Research Catalyst Fellow in Audio

University of Surrey; Guildford; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous pension

Relocation assistance

Flexible working

On-site nursery

Job summary

The Institute of Sound Recording (IoSR) at the University of Surrey invites applications for a Research Catalyst Fellow. This fixed-term post (to Oct 2028) focuses on building a funded research portfolio, developing competitive proposals, and coordinating collaborations with industry and academia to secure external funding.

You will work with audio and acoustic engineering researchers, contribute to grant applications (EPSRC, Horizon Europe), and leverage IoSR’s national infrastructure for

Qualifications

• PhD in engineering, computer science, acoustics, or related field.
• Strong methodological skills and a strong publication record.
• Ability to develop rigorous research ideas and persuasive proposals.

Responsibilities

• Develop research ideas into competitive proposals for external funding.
• Coordinate collaborations across staff and external partners to build bids.

Skills

Proposal development

Grant writing

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Advanced data analysis

Education

PhD in engineering/computer science/acoustics

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

The Institute of Sound Recording (IoSR) is seeking a high-potential postdoctoral researcher to join us as Research Catalyst Fellow, strengthening the IoSR’s research and external funding (fixed term up to Oct 2028). This role offers the opportunity to build your research profile while helping the Institute develop ambitious research programmes, secure external funding and produce high-quality outputs and meaningful impact.

Working closely with the IoSR’s academic staff across its research areas in audio and acoustic engineering, and with our industry and academic partners, you will develop research ideas into competitive proposals, identify opportunities and help build the consortia needed for collaborative bids.

A substantial part of the role will involve developing and coordinating competitive proposals for funding bodies such as the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Horizon Europe, and industry. You will proactively identify external funding opportunities that advance the IoSR’s research priorities and help colleagues develop fundable programmes of work. Working alongside colleagues, you will make substantive intellectual and methodological contributions, from shaping research questions and study designs to generating pilot evidence and writing applications. Through substantive roles in collaborative projects and, where appropriate, fellowship applications, you will develop a sustainable, externally funded research portfolio that supports your academic development and the IoSR’s research ambitions. Proposals that leverage AURORA³, the IoSR’s new national strategic infrastructure for audio, acoustics and AI research, are expected to form part of this portfolio.

Alongside your collaborative research responsibilities, you will have protected time for research you lead. This will support the development of your research profile and publication pipeline in leading journals and conferences, complemented by opportunities to contribute to publications arising from collaborative projects.

You will hold a PhD in engineering, computer science, acoustics, or a related area by the appointment start date and bring strong methodological skills, a promising publication record or pipeline, and the ability to develop rigorous research ideas and persuasive proposals. We are looking for a proactive and collegial researcher who can work effectively across disciplines and build productive relationships with academic colleagues and external partners.

Your research will address questions in audio and acoustic engineering with applications in areas such as immersive media, communications, consumer audio and hearing health. We welcome expertise across signal processing, spatial audio, psychoacoustics, and machine learning for audio.

About the Institute of Sound Recording (IoSR)

The Institute of Sound Recording (IoSR) at the University of Surrey is an internationally leading centre for research in psychoacoustic engineering, combining acoustics, auditory perception, signal processing and machine learning. The IoSR is also home to the world-renowned Tonmeister degree in Music and Sound Recording, which has produced a stream of highly successful graduates who have collectively received numerous accolades, including three Oscars, twelve Grammys, six Emmys, and twelve BAFTAs.

• In return we offer a generous pension, relocation assistance where appropriate , flexible working options including job share and blended home/campus working locations (dependent on work duties), access to world-class leisure facilities on campus, a range of travel schemes and supportive family friendly benefits including an excellent on-site nursery.

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The University of Surrey is committed to providing an inclusive environment that offers equal opportunities for all. We place great value on diversity and are seeking to increase the 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.