The AIMS South Africa, the National Research Foundation (NRF), and the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) are collaborating to sponsor one student to work on machine learning and bioacoustics. The student will work at AIMS in the lovely city of Muizenberg, South Africa, with a collaborative and vibrant team of researchers.
The study will make use of audio soundscape data from China that includes vocalizations from the world’s rarest monkey, the Hainan gibbon. The student will look at how improvements in deep learning can be used to bioacoustics difficulties, specifically how animal sounds may be identified automatically. Using algorithms for unsupervised and supervised learning,
the candidate will explore auto-encoders, transformers and cluster algorithms to automatically identify/classify sound categories. The methods developed would support ecologists by providing them with easy-to-handle tools based on deep learning to facilitate their data processing. The student may also record audio data in Cape Town and use audio recordings from other locations to validate their algorithms.
Eligibility Criteria For The AIMS Funding Opportunity: Applicants must be South African OR a national from one of the eight (8) Square Kilometre Array (SKA) African partner countries (Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia) holding a study permit/ permanent residency in South Africa. Women are strongly encouraged to apply. Eligible Countries: Africa
Type: Masters
Number of Awards: Not specified
Value of Award:
- A single scholarship award of one hundred and seventy two thousand nine hundred Rand (R 172 900) per annum will be provided to the student for a maximum period of two (2) years.
- A once-off travel grant to the value of fifteen thousand Rand (R 15 000) for the student to participate in a workshop/conference that is related to their research over the two (2) years of the scholarship award.
- A once-off laptop grant to the value of twenty thousand Rand (R 20 000) for the student to purchase a laptop required for their research.
- The funding will enable AIMS to facilitate accommodation, living expenses (including breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Eligible Field of Studies:
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- Statistics
Method of Application: Applications must include a complete CV, proof of bachelor completion, a covering letter detailing the candidate’s experience in programming and machine learning, availability to start, and interest in the project. Send your application as a single PDF file to dufourq@aims.ac.za on or before the deadline.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an online interview. Contact Dr. Emmanuel Dufourq (dufourq@aims.ac.za) for details regarding this funding.
Applications Deadline: February 20, 2023
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