[TYPES/announce] Possible postdoc opening, MINES ParisTech

[Pierre Jouvelot]

1. Synopsis:
Research work on the theory, specification, implementation and/or validation of a multi-rate compiler for digital audio processing. 

2. Project:
Imagine a world in which an audio engineer would design a new reverberation algorithm and post its implementation somehow on the Internet. A listener, looking for a richer online audio experience,  could use it by browsing the corresponding site, which would automatically lead to the download and activation of the corresponding sound processing snippet in her browser or even reroute her audio stream to the remote reverb site for processing. Equipping the reverb site with remote management capabilities paves the way to even richer sound installations in which multiple processing platforms would collaborate to provide to the user a dedicated listening environment; a couple of touches on her tablet, and audio parameters could be tuned to suit a changing situation, for instance when moving from the comfort of her home to the noisier environment of her car.

The ANR project FEEVER, which involves MINES ParisTech, GRAME, IRISA and Université Saint-Etienne, intends to make such a vision a reality. Yet, scientific and technical challenges abound: the technological solutions need to be (1) portable, to allow program-once, deploy-everywhere economic advantages, (2) easily programmable, to narrow the gap between specifications and implementation, (3) able to deal with multiple platforms, for seamless integration within the users listening environments, (4) efficient both in terms of computing time, since audio processing is a highly compute-intensive activity, and energy, if only to permit mobile applications, and (5) secure, since audio processing activity performed on the client side must not jeopardize the user system.

The Faust audio programming Domain-Specific Language and ecosystem (faust.grame.fr) is the proper starting point towards the global solution the audio world is waiting for. Faust, built upon the functional and synchronous programming paradigms, is currently a mono-rate-only specification paradigm, which makes frame-based processing algorithms such as FFT cumbersome. FEEVER intends to offer a multi-rate solution, a key design that will also help when dealing with user interactions, which occur at rates different from audio. This vision will be embedded within an industrial-strength, efficient, multi-rate, multi-platform, portable, easily-integrable Faust compiler; looking at validation issues here is key in order to ensure that the provided solution is secure.

3. Job Description:
A post-doc, on a six-month contract, with possible extension, is sought to work on theoretical and practical issues related to the FEEVER project. Possible lines of work include:
1.	performing a theoretical survey of synchronous and time-based semantics, with a particular emphasis on sampled languages such as Faust; 
2.	designing an operational semantic specification of the multi-rate Faust extension; 
3.	designing and implementing Faust-specific time-based (synchronous) compilation techniques; 
4.	formally validating, e.g., via proof assistants such as Coq, some key analysis and compilation steps from the multi-rate Faust compiler.

Addressing other research issues, when compatible with the FEEVER agenda (see www.feever.fr), could be envisioned.

4. Requirements:
A good knowledge of the theory and practice of functional language design and implementation is required; familiarity with proof assistants such as Coq would be a significant advantage. Appetence for audio signal processing and/or computer music would be a plus.

5. Financial conditions:
Salary may slightly vary according to the candidate's background and experience, but should be around 2,200 euros net.

6. Location:
Centre de recherche en informatique - CRI
MINES ParisTech
35 rue Saint-Honoré 
77305 Fontainebleau Cedex

A free private bus is available daily from MINES ParisTech main campus in Paris (except during summer, when public transport must be used), with a few additional stops along the way. Some work time in Paris can be arranged.

7. Contact:
Please send a résumé and a motivation letter to Pierre Jouvelot (CRI, MINES ParisTech).
E-mail: pierre.jouvelot--at--mines-paristech.fr
Web: http://www.cri.mines-paristech.fr/~pj