Dear Sursound List, 
(Apologies for cross-posting!)

Please see below details of a job opportunity. We are seeking a postdoctoral 
fellow to join us at the Institute of Sound Recording (IoSR) with a primary 
focus on developing research proposals and collaborative projects. 

The deadline is Wednesday 18 November, and the start date is flexible (within 
reason). Please feel free to forward to anyone who may be interested. Thank you!

Best regards,
   Enzo

—

RESEARCH CATALYST FELLOW IN AUDIO
Institute of Sound Recording, University of Surrey (UK)
Location: Guildford (35 minutes by fast train from London) 
Salary: £38,448 to £46,970 p.a. 
Post Type: full-time, fixed-term contract until Oct 2028
Closing Date: 23.59 hours GMT on 18 November 2026 
Interview Date: w/c 23 November 2026

THE ROLE

The Institute of Sound Recording (IoSR) is seeking a high-potential 
postdoctoral researcher to join us as Research Catalyst Fellow, strengthening 
the IoSR’s research and external funding (fixed term up to Oct 2028). This role 
offers the opportunity to build your research profile while helping the 
Institute develop ambitious research programmes, secure external funding and 
produce high-quality outputs and meaningful impact.

Working closely with the IoSR’s academic staff across its research areas in 
audio and acoustic engineering, and with our industry and academic partners, 
you will develop research ideas into competitive proposals, identify 
opportunities and help build the consortia needed for collaborative bids. 

A substantial part of the role will involve developing and coordinating 
competitive proposals for funding bodies such as the Engineering and Physical 
Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Horizon Europe, and industry. You will 
proactively identify external funding opportunities that advance the IoSR’s 
research priorities and help colleagues develop fundable programmes of work. 
Working alongside colleagues, you will make substantive intellectual and 
methodological contributions, from shaping research questions and study designs 
to generating pilot evidence and writing applications. Through substantive 
roles in collaborative projects and, where appropriate, fellowship 
applications, you will develop a sustainable, externally funded research 
portfolio that supports your academic development and the IoSR’s research 
ambitions. Proposals that leverage AURORA³, the IoSR’s new national strategic 
infrastructure for audio, acoustics and AI research, are expected to form part 
of this portfolio. 

Alongside your collaborative research responsibilities, you will have protected 
time for research you lead. This will support the development of your research 
profile and publication pipeline in leading journals and conferences, 
complemented by opportunities to contribute to publications arising from 
collaborative projects. 

ABOUT YOU

You will hold a PhD in engineering, computer science, acoustics, or a related 
area by the appointment start date and bring strong methodological skills, a 
promising publication record or pipeline, and the ability to develop rigorous 
research ideas and persuasive proposals. We are looking for a proactive and 
collegial researcher who can work effectively across disciplines and build 
productive relationships with academic colleagues and external partners.

Your research will address questions in audio and acoustic engineering with 
applications in areas such as immersive media, communications, consumer audio 
and hearing health. We welcome expertise across signal processing, spatial 
audio, psychoacoustics, and machine learning for audio.

ABOUT US

The Institute of Sound Recording (IoSR) at the University of Surrey is an 
internationally leading centre for research in psychoacoustic engineering, 
combining acoustics, auditory perception, signal processing and machine 
learning. 

The IoSR hosts AURORA³, the UK’s national strategic infrastructure for audio, 
acoustics and AI, consisting of an anechoic chamber with one of the largest 
spherical loudspeaker arrays in the UK and a world-first variable acoustics 
room capable of changing both volume and absorption at the push of a button. 

The IoSR is also home to the world-renowned Tonmeister degree in Music and 
Sound Recording, which has produced a stream of highly successful graduates who 
have collectively received numerous accolades, including three Oscars, twelve 
Grammys, six Emmys, and twelve BAFTAs. 

WHAT WE CAN OFFER

We offer a competitive remuneration package, including a generous pension, 
relocation assistance where appropriate, flexible working options including job 
share and blended home/campus working locations (dependent on work duties), 
access to world-class leisure facilities on campus, a range of travel schemes 
and supportive family friendly benefits including an excellent on-site nursery.

HOW TO APPLY

Please complete the application form on the Surrey portal and attach your CV 
with full list of publications, and a short cover letter explaining why you are 
interested in the role:
https://jobs.surrey.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx?ref=053726

The University of Surrey is committed to providing an inclusive environment 
that offers equal opportunities for all.  We place great value on diversity and 
are seeking to increase the diversity within our community.  Therefore we 
particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups, such as 
people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups and people with 
disabilities.

Informal enquiries may be made to Prof Enzo De Sena [email protected]. 
Applications received via email will not be considered.


--
Enzo De Sena
Professor (Full Professor)
Director, Institute of Sound Recording
Department of Music & Media
University of Surrey
Stag Hill, University Campus, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK

Office: 08aBC03
Email: [email protected]
URL: desena.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/enzodesena

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