PhD research advancing objective hearing assessment and innovative middle ear surgery

Karlstad University; Leuven; Sur place; EUR 32 000 - 42 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

KU Leuven’s ExpORL research group invites a PhD candidate to work on a four-year project at the intersection of audiology, otology, and clinical-translational research. Collaboration with UZ Leuven will drive development of objective hearing measures using CORGEE in pediatric and adult patients.

The project includes two lines: (1) objective clinical assessment via CORGEE; (2) bony obliteration in cholesteatoma surgery.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Speech and Language Therapy and Audiological Sciences or related field.
• Strong interest in clinical and translational research.
• Excellent command of Dutch and English; good knowledge of French.

Responsabilités

• Contribute to the CORGEE objective hearing assessment project and validate it within the otology care pathway.
• Collaborate with university centres across Belgium and the Netherlands to collect and analyse clinical and radiological data.
• Support the bony obliteration in cholesteatoma study (CLEAR-EAR) and participate in multidisciplinary team activities.

Connaissances

Analytical skills

Collaborative teamwork

Dutch & English

Formation

Master’s degree in Speech & Audiology

Description du poste

PhD research advancing objective hearing assessment and innovative middle ear surgery

KU Leuven is an autonomous university. It was founded in 1425. It was born of and has grown within the Catholic tradition.

The Experimental Otorhinolaryngology (ExpORL) research group within the Department of Neurosciences at KU Leuven, in close collaboration with the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at UZ Leuven, is looking for an enthusiastic PhD candidate for a four-year research project at the intersection of audiology, otology, and clinical-translational research.
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Project

This PhD project combines two complementary research lines, both aimed at improving the diagnosis and treatment of patients with hearing loss.

1. Research line 1 – Objective clinical assessment of speech understanding using neural speech tracking with CORGEE

Accurately assessing hearing and speech understanding remains challenging in young children and in other patients who are difficult to test using conventional behavioural methods. At UZ Leuven, the CORGEE test platform (Brainphonics) has recently been implemented. This innovative EEG-based technology objectively measures the neural processing of speech without requiring active participation from the patient.

During the PhD, the candidate will further develop the clinical implementation and validation of CORGEE within the otology care pathway. The research will investigate the added value of objective assessment for clinical decision‑making, hearing aid and cochlear implant fitting, and patient follow‑up during rehabilitation.

Applications in patients who are difficult to test will also be explored, including young children, patients with multiple disabilities, and patients showing unexpectedly limited performance after cochlear implantation. Objective measurements will be compared with conventional audiological and behavioural assessments to determine the clinical value of this novel technology.

This project offers a unique opportunity to clinically validate and implement an innovative objective technology in routine care for children and adults with hearing loss.

2. Research line 2 – Bony obliteration in cholesteatoma surgery

The second research line focuses on the surgical treatment of cholesteatoma, a chronic middle ear condition that can cause hearing loss, persistent inflammation, and serious complications.

The PhD candidate will contribute to CLEAR‑EAR, an international, multicentre, prospective randomised study comparing the conventional canal wall up technique with the same technique combined with bony mastoid obliteration.

The research will investigate whether bony obliteration results in:

• fewer residual and recurrent cholesteatomas;
• better hearing outcomes and a better understanding of the underlying hearing mechanics;
• improved quality of life;
• more cost‑effective treatment.

The candidate will prospectively collect and analyse clinical, surgical, audiological, and radiological data, working closely with university centres across Belgium, including French‑speaking centres, and the Netherlands.

This offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the further optimisation and standardisation of cholesteatoma surgery through high-quality clinical‑translational research.

Profile

We are looking for a motivated candidate with:

• a Master’s degree in Speech and Language Therapy and Audiological Sciences, (Bio)medical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field;
• a strong interest in clinical and translational research;
• strong analytical skills and a critical scientific mindset;
• the ability to collaborate effectively with patients, clinicians, and researchers;
• an excellent command of Dutch and English, with good knowledge of French.

Offer

• a challenging research project with direct clinical impact;
• supervision within an internationally renowned research group in otology and audiology;
• close collaboration with the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at UZ Leuven;
• training in clinical research, data analysis, and scientific writing;
• opportunities to present research findings at international conferences;
• international collaborations with leading research centres;
• opportunities to develop into an independent researcher;
• a competitive PhD scholarship in accordance with KU Leuven salary scales.

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.

Job details

Title

PhD research advancing objective hearing assessment and innovative middle ear surgery

2026-11-17 23:59 (Europe/Brussels)
2026-11-17 23:59 (CET)

Closing on: 2026-09-30 (Europe/Brussels)

Closing on: 2026-09-30 (Europe/Brussels)

Closing on: 2026-09-30 (Europe/Brussels)

Closing on: 2026-10-12 (Europe/Brussels)

Closing on: 2026-09-14 (Europe/Brussels)

KU Leuven is an autonomous university. It was founded in 1425. It was born of and has grown within the Catholic tradition.