Research Associate – Deep Learning for Speech and Audio Coding (all genders)

Overview

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft currently operates 76 institutes and research institutions throughout Germany and is the world’s leading applied research organization. Around 32 000 employees work with an annual research budget of 3.4 billion euros. The Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS, headquartered in Erlangen, is the largest institute of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft with more than 1 200 employees.

Welcome to the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS, headquartered in Erlangen! As the largest institute within the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, we have been conducting research for over 30 years in diverse fields such as artificial intelligence, microelectronics, sensor systems, data acquisition, signal processing, and signal transmission. Talented individuals from various engineering and natural science disciplines will find a wide range of exciting research topics under one roof. A few highlights that reflect our innovative strength include neuromorphic computing, 5G/6G mobile communication technologies, generative AI in speech and signal processing, and X-ray imaging for e-mobility.

What sustainable solution will you find with us?

Are you an ambitious research engineer or scientist who is keen on developing cutting-edge technologies based on deep neural network learning? Then we might have the right job for you!

Responsibilities

• Speech & Audio Coding Innovation: You will contribute to cutting‑edge research in speech and audio coding by investigating novel approaches to challenging signal processing problems, with a strong focus on speech and audio coding for communication applications.
• Generative AI in Speech Coding: You will explore advanced machine learning techniques, including generative AI techniques such as Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), diffusion based models (e.g., DDPMs), and transformer architectures, and assess their suitability and impact for deep neural network-based speech and audio coding.
• Data-driven Signal Processing: In this role, you will study, develop and apply new machine learning concepts to represent and synthesize speech and audio signals more efficiently.
• On-device Deployment: Leveraging your growing insights, you will translate advanced models into practical, real-time solutions suitable for resource-constrained mobile and embedded devices.

Qualifications

• A scientific degree (Master, Ph.D., or equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Engineering Sciences, Media Technologies, or a related field
• Expertise in machine learning and deep neural networks using generative AI (e.g. GANs, diffusion-based models, transformers)
• Strong background in digital signal processing, particularly regarding speech and audio processing/analysis
• Good programming skills in Python and C/C++, as well as good knowledge of deep learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch)
• Fluency in English to collaborate with an international team

What You Can Expect

• An exciting role: Attractive working environment at a global market leader of a major innovative industry
• Projects with a strong practical component motivate our employees to drive innovation.
• Our committed teams offer freedom for your own ideas and room for creativity.
• We value personal contact: Through our structured onboarding process, you easily become familiar with our institute and are able to extend your network successfully.
• We take your needs seriously: We support your work-life balance by offering flexible working hours and hybrid work.
• You will have ample opportunity to meet your colleagues in our community rooms, at sports courses (at the institute and online) and many other events.
• Our colleagues enjoy our positive work culture: We are open-minded, help and trust each other.
• Top infrastructure at your work place: With our state-of-the-art technologies, we develop solutions to meet the challenges of present and future.
• Promotion of talent already starts at school: Our programs inspire young people at an early age to pursue the sciences and foster creative junior scientists
• Your goals and interests are important to us: We offer ongoing professional and personal seminars, coaching as well as language courses.
• We provide equal opportunity: Our female scientists, for example, benefit from the career program » Fraunhofer TALENTA «.
• We offer complementary parking spaces, charging stations for electric cars and covered bicycle parking. In addition we also have free showers at the institute.
• We subsidise your Deutschlandticket (jobticket) - bus stops are directly located in front of the institute.
• Our in-house health management organizes, e.g. sports courses, running groups and relaxation seminars.

Working arrangement and terms

The weekly working time is 39 hours. The position can also be filled part-time, but as close to full-time as possible. The position is initially limited to 2 years with the possibility of extension. Appointment, remuneration, and social security benefits are based on the public-sector collective wage agreement (TVöD).

Equal Opportunity and Additional Information

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. Our tasks are varied and flexible, and we work closely with applicants with disabilities to identify possible solutions that best promote their abilities.

Fraunhofer plays a central role in the innovation process as a pioneer and catalyst for groundbreaking developments and scientific excellence. Would you like to work with us?

Click the Apply online button to make a difference! Once we have received your application, an automatic confirmation will be sent to you. We will then get back to you as soon as possible and let you know what the next steps are. For questions about the application process, our recruiter Claudia Kestler-Böhm will be happy to assist you at .

Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS