Job openings neural networks and music

[Bert Kappen]

Quantization of Temporal Patterns by Neural Networks

A number of positions will become available for a research project on the
quantization of musical time using neural networks. Quantisation is the
process of separating the categorical, discrete time components -durations
as notated in the musical score-, from the continuous deviations as present
in a musical performance. The project has next to the fundamental aspects
(connectionist models of categorical rhythm perception and their empirical
validation), an important practical focus and aims at developing a robust
component for automatic music transcription systems. The research will be
realized jointly at the Nijmegen Institute for Cognition and Information
(NICI) and at the Laboratory for Medical and Biophysics (SNN), University
of Nijmegen. The project is funded by the Technology Foundation (STW).

The following positions are vacant:

Research Assistant (vacancy number 118)

The task of the research assistant (OIO) will be to design adaptive methods
for learning rhythm perception. Possible methods that will be considered
are neural networks, Hidden Markov models and probabilistic graphical
models. The candidate needs an excellent background in physics, mathematics
or computer science. This work will lead to a PhD degree in Physics.
Additional expertise in either music or psychology is an advantage.
Appointment will be full-time for four years or 8/10 for 5 years. Gross
salary will be NLG 2135 per month in the first year, increasing to NLG 3812
in the fourth year, based on full-time employment. This researcher will
become member of the neural network research group at the Laboratory for
Medical and Biophysics and will be employed by STW. This group consists of
8 researchers and PhD students and conducts theoretical and applied
research on neural networks.

Postdoctoral Researcher (vacancy number 21.7.97)

The postdoc will investigate an existing connectionist model for
quatization and will design and evaluate the prototype system and supervise
the implementation of the components. Extensions of the model to handle
tempo-tracking, polyphony and possibly beat induction are foreseen.
Furthermore the theoretical results obtained in the post-graduate project
need to be integrated and put to practical use. We look for a cognitive
scientist with experience in both experimental methods and in computational
modeling, preferably using Lisp. Experience with quantization and
relaxation networks is an advantage. Appointment will be full-time for
three years, with a possible extension. Depending on experience, the salary
will be between NLG 3882 and NLG 8201 gross per month. This researcher will
become member of the Music, Mind, Machine project team at the NICI.

Music Technologist/Programmer (vacancy number 21.8.97)

This technical assistant will be responsible for setting up the hard- and
software and conducting the recording of performance data, the construction
of user-interfaces, interfaces to existing music notation software, and the
implementation of an Internet version of the prototype. We look for an
engineer with experience in MIDI and related music technologies, Apple
Macintosh, World-Wide Web and Internet, and/or Lisp programming.
Appointment will probably be half-time for three years, with a possible
extension. The salary, depending on experience, will be between NLG 3694
and NLG 5603 gross per month. This researcher will become member of the
Music, Mind, Machine project team at the NICI.

More information

Details about the context of the research can be found at
http://www.nici.kun.nl/mmm and http://www.mbfys.kun.nl/SNN. Employment will
begin in early 1998. Nijmegen University intends to employ a proportionate
number of women and men in all positions in the faculty. Women are
therefore urgently invited to apply.

Applications (three copies) should include a curriculum vitae and a
statement of the candidate's professional interests and goals, and one copy
of recent work (e.g., thesis, computer program, article). Applications for
the OIO position  (Vacancy 118) should be sent before October 25 to the
Personnel Department of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of
Nijmegen, Toernooiveld 1, 6525 ED Nijmegen (Vacancy 118). Applications for
the post-doctoral position and music technologist (Vacancies 21.7.97 and
21.8.97) should be sent before November 15 to the Department of Personnel &
Organization, Faculty of Social Sciences, University Nijmegen, P.O.Box
9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Please mark envelope and letter
with the vacancy number.