BBC Careers
Job Advert
Lead Technologist (Leader of the BBC Audio Research Partnership)
- Job Ref. No
- 634092
- Location
- Salford Quays
- Contract Type
- Continuing
- Contract Duration
- Continuing
- Job Category:
- New Media & Technology
- Closing date for applications
- 30 August 2011 at 11:59pm
Department
This is a rare opportunity to join BBC R&D in a newly-created senior role, based in our new labs at MediaCity UK. You will lead our newly-established Audio Research Partnership, as well being responsible for the technical leadership and line management of our audio team, which currently consists of six engineers split equally across our London and Salford labs.
The BBC Audio Research Partnership is a recently-formed strategic collaboration between the BBC and five leading UK universities (Salford, Surrey, QMUL, Southampton and York). The initial focus areas include periphony, spatial audio and Ambisonics (including aspects such as recording, encoding, reproduction, and mixing), and the related area of room acoustics (studio design for 3D, living room influence on 3D). Other current research areas include source separation and music information retrieval (including automatic metadata generation). In addition to leading our collaboration with academia through the Audio Research Partnership, and leading our in-house audio R&D team, you will also liaise closely with technology teams in other parts of the BBC, and with production staff in BBC divisions including Audio and Music, and Vision.
You will also be expected to play an important role as a member of the leadership team of BBC R&D’s North Lab.
The BBC Audio Research Partnership is a recently-formed strategic collaboration between the BBC and five leading UK universities (Salford, Surrey, QMUL, Southampton and York). The initial focus areas include periphony, spatial audio and Ambisonics (including aspects such as recording, encoding, reproduction, and mixing), and the related area of room acoustics (studio design for 3D, living room influence on 3D). Other current research areas include source separation and music information retrieval (including automatic metadata generation). In addition to leading our collaboration with academia through the Audio Research Partnership, and leading our in-house audio R&D team, you will also liaise closely with technology teams in other parts of the BBC, and with production staff in BBC divisions including Audio and Music, and Vision.
You will also be expected to play an important role as a member of the leadership team of BBC R&D’s North Lab.
For more information on Audio Research Partnership, please follow this link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/researchanddevelopment/2011/07/bbc-rd-launches-the-audio-rese.shtml
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BBC Research & Development (a part of BBC Future Media Division) has a worldwide reputation for contributing and leading the engineering research and development of many of the key broadcast technologies that have been introduced over the last fifty years. The research work is mainly on new technologies which are expected to be rolled out over a one to five year timescale and they require both in-depth theoretical knowledge and also a practical approach to potential deployment.
BBC R&D is based in two main labs, one in West London and one being grown as part of the MediaCityUK development in Salford. The work is divided across the labs according to interest of the team members. Teams in both work closely with a wide range of BBC, industrial and academic partners to develop solutions and research across our range of technologies.
The BBC has a rich and successful history of research and development in the field of audio in broadcasting over its long history, from loudspeakers, microphones, and studio design to signal processing technology and data-rate reduction. In 2011, the BBC believes the challenges of audio in broadcasting remain exciting and significant to our strategic future. Our Technologists and Engineers are critical to the future success of the BBC’s vision, preparing the BBC for an On Demand Digital World. Further information on current projects and collaborations being undertaken by Research & Development are available at: www.bbc.co.uk/rd
BBC R&D is based in two main labs, one in West London and one being grown as part of the MediaCityUK development in Salford. The work is divided across the labs according to interest of the team members. Teams in both work closely with a wide range of BBC, industrial and academic partners to develop solutions and research across our range of technologies.
The BBC has a rich and successful history of research and development in the field of audio in broadcasting over its long history, from loudspeakers, microphones, and studio design to signal processing technology and data-rate reduction. In 2011, the BBC believes the challenges of audio in broadcasting remain exciting and significant to our strategic future. Our Technologists and Engineers are critical to the future success of the BBC’s vision, preparing the BBC for an On Demand Digital World. Further information on current projects and collaborations being undertaken by Research & Development are available at: www.bbc.co.uk/rd
Role
Although this particular post is focussed on leading our activities in audio engineering as described above, a Lead Technologist may be expected to be involved in other areas as opportunities arise. This job specification outlines the breadth of work, some of the anticipated fields of expertise and indicates the level the role is required to work to, and the experience required. Individuals will not be expected to work in all skill areas to the highest of levels, but will be required to demonstrate a good range of skills, while specialising in one or two areas of technology research, innovation or project management.
As a Lead Technologist you will be responsible for a group of research & development projects; either small projects that stand alone, or parts of larger projects. These projects may deliver hardware or software systems, technical standards, or research knowledge. You will also be required to provide technical advice and consultancy within your own field of expertise.
You may be involved in any of the stages of a project, from feasibility studies through to implementation and delivery to the client. You’ll have every opportunity to develop your skills and see your ideas through to completion, very often into operational service.
Although currently envisaged as a Grade 10 appointment, it may be possible to offer a very high calibre candidate an appointment at Grade 11.
As a Lead Technologist you will be responsible for a group of research & development projects; either small projects that stand alone, or parts of larger projects. These projects may deliver hardware or software systems, technical standards, or research knowledge. You will also be required to provide technical advice and consultancy within your own field of expertise.
You may be involved in any of the stages of a project, from feasibility studies through to implementation and delivery to the client. You’ll have every opportunity to develop your skills and see your ideas through to completion, very often into operational service.
Although currently envisaged as a Grade 10 appointment, it may be possible to offer a very high calibre candidate an appointment at Grade 11.
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Requirements
You will have a strong track record and reputation for R&D work in audio in an academic and/or industrial role, and significant experience in leading research and development teams. You should also have experience of leading or working in collaborations between industry and academia. Experience of audio in a media production environment is highly desirable.
**Application Information: In addition to uploading your CV we would also like you like to answer 5 application questions. Please try to keep each answer to 500 words.**
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