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[AUDITORY] Research Catalyst Fellow in Audio (job opportunity; deadline 18 November 2026)

Dear Auditory List, 
(Apologies for cross-posting!)

Please see below details of a job opportunity. We are seeking a postdoctoral fellow to join us at the Institute of Sound Recording (IoSR) with a primary focus on developing research proposals and collaborative projects. 

The deadline is Wednesday 18 November, and the start date is flexible (within reason). Please feel free to forward to anyone who may be interested. Thank you!

Best regards,
   Enzo

—

RESEARCH CATALYST FELLOW IN AUDIO
Institute of Sound Recording, University of Surrey (UK)
Location: Guildford (35 minutes by fast train from London) 
Salary: £38,448 to £46,970 p.a. 
Post Type: full-time, fixed-term contract until Oct 2028
Closing Date: 23.59 hours GMT on 18 November 2026 
Interview Date: w/c 23 November 2026

THE ROLE

The Institute of Sound Recording (IoSR) is seeking a high-potential postdoctoral researcher to join us as Research Catalyst Fellow, strengthening the IoSR’s research and external funding (fixed term up to Oct 2028). This role offers the opportunity to build your research profile while helping the Institute develop ambitious research programmes, secure external funding and produce high-quality outputs and meaningful impact.

Working closely with the IoSR’s academic staff across its research areas in audio and acoustic engineering, and with our industry and academic partners, you will develop research ideas into competitive proposals, identify opportunities and help build the consortia needed for collaborative bids. 

A substantial part of the role will involve developing and coordinating competitive proposals for funding bodies such as the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Horizon Europe, and industry. You will proactively identify external funding opportunities that advance the IoSR’s research priorities and help colleagues develop fundable programmes of work. Working alongside colleagues, you will make substantive intellectual and methodological contributions, from shaping research questions and study designs to generating pilot evidence and writing applications. Through substantive roles in collaborative projects and, where appropriate, fellowship applications, you will develop a sustainable, externally funded research portfolio that supports your academic development and the IoSR’s research ambitions. Proposals that leverage AURORA³, the IoSR’s new national strategic infrastructure for audio, acoustics and AI research, are expected to form part of this portfolio. 

Alongside your collaborative research responsibilities, you will have protected time for research you lead. This will support the development of your research profile and publication pipeline in leading journals and conferences, complemented by opportunities to contribute to publications arising from collaborative projects. 

ABOUT YOU

You will hold a PhD in engineering, computer science, acoustics, or a related area by the appointment start date and bring strong methodological skills, a promising publication record or pipeline, and the ability to develop rigorous research ideas and persuasive proposals. We are looking for a proactive and collegial researcher who can work effectively across disciplines and build productive relationships with academic colleagues and external partners.

Your research will address questions in audio and acoustic engineering with applications in areas such as immersive media, communications, consumer audio and hearing health. We welcome expertise across signal processing, spatial audio, psychoacoustics, and machine learning for audio.

ABOUT US

The Institute of Sound Recording (IoSR) at the University of Surrey is an internationally leading centre for research in psychoacoustic engineering, combining acoustics, auditory perception, signal processing and machine learning. 

The IoSR hosts AURORA³, the UK’s national strategic infrastructure for audio, acoustics and AI, consisting of an anechoic chamber with one of the largest spherical loudspeaker arrays in the UK and a world-first variable acoustics room capable of changing both volume and absorption at the push of a button. 

The IoSR is also home to the world-renowned Tonmeister degree in Music and Sound Recording, which has produced a stream of highly successful graduates who have collectively received numerous accolades, including three Oscars, twelve Grammys, six Emmys, and twelve BAFTAs. 

WHAT WE CAN OFFER

We offer a competitive remuneration package, including a generous pension, relocation assistance where appropriate, flexible working options including job share and blended home/campus working locations (dependent on work duties), access to world-class leisure facilities on campus, a range of travel schemes and supportive family friendly benefits including an excellent on-site nursery.

HOW TO APPLY

Please complete the application form on the Surrey portal and attach your CV with full list of publications, and a short cover letter explaining why you are interested in the role:
https://jobs.surrey.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx?ref=053726

The University of Surrey is committed to providing an inclusive environment that offers equal opportunities for all.  We place great value on diversity and are seeking to increase the diversity within our community.  Therefore we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups, such as people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups and people with disabilities.

Informal enquiries may be made to Prof Enzo De Sena e.desena@xxxxxxxxxxxx. Applications received via email will not be considered.


--
Enzo De Sena
Professor (Full Professor)
Director, Institute of Sound Recording
Department of Music & Media
University of Surrey
Stag Hill, University Campus, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK

Office: 08aBC03
Email: e.desena@xxxxxxxxxxxx
URL: desena.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/enzodesena