PhD Fellowship in Neuromechanics and Motor Control of Voice

Application deadline: 16 September 2024 at 23.59 hours local Danish time.
Job description:
The Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark seeks a PhD candidate to study motor control and biomechanics of sound production across vertebrates.

• Start: 1 November 2024 or soon thereafter
• Duration: Three years.

The Vocal neuromechanics lab uses a combination of experimental and computational approaches to study motor control and physical mechanisms of sound production in the vocal vertebrates. We use and develop methods from biomechanics, electrophysiology, acoustics, and behaviour at different levels of organization (cellular, whole organ, in vivo).

Examples of our work: Elemans et al (2024) Nature 627: 123–129; Adam et al (2023) Nature Communs. 14: 7787; Madsen et al (2023) Science 379: 928-933.

The PhD fellow will use combined in vitro and ex vivo approaches studying vocal organ physiology in a comparative context. Experimental techniques from biomechanics, neuroscience and voice science will be used, such as high-speed imaging, 3D stereoscopy, muscle mechanics, EMG, sound and kinematic analysis.

We are looking for a highly motivated, dedicated and ambitious candidate with:
- Recent MSc degree - or similar - in biology or engineering, preferably with a background in neuroscience, bioacoustics or biomechanics
- Experience in signal analysis and programming (Python, R, Matlab, or equivalent)
- Excellent written and oral English language communication skills
- Strong communication and collaborative skills
- Interest in working in an interdisciplinary environment paired with excellent social skills.

We offer:
- A three-year PhD position in a stimulating and supportive, international research team,
e.g. the Sound Communication and Behaviour Group
- Access to state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure
- Excellent training in all aspects of this project
- The opportunity to work and interact with an extensive network of international collaborators
- A competitive salary and social benefits (e.g. health coverage, parental leave, social security etc.).

Contact
Please contact Professor Coen Elemans ([email protected]) for more information.

Requirements to complete a PhD at SDU
- Complete a study programme of 30 ECTS points
- Participate in dissemination of science (e.g. conferences) and teaching for approx. one semester at BSc and MSc levels,
in particular in the area of neurobiology and animal physiology
- Carry out an external research stay (max. nine months).
- Complete a PhD thesis including three scientific publications, all in three years
- Publicly defend your PhD.

Application, salary etc.
Appointment as a PhD Research Fellow is for three years. Employment stops automatically at the end of the period. The holder of the scholarship is not allowed to have other paid employment during the three-year period.

The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement on salaried PhD scholars between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Please check links for more information on salary (only available in Danish) and taxation.

The successful candidate will be enrolled at this university in accordance with faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order).

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Application must be in English and made in the form of a Declaration of Interest including the following:
• A letter stating your specific interest, motivation and qualifications for the project in question (max. two pages) (please attach this under box "Application form")
• Detailed CV, including personal contact information
• Copies of diplomas, Bachelor as well as Master’s degree, including transcript of notes/grades
• At least two signed reference letters. Should your referees wish to send their letters directly to us, please have them use e-mail: [email protected] mentioning your name and the title of the position in the subject line. And please note that these also need to reach us before deadline.

Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process.

Further information about the PhD-study can be found at the homepage of the University.

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link "Apply now". Attached files must be in Adobe PDF format. We strongly recommend that you read How to apply for a position at SDU before you apply.

Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated. This also applies to reference letters.

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark.

Placering: Odense, Denmark