PhD position in Smart Acoustic Sensing
University of Primorska, in collaboration with InnoRenew CoE and UP IAM, is offering a PhD position in smart acoustic sensing focused on the development of an intelligent acoustic sensing platform for the built environment.
The doctoral candidate will be employed at UP IAM and enrolled in the University of Primorska PhD study programme
Renewable Materials for Healthy Built Environments
. The project combines multi-microphone acquisition, digital signal processing, machine learning, embedded systems, IoT, and privacy-preserving methods to interpret building activity, occupancy, environmental conditions, and other indicators relevant to intelligent buildings.
Research topics include acoustic monitoring, microphone arrays, room acoustic requirements, listening tests, edge computing, adaptive control of indoor acoustic conditions, and human-centered design. The work has applications in structural health monitoring, occupancy detection, building operation and control, equipment diagnostics, environmental adaptation, and human activity recognition.
The successful candidate will develop and prototype hardware and software, validate sensing devices in laboratory and real-world settings, design and conduct listening experiments, develop DSP algorithms for embedded devices, and work on network communication protocols under computational and privacy constraints. The role also includes project management support, data management, reporting, open science, dissemination, and publication of results.
Eligibility includes a Master’s degree or equivalent in acoustics, physics, computer science, electrical engineering, audio engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field, together with strong English skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary international environment. Prior experience with IoT sensors, embedded devices, microphone arrays, listening tests, laboratory acoustic testing, and programming in Python, MATLAB, or C++ is desirable.
Funding includes a competitive salary with possible performance-based raises and no PhD tuition fee. The position is full-time, fixed-term for 12 months, with an anticipated start date of 1 October 2026 or another mutually agreed date. Applications are accepted until 9 September 2026.
To apply, send a CV, a motivation letter, and optionally a list of publications to [email protected]. Use the email subject line:
PhD position Acoustics
. For the doctoral programme and enrolment details, see the University of Primorska links provided in the posting. For questions about the topic, contact Assistant Professor Dr. Rok Prislan at [email protected].
