Call for applications – PhD students (12 positions)
“Privacy for Smart Speech Technology” (PSST) is a joint doctoral training programme and Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action, the European Union’s flagship funding programme for doctoral training. We are a consortium of 7 European universities and 11 industrial partners searching for 12 PhD students to work on the protection and evaluation of privacy for smart speech technology. PSST is a unique opportunity, as it is the largest international project focusing on privacy in speech technology and because the importance of privacy has only recently gained wider appreciation.
This is no ordinary PhD programme.
The structured PSST doctoral training programme combines training in cutting-edge research, transferable skills and career-enhancing skills with exposure to multiple sectors and disciplines.
Join us and put your expertise in deep learning / machine learning, speech processing, information privacy and security, and user studies into practice and gain your PhD degree from TWO leading European Universities (listed below)!
We are looking for 12 PhD candidates who hold a master’s degree. We value diversity and plan to hire 12 fellows with a balanced background, skill set, and excellent academic track record. We especially encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups.
| Call opens | 10.12.2024 |
| Application deadline | 26.1.2025 |
| Shortlisted candidates informed | 28.2.2025 |
| Recruitment event in Finland for shortlisted candidates | 17.-18.3.2025 |
| Notification of acceptance | May 2025 |
| Planned start of employment | August 2025 |
PSST follows a double-degree model whereby, during their 45-month employment, each PhD student will work in collaboration with two universities towards PhD degrees from both institutions! Each PhD student will also spend 6 months on secondment to one of our Associate Partners, all leading European SMEs, large industrials or regulatory bodies active in speech privacy: CNIL (France), ELDA (France), ki:elements (Germany), Loihde (Finland), Naver (France), Omilia (Greece), Orange (France), Vocapia (France), VoiceInteraction (Portugal), Voice INTER connect (Germany), and VoiceMod (Spain).
Applications should include:
- Curriculum Vitae (including countries of residence in the past 36 months).
- Academic transcripts for completed courses and degrees.
- Motivation letter explaining why you want to pursue a PhD degree and why you believe you are an outstanding candidate to pursue your PhD researching PSST topics.
- Reference letter from Master’s thesis supervisor/advisor or similar.
- (Optional) Preferences for 1-3 research topics (see webpage) and universities.
Requirements
- A master’s degree in electrical engineering, computer science or related area (degree must be completed before employment can start).
- Mobility: The fellow must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the first recruiting organisation for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date.
- Fluent written and verbal communication skills in English are required, and knowledge of the local language is an advantage.
- Candidates cannot hold a doctoral degree.
Desirable skills
- Knowledge and skills in deep learning, programming, speech processing, user studies, and privacy.
- Ability to work independently and have a critical mindset.
- Pro-activeness and eagerness to participate in network-wide training events, international mobility, and public dissemination activities.
Submit your application at
https://www.aalto.fi/en/open-positions/doctoral-researchers-12-positions-privacy-for-smart-speech-technology-psst
PhD students receive a regular salary and social benefits according to national regulations, and if applicable, also family leave, long-term leave, and special needs allowances. The gross salaries we offer, including both a living allowance and a mobility allowance, are
| Aalto University (Espoo, Finland) | 3500 €/month |
| EURECOM (Sophia Antipolis, France) | 3261 €/month 1 |
| INESC-ID (Lisbon, Portugal) | 2680 €/month 2 |
| INRIA (Nancy or Saclay, France) | 3261 €/month 1 |
| Ruhr University Bochum (Germany) | Salary group TV-L E13 3 |
| Radboud University Nijmegen (Netherlands) | Salary scale P 4 |
| Technical University of Berlin (Germany) Salary group | TV-L E13 3 |
- https://www.horizon-europe.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/2022-02/horizon-europe—dn-pf—french-salary-explained-5762.pdf
- includes: base salary + food allowance + holiday allowance
- https://oeffentlicher-dienst.info/c/t/rechner/tv-l/allg?id=tv-l-2024&g=E_13&s=1
- https://www.ru.nl/sites/default/files/2024-09/Overview%20salary%20scales%201%20sept%202024.pdf
For queries, contact tom.backstrom@aalto.fi .
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN) , 101168193 – PSST.