Research Engineer position in auditory perception

Research Engineer position in auditory perception

Overview

The auditory perception engineer will collaborate with research teams and partners (Orchestre de Chambre de Paris) under the supervision of Professor Paul Avan. The engineer will contribute to the project’s design and ensure operational coordination between research teams, artistic teams, and technical partners, guaranteeing scientific rigor and technical feasibility. Responsibilities include:

Responsibilities

• Engineering and Development : Design and develop tools to test participants’ perceptual or emotional reactions in real-time during live music workshops (preferably as a smartphone application).
• Design protocols for data collection and analysis : Considering the short time slots available for measurements, requiring close coordination with the artists involved.
• Research/Creation Interface : Translate scientific hypotheses into frameworks usable by artistic teams; translate artistic intentions into measurable and scientifically exploitable parameters; support musicians, composers, and project managers in adopting scientific and technical devices.
• Valorization and Mediation : Contribute to the scientific and cultural valorization of the project (conferences, meetings, commented concerts, workshops); participate in drafting scientific, technical, and pedagogical content accessible to musicians leading the workshops; occasionally engage in mediation activities for diverse audiences.
• Transversal Management : Contribute to tracking the project’s timeline, deliverables, and milestones within scope; participate in exchanges with institutional, academic, cultural, and philanthropic partners; propose scientific, technical, and artistic evolutions for the program.

Qualifications and Experience

• Profil : Research engineer in acoustics; in-depth knowledge of hearing; in-depth knowledge of music.
• Skills : Proven expertise in auditory perception; Master’s degree of audio engineering and signal analysis tools (e.g., MATLAB, Python, Max/MSP, or equivalents); ability to design and lead experimental protocols; understanding of musical creation environments and orchestra operations; ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams and simplify complex scientific content.
• Experience : Significant experience in interdisciplinary projects combining scientific research and artistic creation; experience in scientific or cultural mediation is an asset; musical instrument practice and/or participation in a choir or orchestra is a plus.
• Qualities : Scientific rigor and organizational skills; analytical mindset, intellectual curiosity, and innovation capacity; strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse profiles; autonomy and sense of responsibility in a complex environment.

Terms and Application

The position will be granted for 12 months, with possible renewal according to performance and grant application outcomes. The project will be conducted in Paris, in the brand-new CERIAH, part of Institut de l’Audition which also may provide exciting career opportunities for young talented researchers. Interested candidates should submit a CV and cover letter mentioning a few referees who might provide a letter of recommendation. Bi-monthly travel between the Pasteur Institute and the Orchestre de Chambre de Paris (Philharmonie de Paris) will be required.