Organisation/Company LA SALLE
- FUNITEC Research Field Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 1 Dec 2026
- 14:00 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37.5 Offer Starting Date 27 Oct 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Other EU programme Reference Number MICIU/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 and FSE+. Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No Offer Description 1 PREDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP/ CONTRACT FPI IN PHYSICAL ACOUSTICS La Salle Digital Engineering School – Universitat Ramon Llull (Barcelona, Spain) offers a predoctoral research position within the project Experimental and theoretical characterization of flat and curved parametric acoustic loudspeakers for acoustic engineering problems, in short, CharPAL, funded through the Spanish State Plan for Scientific and Technological Research and Innovation 2024–2027. The position is associated with grant PID2025-175028NB-I00, funded by MICIU/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 and FSE+. Description of the PhD project: Parametric acoustic loudspeakers (PALs) generate highly directional audible sound through the nonlinear propagation of ultrasonic waves. Their ability to produce spatially confined acoustic fields offers promising opportunities for acoustic engineering applications. However, their behavior in complex environments remains insufficiently understood, while accurate numerical simulations often require considerable computational resources. The CharPAL project aims to advance the experimental characterization and theoretical modelling of flat and curved PAL configurations.



Particular emphasis is placed on developing three-dimensional acoustic measurement techniques and computationally efficient predictive models, thereby overcoming some of the limitations that currently restrict the broader application of this technology. The PhD research will combine advanced acoustic measurements, signal processing, inverse problem techniques and numerical modelling. Experimental investigations will involve robotic spatial scanning, particle-velocity measurements and near-field acoustic holography (NAH). On the theoretical side, the research will explore equivalent-source representations and semi-analytical models to predict the ultrasonic and audible sound fields generated by PALs. The research will also contribute to the design, additive manufacturing and experimental validation of PAL prototypes, with particular attention to flat and curved geometries. Beyond these fundamental developments, CharPAL will investigate two promising applications of PAL technology. The first concerns non-invasive acoustic characterization for heritage preservation, exploiting the ability of PALs to generate localized, approximately plane-wave excitation for measuring sound absorption and scattering coefficients without damaging fragile surfaces. The second focuses on automatic classification of packaging waste, using PAL-based acoustic impulse responses combined with machine-learning techniques to improve material identification and recycling efficiency. The research will involve:




* Develop and apply robotic scanning methodologies for three-dimensional acoustic field measurements.
* Characterize acoustic pressure, particle velocity, intensity and impedance.
* Investigate the application of near-field acoustic holography to parametric acoustic loudspeakers.
* Theoretical and computational modelling o Develop equivalent-source representations and semi-analytical models for flat and curved PAL configurations. o Apply inverse problem techniques to identify virtual acoustic source distributions. o Investigate computationally efficient approaches for predicting ultrasonic and audible sound fields.
* Design and experimental validation o Participate in the design and additive manufacturing of PAL prototypes. o Perform acoustic measurements and analyse experimental data. o Compare experimental observations with theoretical and numerical predictions.
* Engineering applications o Explore non-invasive acoustic characterization techniques for heritage preservation. o Investigate PAL-based acoustic measurements for automatic classification of packaging waste, including machine-learning approaches. Hosting institution and location The position is based at Universitat Ramon Llull, in Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona is a dynamic Mediterranean city with a strong international research ecosystem and a rich cultural environment. Its universities and research centres offer opportunities for scientific collaboration, while its proximity to the sea, cultural heritage and cosmopolitan atmosphere make it an attractive destination for international PhD researchers. Universitat Ramon Llull (URL) is a well-established private university in Barcelona, founded in 1990 as a federation of institutions with a long tradition in higher education.
La Salle Digital Engin

📌 Investigador/a Phd Project PHYSICAL ACOUSTICS – CharPAL (España)
🏢 LA SALLE - FUNITEC
📍 España