Research Fellow in Generative Audio for Immersive Sound Design

UNIVERSITY OF SURREY; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in the United Kingdom is seeking a Research Fellow to investigate generative AI for sound design in content production. The role is based at the renowned Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing, involves contributions to academic publications and immersive technology demonstrations, and requires expertise in machine learning for audio. Candidates should hold a PhD and have strong programming skills, research publications, and communication abilities. The position is initially fixed-term until May 2028 and offers attractive remuneration and research opportunities.

Benefits

Relocation assistance

Well-equipped laboratories

State-of-the-art computing

Staff development opportunities

Qualifications

• PhD level qualification in a technical subject required.
• Experience with machine learning for audio applications.
• Publications in generative AI or audio processing expected.

Responsibilities

• Investigate generative AI for sound design.
• Contribute to academic publications and demonstrations.
• Collaborate in creative technology projects.

Skills

Expertise in machine learning for audio

Strong programming skills in Python

Strong communication skills

Research publications in generative AI

Curating audio datasets

Education

PhD in a technical subject

Job description

Organisation/Company UNIVERSITY OF SURREY Research Field Computer science Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 9 Feb 2026 - 00:00 (UTC) Country United Kingdom Type of Contract Other Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Join the CoSTAR National Lab’s audio team to pioneer generative AI within interactive and immersive technologies in CVSSP at the University of Surrey, a global community dedicated to life-changing education and research.

The role

This post investigates generative AI for sound design in content production, contributing both academic publications and practical demonstrations of immersive/interactive technology with CoSTAR. It is initially fixed-term upto May 2028 (extensible subject to funding).

The role is based at the Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing (CVSSP, University of Surrey), which researches machine perception for the benefit of society through technological innovations in healthcare, security, entertainment and robotics. CVSSP is internationally renowned and ranked first in UK research for computer vision and audio-visual AI, enabling award-winning technologies for content production in TV, film, games and immersive entertainment.

In 2021, CVSSP founded Surrey’s Institute for People-centred Artificial Intelligence (PAI). PAI drives AI activities for the CoSTAR National Lab for R&D in Creative Technology, led by Royal Holloway (University of London), a £51m investment by UK Government to give the UK's screen and performance industries globally competitive infrastructure. Investigating future AI-enabled storytelling experiences, we can leverage Surrey’s track record of translating fundamental machine learning, spatial audio and audio-visual AI into groundbreaking creative technology.

About you

We seek a talented Research Fellow to investigate generative audio AI technology for production of immersive and interactive experiences. We expect scientific contributions and creative-industry impact from the successful applicant, who should be qualified to PhD level in a technical subject, with relevant experience:

• Expertise in machine learning for audio, including speech, music and ambient sound generation
• Research publications in relevant areas, i.e., generative AI, speech/audio signal processing, machine listening or immersive media
• Strong communication skills, documenting research code/data, stakeholder reporting, and collaborating across technical and creative disciplines
• Strong programming skills, Python frameworks for ML and real-time audio software
• Curating audio datasets, spatial-audio/audio-visual recordings, and ML training/evaluation pipelines

Useful background includes sound design, music technology, expressive speech, HCI, perceptual/psychoacoustics, user studies, interdisciplinary collaboration, project coordination, and engagement with creative or industry practice.

What we offer

We offer generous remuneration, including relocation assistance where appropriate, an excellent research environment, well-equipped laboratories, state-of-the-art computing and staff development opportunities. 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 by train from central London, a global city. Our culture of world-class research and enterprise empowers people to achieve real change.

To apply, please upload your CV and cover letter via our website.

Interviews are expected w/c 16th February.

The University of Surrey is committed to providing an inclusive environment offering equal opportunities for all. We place great value on diversity within our community: we strongly encourage applicants from any under-represented demographic.