Project Description

Third-cycle subject: Computer Science

This project aims to develop generative models for spoken conversation, enabling machines to adapt their conversation style over time, much like humans. You will perform self-supervised learning on speech patterns, rhythm, and intonation from human dialogues to build adaptive text-to-speech systems. This innovative approach integrates text-to-speech technology, dialogue systems, and generative machine learning, aiming to be speaker-agnostic to avoid propagating biases and create engaging, inclusive human-computer interactions.

Supervision: Dr. Éva Székely (Assistant Professor), Dr. Gustav Eje Henter (Assistant Professor)

What We Offer

• Study in a dynamic, international research environment with collaborations with industries and top universities worldwide.
• A workplace with numerous employee benefits and a monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement.
• Postgraduate education at an institution committed to working conditions, gender equality, diversity, and study environment.
• Work and study in Stockholm, close to nature and water.
• Assistance to relocate and settle in Sweden and at KTH.
• Participation in the prestigious national AI initiative WASP, offering courses, summer schools, and international study trips.
• Opportunity to attend at least one international research conference per year.
• Expert education in a highly demanded field, both nationally and internationally.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to postgraduate education, the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

• Passed a second-cycle degree (e.g., a master's degree), or
• Completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 are second-cycle higher education credits, or
• Acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way within or outside the country

Additionally, there is a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6.

Selection

To succeed as a doctoral student at KTH, you need to be goal-oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process, candidates will be assessed on their ability to:

• Independently pursue their work
• Collaborate with others
• Maintain a professional approach
• Analyze and work with complex issues

Other important traits include curiosity, attention to detail, and openness toward interdisciplinary research. The applicant should demonstrate excellent command of deep learning, strong programming skills in PyTorch or similar, and experience in speech technology, large language models (LLMs), self-supervised learning, and signal processing.

Great emphasis will be placed on personal competency after meeting the qualification requirements.

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information Regarding Admission and Employment

Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not exceed full-time doctoral education in four years. An employed doctoral student can perform certain tasks within their role, such as training and administration, to a limited extent (maximum 20%). A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year and may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time. For studies leading to a licentiate degree, the total period of employment may not exceed full-time doctoral education for two years.

Union Representatives

Contact information for union representatives.

Doctoral Section (Students’ Union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

Contact information for the doctoral section.

To Apply for the Position

Apply for the position and admission through KTH's recruitment system. Ensure your application is complete according to the instructions in the advertisement. Applications must be received by the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time). Applications must include:

• CV with relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Copies of diplomas and grades from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements. Translations into English or Swedish if the original document is not in these languages. Copies of originals must be certified.
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other Information

KTH is committed to gender equality, diversity, and equal conditions. For information about processing personal data in the recruitment process, visit this link.

The position may include security-sensitive activities, requiring a possible security check.

We decline all contact with staffing, recruitment agencies, and job ad salespersons.

In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

About KTH

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm is one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities, a key center of intellectual talent and innovation. We are Sweden’s largest technical research and learning institution, hosting students, researchers, and faculty from around the world. Our research and education cover a wide area, including natural sciences and all branches of engineering, architecture, industrial management, urban planning, history, and philosophy. Read more here

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Contact:

1. Associate Prof. Gustav Eje Henter, ghe@kth.se
2. Assistant Prof. Éva Székely, szekely@kth.se
3. Viktor Söderlund HR, rekrytering@eecs.kth.se

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