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- Tasks: Lead exciting research on plant acoustics, measuring sound emissions and responses under stress.
- Company: Join the University of Southampton, a hub for innovative interdisciplinary research.
- Benefits: Full-time position with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make groundbreaking discoveries in plant science while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: PhD or near completion in Acoustics, Engineering, or related fields required.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with a focus on open and reproducible research.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About the project
You will join an interdisciplinary project delivered through a collaboration between the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, the School of Biological Sciences, and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Southampton. Plants emit sound—particularly under stress—and may respond to sound in ways that influence physiology, root function and pollination. This project will combine experiments, analysis and multiphysics modelling to establish credible mechanisms, limits and open datasets for plant acoustic emission and reception.
We are recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Associate with an acoustics background to lead the acoustic measurement and analysis components, working closely with biology and modelling colleagues in a vibrant interdisciplinary team.
You will:
- Design, set up and deliver robust measurements of plant-generated acoustic emissions under controlled stress conditions.
- Undertake acoustic and vibroacoustic measurements including airborne acoustics, air-coupled ultrasonics, structural vibration/waves.
- Work in specialist facilities including anechoic chambers and controlled experimental environments, ensuring high-quality, repeatable data.
- Develop and apply signal processing workflows for weak transient signals, long-term monitoring, feature extraction and statistical analysis.
- Support sound playback/stimulation protocols for plant response and pollination experiments.
- Contribute to modelling activities through experimental design input and provision of validation datasets.
- Manage and curate research data, contributing to open and reproducible workflows (code, metadata and documentation) in line with project and UKRI expectations.
- Prepare research outputs including papers, conference presentations and contributions to shared project datasets.
Candidate requirements
- PhD (or near completion) or equivalent qualifications and experience in Acoustics, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Signal Processing or a closely related discipline.
- Strong practical experience in experimental acoustics/instrumentation (sensor selection, data acquisition, calibration, uncertainty/rigour and noise control).
- Strong signal processing skills (e.g., using Python and/or MATLAB).
- Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary team and communicate clearly across disciplines.
- Experience handling large datasets and using reproducible analysis workflows (e.g. Git/Jupyter/HDF5).
- Experience with ultrasonics, vibroacoustics, structural waves, laser Doppler vibrometry, anechoic facilities, soil acoustics, and/or bioacoustics.
This post is aiming to start from June 2026 (by agreement).
Research Fellow in Plant Acoustics (Acoustics-focus) employer: University of Southampton
Contact Detail:
University of Southampton Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Fellow in Plant Acoustics (Acoustics-focus)
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with folks in your field! Attend conferences, workshops, or even local meetups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream job.
✨Show Off Your Skills
Don’t just talk about your experience—show it! Create a portfolio or a personal website showcasing your projects, research, and any cool experiments you've done. This will make you stand out when you apply through our website.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and thinking about how your skills fit the role. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how they relate to plant acoustics. Confidence is key!
✨Follow Up
After an interview, don’t forget to send a thank-you email! It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great way to reiterate your interest in the position.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Fellow in Plant Acoustics (Acoustics-focus)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your acoustics background and relevant experience. We want to see how your skills align with the project, so don’t hold back on showcasing your expertise in experimental acoustics and signal processing!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re excited about this interdisciplinary project and how your unique skills can contribute. We love seeing genuine enthusiasm, so let your passion for plant acoustics come through.
Showcase Your Research Experience: When detailing your research experience, focus on specific projects that relate to the job description. Highlight any work with large datasets or signal processing workflows, as these are key components of the role we’re looking to fill.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for both you and us. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Southampton
✨Know Your Acoustics
Brush up on your knowledge of experimental acoustics and instrumentation. Be ready to discuss your practical experience with sensor selection, data acquisition, and noise control. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but can apply it in real-world scenarios.
✨Showcase Your Signal Processing Skills
Prepare to talk about your experience with signal processing tools like Python or MATLAB. Bring examples of how you've used these skills in past projects, especially in handling weak transient signals or large datasets. This will demonstrate your technical prowess and relevance to the role.
✨Interdisciplinary Communication is Key
Since this role involves collaboration across various fields, think of examples where you've successfully communicated complex ideas to non-specialists. Highlight your ability to work in a team and how you’ve contributed to interdisciplinary projects in the past.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-time scenarios. Think about potential challenges you might face in measuring plant-generated acoustic emissions and how you would tackle them. This will show your proactive approach and readiness for the role.