Research Fellow in Advanced Audio Systems

An exciting opportunity to join the CoSTAR National Lab’s audio team to pioneer future tools, interaction, immersive technologies and AI for the creative industries at the University of Surrey.

The role

Surrey’s Institute for People-centred Artificial Intelligence (PAI) leads AI activities for the CoSTAR National Lab for R&D in Creative Technology. The CoSTAR National Lab, led by Royal Holloway (University of London), invests £51m from UK Government into applied research to ensure that the UK's screen and performance industries have globally competitive research infrastructure and innovation skills.

As CoSTAR positions the UK’s creative sector at the cutting edge, PAI is developing the next generation of AI-enabled storytelling experiences and technologies, harnessing Surrey’s long track record of translating fundamental AI, computer vision and spatial audio into ground-breaking creative-industry technologies. 

The post will investigate novel audio systems for virtual production, contributing both academic publications and practical demonstrations of creative technology with CoSTAR National Lab. The post is initially for 3 years fixed-term, potentially extended for the partnership’s duration.

This post is based at the Centre for Vision, Speech & Signal Processing (CVSSP, University of Surrey), which founded PAI. CVSSP researches audio-visual AI and machine perception for the benefit of people and society through technological innovations in healthcare, security, entertainment, robotics and communications. CVSSP is ranked first in the UK for computer vision and recognised worldwide. Over three decades, CVSSP pioneered 3D computer vision and spatial audio, enabling award-winning technologies for content production in TV, film, games and immersive entertainment.

About you

We seek an experienced Research Fellow to seed R&D collaborations and advance audio technology for virtual production. The role equally emphasises scientific results and creative-industry impact. The successful applicant should be qualified to PhD level in a technical subject, holding relevant experience in some of the following:

• Audio production workflows (e.g., DAW, plugins)
• Immersive audio (e.g., ambisonics, binaural, object-based)
• Programming (e.g., real-time audio, games engine, machine learning toolboxes, git)
• Acoustics (e.g., sound properties, room modes, reverberation, HRTFs)
• Participatory research (e.g., formal listening tests, statistics, ethics)
• Practical (e.g., acoustical measurements, practical demonstrations, performance capture, musical training)

Applicants need excellent software engineering & technical writing skills, alongside motivation to engage with creative industry and develop novel solutions.  Professional communication & collaboration skills are essential.

What we offer

With its world-class research profile & enterprising spirit, the University of Surrey is an ambitious global community of ideas and people, dedicated to life-changing education and research. Our culture empowers people to achieve real change. The University resides in one of England’s safest counties, nestled by the Surrey Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, yet only 35 minutes from central London by train.

We offer generous renumeration, including relocation assistance where appropriate, world-class research environment, well-equipped laboratories, state-of-the-art computing & staff development opportunities.

How to apply

Informal email enquiries are welcomed to:

Professor Philip Jackson (p.jackson@surrey.ac.uk) or

Professor Enzo De Sena (e.desena@surrey.ac.uk).

To apply please upload your CV and a cover letter via our website, by clicking the 'Apply' button, above.

Interviews are expected w/c 5^th May 2025.

The University of Surrey is committed to providing an inclusive environment offering equal opportunities for all.  We place great value on diversity and seek to increase diversity within our community.  Therefore, we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups, such as people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups and people with disabilities.

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