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Job Opportunity in the European Research Center of AB

CI Stimulation Strategy Researcher (m/f)

Advanced Bionics, with headquarters in Los Angeles USA , belongs to one of the three worldwide leaders in research and development of cochlear systems for children and adults. The company has more than 700 employees worldwide with the distribution of its products in around 30 different countries in the world. As a member of the Sonova group Advanced Bionics now has access to the leading technology and know-how of the world-leading hearing aid manufacturer Phonak AG regarding acoustics and micro system technique as well as complex audiological algorithms. The goal is to improve the hearing ability of people with profound hearing loss, thus adding to their quality of life. 

In Hannover, Germany , Advanced Bionics moves ahead with the European Research Center GmbH, founded in 2008. This centre focuses particularly on sound processing for cochlear implants, especially the combination of electric and acoustic stimulation, the integration of frontend algorithms to improve speech understanding in noise and fitting procedures. The research center works in close cooperation with clinics, technical development centers and universities from different European countries.

To support our young research team in Hannover we are now looking for a  

CI Stimulation Strategy Researcher (m/f)

to conduct research and feasibility studies on new stimulation strategies for cochlear implants to ensure enhancements, new features and new product concepts for future generations of Advanced Bionics Cochlear Implants.

Main tasks and responsibilities

-  Conduct research and feasibility projects on new stimulation strategies for CI with special focus on speech understanding in noise & music perception, low frequency hearing, sound quality, power efficiency

-  Integration of HI frontend sound processing (e.g. reduction of interfering noise and automatic environment detection) in the CI stimulation strategies 

-  Implementation on simulation platforms and research speech processors 

-   Perform studies with auditory models 

-  Perform bench-testing of research software. 

-  Design, conduction and support of acute and chronically perceptual tests with CI recipients 

More general

-  Define and supervise EU-wide collaborative research projects with external partners (clinics, universities and technology companies) 

-  Analysis and assessment of new technologies, concepts and procedures offered by external partners

-  Recruit and supervise internships, master students and PhD students 

-  Transition of new concepts and solutions into the product development projects at the AB headquarters in Sylmar , USA. 

-  Creation of IP and support of IP management 

-  Collaboration with Phonak research teams in Staefa, Switzerland and the Advanced Bionics research center in Sylmar, USA 

Required specialized skills

-   Background in CI stimulation strategies 

-   Background in psychoacoustics and psychophysics

-   Strong skills for programming in MATLAB. Simulink skills would be a plus 

-   Familiarity with implementing software applications in C

-   Ability to work with cross functional groups to debug and troubleshoot systems issues

Personal and social competences

-  Team worker, also in cross-functional teams

-  Clear presentation and communication style

-  Able to lead a project and to drive external cooperation

Education, training and work experience

-  Bachelor, masters or diploma degree in Electrical/Computer/Biomedical Engineering, Physics, Audiology or a related field; Ph.D. preferred

-  Experience in management of research or development projects

-  Experience in interaction with universities and clinics

Other requirements

-  Excellent English in speech and writing is mandatory. German is a plus

-  Travelling requirement up to 15 days per year

Location:

- Advanced Bionics European Research Center GmbH, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 35, D-30625 Hannover,
  Germany 

In return, we offer an exciting and challenging position with great potential for personal development, within a unique organization in a fascinating and fast-growing medical industry. If you want to work in an enthusiastic, motivated team and help launch the hearing implants of the future then please send your completed online application, written in English, to:

Helmut Pleiner

Director Human Resources

Phonak GmbH

Max-Eyth-Strasse 20, D-70736 Fellbach-Oeffingen, Germany

Phone: +49 711 51070-347

Fax:     +49 711 51070-903

E-Mail:  2606@phonak.com