Research Assistant (all genders) - Speech and Audio Applications

Responsibilities

• Bring research into real‑world applications: You develop solutions for efficiently deploying and integrating machine learning models across platforms, enabling efficient real‑time execution on mobile and embedded devices.
• Optimize for performance and efficiency: You adapt algorithms to meet strict constraints on memory consumption and computational complexity while maintaining high performance.
• Ensure correctness through strong fundamentals: You apply your expertise in signal processing to test, validate, and verify algorithmic behavior in practical audio processing scenarios.
• Maintain high software quality standards: You implement clean, reliable code and ensure robustness through automated testing, quality assurance practices, and solid experience with audio processing systems.

Qualifications

• Master’s, Ph.D. or equivalent in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Strong programming skills in C/C++ as well as good knowledge of Python, including experience with deep learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow).
• Solid experience with Linux environments, including shell scripting and build tools (e.g., gcc, make, cmake).
• Practical knowledge of DNN runtimes (e.g., ONNX, TensorFlow Lite) and optimization techniques such as model compression and quantization (e.g., pruning, quantization‑aware training).
• Experience with audio DSPs, hardware SDK configuration, or digital signal processing for speech and audio is a plus.
• Fluent English and ability to work effectively in international, multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with a structured, root‑cause–oriented approach to debugging.

Benefits

• An exciting role: diverse and challenging work in an international environment, oriented toward state‑of‑the‑art research and technology.
• Room for creativity: Projects with strong practical components motivate employees to drive innovation.
• Positive work culture: open‑minded, trust‑based cooperation.
• Top‑of‑the‑line infrastructure at your workplace.
• Structured onboarding process to quickly become familiar with the institute and expand your network.
• Support for work‑life balance by offering flexible working hours and hybrid work.
• Ongoing professional and personal seminars, coaching, and language classes.
• Complimentary parking spaces, charging stations for electric cars, covered bicycle parking, and showers at the institute.
• In‑house health management, including sports courses, running groups, and relaxation seminars.

Job Details

The position is initially limited to 2 years with the aim to extend it subsequently. The weekly working time is 39 hours. The position can also be filled on a part‑time basis with a preference, however, to have it filled as close to a full‑time position as possible.

Equal Opportunity

We value and promote the diversity of our employees’ skills and therefore welcome all applications — regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, disability, sexual orientation and identity. Appointment, remuneration and social security benefits are based on the public‑sector collective wage agreement (TVöD).