustics; access to state-of-the-art research facilities; the opportunity to collaborate with researchers from other disciplines, and a supportive, inclusive, and stimulating research environment.

HEAD acoustics has made significant contributions to the field of acoustic and psychoacoustic research. HEAD acoustics was established with a focus on binaural recording and playback technology, sound and vibration analysis, and communication measurement technology.

In Autumn 2025 you will then join the new EPSRC CDT in Sustainable Sound Futures when it launches. The CDT is an unprecedented collaboration for doctoral training between four universities and over 50 project partners. The CDT will provide extensive training that goes far beyond what is normally available for standard PhDs in Acoustics. A mixture of week-long residentials, master classes, theme days and online training will develop technical skills for acoustics (simulation, measurement, machine learning, psychoacoustics, etc.) and key skills for research (project planning, entrepreneurship, public engagement, policy influencing, responsible innovation, etc.). Placements in industry or academic partners will play an important role in ensuring students learn about context and how to create impact.

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