Working Student - Physiological Signals as a Measure of Cognitive Load in Virtual Reality (all genders)

Welcome to Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS

As the largest institute within the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, we have been conducting research for over 30 years in diverse fields such as artificial intelligence, microelectronics, sensor systems, data collection, signal processing and transmission. Talents from various engineering and natural science disciplines will find a wide range of exciting research topics under a single roof. A few highlights that reflect our innovative strength: Neuromorphic computing, 5G/6G mobile communication technologies, generative AI in speech and signal processing, and X-ray imaging for e-mobility. And that’s just the beginning! Which sustainable solutions will you find with us?

You are interested in combining research and practices and would like to develop further in the field of auditory cognition and physiological measurements?

Then have a look at our offer!

Be part of change

As part of the »Advances Speech Research« group, you will be involved in performing empirical research on the perception and cognition of audio in an interactive virtual environment. One of the goals is to understand how physiological signals can be used to assess the cognitive load of processing speech information. Specifically, a study will be conducted to assess eye data such as pupillometry and gaze-tracking while people perform mind-wandering and N-back tasks. A controlled virtual reality environment will be developed to induce the different cognitive states in a systematic manner using different speech passages, enabling research into the mental demand in a reproducible environment. The research provides a unique opportunity to combine:

• Creative Design and Implementation: You will design and implement an audiovisual environment in a virtual reality environment and integrate tools to record physiological signals.
• Gathering Ground Truth Data: You will coordinate and conduct an empirical research experiment to collect data from participants reflecting cognitive states throughout various tasks.
• Data Analysis: You will perform statistical analysis of data following publishing methods in addition to supporting new modelling methods.
• Scientific Writing: You will be given the chance to contribute to publishing the research through scientific journals or conferences, in addition to showcasing your results through online datasets.

What you contribute

• You are currently studying either a bachelor’s or master’s degree related to cognitive sciences, sensory sciences, or a related field.
• Enjoying creative and collaborative work in a multidisciplinary field and are eager to learn about topics such as virtual reality and auditory cognition.
• Strong command of English for working in an international environment.

What we offer

• Organize your schedule: Benefit from flexible working hours that are perfectly compatible with your studies.
• Become part of a creative team: Experience an open and friendly working atmosphere in which your ideas are valued.
• Variety that inspires: Look forward to divers tasks that inspire and challenge you.
• Shape the future with us: Take part in application-oriented research and put your theoretical knowledge to practice.
• Innovation that inspires: Exciting and pioneering projects that make a real difference.

We will agree your start date and weekly working hours with you individually (as a working student 10 to 15 hours per week or for an internship at least three months) . You can reduce your hours before exams and increase them during semester breaks. You can set your working days flexibly. After your studies, there are attractive opportunities to join the institute on a full-time or part-time basis. You can flexibly determine the working days of your fixed-term employment contract.

We would be happy to offer you the opportunity to write a bachelor's or master's thesis in cooperation with us in the above-mentioned subject area. The thesis will be assigned and carried out in accordance with the rules of your university. For this reason, please discuss the thesis with a professor who can advise you over the course of the project.

We value and promote the diversity of our employees' skills and therefore welcome all applications - regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, disability, sexual orientation and identity. Severely disabled people are given preference if they are equally qualified.

About Fraunhofer

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is one of the world’s leading applied research organizations. 74 institutes develop cutting-edge technologies for our economy and society – more precisely: 30 000 people working in technology, science, administration and IT. They know: If you join Fraunhofer, then you are able to promote change. For themselves, for us and for the markets of today and tomorrow.

Ready for change?

Then apply now and make the difference! (PDF: Cover Letter, Resume, Certificates).

Do you have questions about the application process? Our recruiter Svenja Hofmann will be happy to assist you: [email protected]

Location: Erlangen