AIMS 2023 Master Scholarship: Machine Learning for Bioacoustics for African Students

Published: 08 Feb 2023 1,428 views

The AIMS South Africa, the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) are looking to fund one Master’s student to work in the area of machine learning and bioacoustics. The student will share office space with a collaborative and energetic team of researchers in the beautiful city of Muizenberg, South Africa at AIMS.

The project will use audio soundscape data recorded in China which contains vocalisations of the world’s rarest primate, the Hainan gibbon. The student will investigate how advances in deep learning can be applied to bioacoustics problems, in particular, how can the sounds of animals be automatically detected. Using unsupervised and supervised learning algorithms, 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.

AIMS Masters Scholarship

Benefits of AIMS Masters Scholarship

• 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)

AIMS Masters Scholarship Courses

• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Mathematics
• Statistics

Requirements for AIMS Masters Scholarship

Candidates 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.

Selection Process

• Bachelors degree in a relevant mathematical science (e.g. computer science, mathematics, statistics, engineering etc…).
• Good knowledge in machine learning.
• Strong Python programming skills.
• A desire to apply machine learning to bioacoustics and to learn about the field of acoustic ecology.
• The desire to share knowledge and work in a collaborative and respectful manner.
• Good communication skills (written, oral, and presentation).
• The candidate should be able to physically be present at AIMS South Africa for the period of the funding.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an online interview.

Application Documents

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. 

Application Deadline

How to Apply