Research Associate – Test Architect for Audio Codec Certification (all genders)

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft currently operates 75 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, located 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 across diverse fields, including 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.

Would you like to ensure that millions of consumers worldwide experience flawless immersive 3D audio? Join our team and shape the quality standards that define next‑generation sound.

Be part of change

Our group Embedded Audio Systems develops, among other things, device‑level test procedures for the MPEG‑H 3D Audio codec, which enables immersive 3D sound and interactivity. To ensure full functionality and interoperability in commercial devices, we established the MPEG‑H trademark program with extensive test suites covering test signals, test procedures, and test equipment – including testing device interaction via HDMI, ARC, and eARC, as well as audio‑video synchronization. In this role, you’ll combine scientific work with practical system expertise while directly influencing international industrial products.

Responsibilities

• Shaping the User Experience: Develop tests that have a significant impact on the user experience of end devices by ensuring the interoperability and quality of modern audio features.
• Maintaining and Expanding Excellence: Take ownership of the MPEG‑H 3D Audio Trademark Program by developing a broad understanding of the codec and creating a comprehensive test suite that allows our partners’ implementations of the audio codec to be verified and certified.
• Optimizing and Evolving: Extend, optimize, and maintain the existing test suite to ensure our certification standards remain at the cutting edge of audio technology.
• Go‑To Expert: Serve as the key contact for the trademark program, both internally and externally, bridging technical excellence with partner collaboration.

Qualifications

• University degree in Electrical Engineering , Computer Science , Engineering Sciences , Media Technologies , or a related field.
• Programming skills in Python and Bash .
• Experience with LaTeX and Git .
• Fluent English and the ability to collaborate effectively in an international, multidisciplinary team.
• Nice to have: Passion for music and audio in general.

Benefits

• An exciting role: Attractive working environment at a global market leader of a major innovative industry.
• Inspiring culture: Friendly and supportive working atmosphere within our international team.
• Room for creativity: Projects with strong practical components motivate our employees to drive innovation.
• We value personal contact: Structured onboarding process enabling quick familiarization with our institute and successful expansion of your professional network.
• We take your needs seriously: Work‑life balance support through flexible working hours and hybrid work.
• Top‑of‑the‑line infrastructure at your workplace: State‑of‑the‑art technologies to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.
• Your goals and interests are important to us: Ongoing professional and personal seminars, coaching, and language classes.
• We offer equal opportunities: For example, the ’Fraunhofer TALENTA’ career program for female scientists.
• Complementary 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.

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).

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.