PhD Research Intern - Acoustic Data (Acoustics)

TL;DR

PhD Research Intern - Acoustic Data (Acoustics): Developing technologies for immersive audio experiences with an accent on acoustic mapping, microphone/loudspeaker measurement and simulation, and direction-of-arrival/beamforming algorithms. Focus on solving constrained optimization problems, building data pipelines and analytics for acoustic signals, and producing technical documentation, reports, and research outputs.

Location: San Francisco, California, United States

Salary: $62/hr (hourly range; may vary by location)

Company

hirify.global’ Advanced Technology Group (ATG) conducts research to create next-generation audio and imaging technologies.

What you will do

• Solve constrained linear and nonlinear numerical optimization problems and formulate real-world problems within optimization frameworks.
• Work on acoustics including measurement and simulation of microphone arrays and loudspeakers, direction-of-arrival estimation, beamforming algorithms, and room impulse response analysis.
• Perform data analytics such as Monte Carlo analysis, building data pipelines (CI workflows, data models, SQL, Spark), and creating visualization dashboards.
• Write and maintain technical documentation; communicate findings via technical discussions, presentations, and published reports/papers; support IP protection through patent filings.

Requirements

• Pursuing a Master’s or PhD in Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field; recent grads within 6 months of graduation are eligible.
• Experience with Python and C/C++.
• Experience with machine learning / AI.
• Experience with acoustic simulations.
• Availability: full-time Monday–Friday for 12 weeks between September 2026 and December 2026 (start date: September 21, 2026).

Nice to have

• Familiarity with acoustic modeling tools (e.g., COMSOL, Treble, pyroomacoustics).
• Experience with real-world acoustic measurements (e.g., SMAART).
• Experience with data visualization.
• Experience with data intelligence platforms (e.g., Databricks).

Culture & Benefits

• Research internship within Dolby’s Advanced Technology Group focused on immersive audio technologies.
• Rolling application review; recommended submission by June 26, 2026.
• Hourly pay range based on role, level, and location; recruiter shares specific range and local perks during hiring.
• Opportunity to collaborate closely and contribute to technical documentation, reports, and papers.

Hiring process

• Submit application and resume for rolling review.
• Recruiter shares location-specific hourly range and benefits during the hiring process.