The Vocal Biomarkers Scholarship 2026 in Norway offers an excellent opportunity for researchers interested in acoustics, signal processing, artificial intelligence, physics, mathematics, and health technology. The position is a fully funded PhD opportunity at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, Norway.
The research project focuses on the use of voice as a potential source of health information. Small changes in how people produce speech can sometimes reflect changes in the body. Researchers are increasingly studying these vocal characteristics as possible biomarkers for detecting or monitoring health conditions.
The selected PhD candidate will investigate the acoustics of the human voice for health applications. The work will involve recording, analyzing, and processing voice and speech signals. It will also include physical and numerical modelling of voice production, with results expected to contribute to international research through journal articles, conferences, and collaborations.
For candidates with a strong technical background and an interest in applying quantitative methods to healthcare, this PhD position provides an opportunity to work within an international research environment while earning a salary as a PhD Candidate at NTNU.
The Vocal Biomarkers PhD position is based at NTNU's Department of Electronic Systems in Trondheim. The department has a strong research profile in electronic systems, including signal processing, acoustics, communication technology, and health-related applications.
The successful candidate will join the Acoustics group and the interdisciplinary Connection research group. The research environment includes collaboration with national and international partners working in voice, speech, acoustics, and health.
The central idea behind the research is that the human voice can contain measurable information about physiological changes. Voice production depends on several physical processes involving the vocal folds, vocal tract, respiratory system, and nervous system.
Changes in these processes can affect characteristics such as pitch, loudness, resonance, timing, and other acoustic properties. Researchers can analyze these changes using signal processing and physical modelling.
The PhD project will explore how these measurable vocal features can be used in health applications. A key goal is to develop methods that are interpretable and transferable across different speakers, recording environments, and clinical situations.
The candidate will work with real voice and speech signals and develop models that connect acoustic observations with the underlying physics and physiology of voice production.
This makes the project suitable for applicants who enjoy combining theoretical knowledge with practical data analysis and computational research.
The Vocal Biomarkers Scholarship 2026 provides a range of financial, professional, and workplace benefits.
The gross annual salary for the position is normally NOK 550,800, depending on qualifications and seniority. A statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary.
Because this is a salaried PhD position, candidates can pursue doctoral research while receiving regular employment income.
The selected candidate will work in a strong international research environment with researchers involved in acoustics, signal processing, voice, speech, and health.
The position also provides opportunities to participate in conferences, international research activities, and collaborative projects.
NTNU provides career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period. This can help candidates develop both academic and professional skills that remain useful after completing their doctorate.
New employees can participate in a mentor program designed to support their transition into the NTNU working environment.
The position includes working capital that can be used to support implementation of the research project. This gives the candidate resources to carry out relevant research activities.
PhD candidates receive favorable terms through the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK). The position also provides access to employee benefits available to PhD candidates at NTNU.
Applicants must have a relevant academic background and meet the requirements for admission to the Faculty's PhD program in Electronics and Telecommunication.
Applicants should hold a relevant master's degree in a field such as:
Students who are completing their master's degree may also apply. However, the degree must be completed and properly documented before the candidate starts the position.
The education should correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree program, including 120 credits at master's level.
Applicants should have a solid foundation in mathematics or physics and good programming skills. Experience with Python or MATLAB is particularly relevant.
Experience in acoustics, speech or voice signal processing, physical modelling, numerical modelling, or simulation can strengthen an application.
Knowledge of areas such as finite-element modelling, acoustic modelling, vocal-tract modelling, or voice-production models may also be useful.
Applicants are expected to have a strong academic record, normally with an average grade equivalent to B or better according to the NTNU grading scale.
Applicants with weaker grades may still be considered if their overall qualifications demonstrate strong suitability for doctoral education.
Good oral and written English skills are required. English is important because the candidate will work with international researchers, publish research findings, attend conferences, and communicate scientific results.
The Vocal Biomarkers PhD is particularly relevant to graduates who want to work at the intersection of technology, acoustics, and healthcare.
A candidate may be a good fit if they have experience with speech processing, acoustic analysis, computational modelling, signal processing, physics, or quantitative research.
The project may also appeal to researchers who are interested in biomedical applications and want to understand how engineering and physical models can contribute to health research.
Applicants should be comfortable working independently while also contributing to an interdisciplinary research group.
Applications must be submitted electronically through Jobbnorge.no before the deadline.
Applicants should prepare the following documents:
Applicants who have recently submitted their master's thesis may submit a draft. However, evidence that the master's degree has been completed must be provided before the candidate begins the position.
Candidates who completed their education outside Norway should provide documentation showing the scope and quality of their education. A diploma supplement should be included where available.
An HK-dir statement may also be attached if the applicant already has one.
If the application contains joint research work, applicants should explain their individual contribution when it is not clear from the submitted material.
A strong application should make a clear connection between your academic background and the research topic.
Start with your technical preparation. Explain how your master's studies have prepared you for research involving acoustics, signal processing, mathematics, physics, computer science, or related areas.Your programming experience should also be presented clearly. Mention the programming languages, software, modelling tools, or analytical methods you have used and explain what you used them to accomplish.
The motivation letter should be focused and specific. Explain why vocal biomarkers interest you, why the proposed research fits your academic background, and what you hope to contribute to the project.
Your master's thesis is also important. If it involved signal processing, acoustics, modelling, speech, biomedical engineering, data analysis, or another related subject, highlight the relevant methods and results.
Finally, contact your referees early. They should have enough time to prepare meaningful references before the application deadline.
The application deadline is September 1, 2026.Applications and all required attachments must be submitted electronically through Jobbnorge.no before the deadline. Only information received by the deadline will be considered during the assessment.
Applicants should therefore avoid waiting until the final day. Documents such as transcripts, diplomas, references, and thesis files can take time to prepare.
The employment period is three years, with the possibility of up to one additional year for career-promoting work in the Acoustics group.During the PhD period, the candidate is expected to complete doctoral education and produce high-quality research. The work should lead to publications in international journals and presentations at relevant conferences.
The candidate is also expected to participate actively in the Acoustics group and international research activities. These may include conferences and research stays abroad.
Yes. The opportunity is a salaried PhD position with a gross annual salary normally starting at NOK 550,800, depending on qualifications and seniority. The position also includes pension and other employee benefits.
The application deadline is September 1, 2026. Applications must be submitted electronically through Jobbnorge.no.
Applicants need a relevant master's degree in acoustics, signal processing, physics, mathematics, computer science, or another suitable technical or quantitative discipline.
Good programming skills are required. Python and MATLAB are examples of relevant programming environments.
The position is based at NTNU in Trondheim, Norway, within the Department of Electronic Systems and its Acoustics research environment.
The research focuses on vocal biomarkers and how acoustic characteristics of the human voice can be studied for health applications using signal processing and physical and numerical modelling.