Research Assistant/Associate in Data Sonification for Planetaria & Science Centres

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

Salary
Research Assistant: £32,296 to £33,882 per annum.
Research Associate: £34,866 per annum.

The Role
This is an exciting opportunity be part of a project to turn the Universe into sound! A new project will start in 2025 between academics at Newcastle University and Northumbria University, planetariums and science centres across the UK, and a planetarium software company. The goal is to present astronomical objects and concepts with sound (through the process of sonification) as a complement to standard visual methods. The motivation is to provide more immersive educational experiences, and to provide a more inclusive educational environment for those who need - or prefer - nonvisual methods of communication (e.g., blind and low vision audiences, those with wider special educational needs and disabilities).

This specific post is to take leadership on developing software for a "sonification toolkit", designed to enable planetarium presenters to easily create their own audio files, via sonification, for use in educational shows. The software will connect to online astronomical databases and provide the communicators with options for producing the sounds. We are exploring both stand-alone software, as well as embedding directly into the widely used DigiStar system.

You will be situated within the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics, at Newcastle University, working directly with Dr Chris Harrison. However, you will be also embedded within an exciting new "sonification hub", which starts early 2025, across both Newcastle and Northumbria Universities. This new research initiative into sonification methods and perception, includes academic members of staff, research associates and PhD students spanning computer science, music, astrophysics, material science, and mathematical sciences. Furthermore, as a member of the Audio Universe project, you will have collaborators across other UK and international institutions.

This position could be ideal for people with a wide variety of backgrounds. For example: a recent graduate with coding experience looking for a high impact educational-focussed project; an early-career astronomer looking for experience in a high impact coding project and/or science communication; or somebody with technical sonification experience looking for an exciting sonification high-impact application project.

This post is full-time over 12 months (fixed term), but part-time options can be discussed. The post-holder will be expected to be able to regularly work on the Newcastle University campus. Some UK-based travel, to visit project partners, may also be required.

The start date is expected around May 2025. Interviews are expected to be conducted in the last two weeks of January.

For any enquires about the role, please contact: Dr Chris Harrison christopher.harrison@newcastle.ac.uk.

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