Research Associate in Underwater Acoustics (AP12902)

University of Bath; Bath; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research institution in Bath is seeking a Research Associate in Underwater Acoustics to develop tools for studying Arctic soundscapes using Deep Learning and AI. Candidates should possess a PhD in a related field and have experience in underwater acoustics. The position is full-time with competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, including professional development opportunities and a family-friendly workplace.

Benefits

Free counselling services

Cycle to work scheme

Generous annual leave allowance

Relocation allowance

Visa reimbursement

Qualifications

• Experience in underwater passive acoustics and signal processing required.
• Very good knowledge of state-of-the-art in soundscape research, ideally adapted to underwater sounds.
• Proven potential to publish in high-quality, peer-reviewed journals.

Responsibilities

• Develop tools to study soundscapes of the Arctic Ocean.
• Use advanced techniques like Deep Learning and AI to analyze long-term measurements.
• Share knowledge by providing annotated datasets and developing training materials.

Skills

Underwater passive acoustics

Signal processing

Programming in Matlab or Python

Strong interest in marine Arctic environment

Education

PhD degree in a STEM discipline

Job description

Research Associate in Underwater Acoustics (AP12902)

University of Bath, Bath

£57,303 per year - estimated

Contract, Full time, NEW

As a post-doctoral Research Associate, you will develop new tools to study the soundscapes of the Arctic Ocean. You will use advanced techniques like Deep Learning and AI to analyse long-term measurements from our European project HiAOOS (“High-Arctic Ocean Observing Systems”) and other unique, associated datasets. You will compare the sounds from ice, biodiversity and human impacts with other observations (from multi-purpose moorings to satellite data) to gain new insights into the effects of climate change on the polar environments. You will share this knowledge by providing annotated datasets to train and validate future AI tools, and by developing innovative training materials for polar scientists, for example using JupyterLab and Docker packaging, to create MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses).

You will have experience in underwater passive acoustics and signal processing. With a good knowledge of ocean environments, you will also have:

• A PhD degree in a STEM discipline relevant to the project.
• A very good knowledge of the state-of-the-art in soundscape research and the latest themes in Deep Learning/AI, ideally adapted to underwater sounds.
• Programming skills, ideally in Matlab, Python or similar.
• A strong interest in the marine Arctic environment, including ice processes, animal vocalisations and the potential impacts of human activities.
• The ability to conduct individual research in an international, interdisciplinary setting.
• Proven potential to publish in high-quality, peer-reviewed journals.
• Demonstrated experience in presenting results orally and writing technical reports.

This is a full time (36.5 hours), fixed term position until December 2027.

For further information relating to this vacancy, please contact Philippe Blondel, [e-mail].

As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year.

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.

We’re very proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, an accredited Disability Confident Leader; autism friendly university, committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

We’re continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:

• Free counselling services through Health Assured
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
• Staff discount on language courses
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
• Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
• Local discounts and more
• A family-friendly workplace
• An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• Relocation allowance
• Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses

Find out more about our benefits and watch the video to hear from our staff about what makes the University of Bath a great place to work.

Closing Date: 14 Dec 2025

Department: Education & Research

Salary: £38,784 to £46,049