Research Assistant (f/m/d) - Soundscapes in a Building's Lifecycle

Weitere Informationen

The successful candidate will be employed under a regular employment contract.
The position is to be filled at the earliest possible date and offered for a fixed term of two years initially.
Continued employment for this position for at least one further year is planned.
The fixed-term employment is possible as it constitutes one of the fixed-term options of the Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz (German Act on Fixed-term Scientific Contracts).
This is a full-time position with the possibility of a part-time contract upon request.
The successful candidate has the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree in this position.
The salary is based on the German public service salary scale (TV-L).
The position corresponds to a pay grade of EG 13 TV-L.

Unser Profil

Topic and background:
We are currently looking for a research assistant (f/m/d) (TV-L EG13) to work in the field of noise and building / room acoustics. The aim is to identify typical sound events that can be regarded as representative in certain life cycle phases of a building, to record their effects on humans in laboratory experiments, and to make the results amenable for future design and planning (e.g., software auralization).

The Research Training Group MOSAIC:
Funded by the HEAD-Genuit-Foundation, the overarching goal of the MOSAIC research training group is to promote and further develop the construct of 'acoustic well-being' across disciplines, domains and scales in the context of the multi-domain and context-dependent spatial approach. As such MOSAIC also intends to make a substantial contribution to the still young field of soundscape research. The thematic focus is on the consideration of multiple influencing factors on the evaluation of the acoustic environment. The focus varies between humans, indoor spaces, intermediate spaces, and outdoor spaces. You can find a description of the research training group here: https://www.mosaic.rwth-aachen.de/go/id/blmbhz/ 

Within our sub-project, typical noise sources (“soundscapes”) are to be identified, investigated, and structured with regard to the extent of their impairment. The investigation focuses the different life cycle phases of a building. Sound and noise perception will be investigated under controlled conditions, i.e. keeping all other environmental conditions as constant as possible, as well as in interaction with these conditions (targeted manipulation of the thermal and/or visual environment). The knowledge gained in this way is to be made usable for future optimizations, e.g. through integration into planning software and the development of planning recommendations and guides.

Ihr Profil

• University degree (Master's or equivalent) in the STEM field; social science and computer science also possible if topically overlapping (please describe this in the letter of motivation)
• Required qualifications: (a) Knowledge in the field of acoustics, ideally already focused on building acoustics / room acoustics; (b) Programming skills in a common programming language (Python, C++)
• Desirable: Knowledge in the field of modelling and simulation (auralization) as well as in the field of study and test planning 
• Very good knowledge of German and English (both languages essential)
• Willingness to work in an interdisciplinary team, to take on responsibility, and to travel
• Interest in further scientific qualification in the form of a doctorate

Ihre Aufgaben

• Scientific processing of the research question in the MOSAIC network, close coordination and exchange with other doctoral students and project participants in the network
• Representative survey of typical noise events in buildings
• Planning and conducting test subject studies in the laboratory in order to quantify the effects of these sound events under standardized conditions
• Development of action and planning tools, integration into existing planning software
• Collaboration with national and international scientists and colleagues from various disciplines
• Presentation and publication of research results at international conferences and in international journals
• Participation in teaching and institute operations

Your application should include a CV, university certificates and a letter of motivation (max. one page) in which you describe why this position appeals to you and how it relates to your previous career.

Über uns

RWTH is a certified family-friendly University. We support our employees in maintaining a good work-life balance with a wide range of health, advising, and prevention services, for example university sports. Employees who are covered by collective bargaining agreements and civil servants have access to an extensive range of further training courses and the opportunity to purchase a job ticket.
RWTH is an equal opportunities employer. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates, particularly from groups that are underrepresented at the University. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability or age. RWTH is strongly committed to encouraging women in their careers. Female applicants are given preference if they are equally suitable, competent, and professionally qualified, unless a fellow candidate is favored for a specific reason.
As RWTH is committed to equality of opportunity, we ask you not to include a photo in your application.
You can find information on the personal data we collect from applicants in accordance with Articles 13 and 14 of the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) at http://www.rwth-aachen.de/dsgvo-information-bewerbung.

Besoldung / Entgelt

EG 13 TV-L