Job Phonetic Linguist - Singing Voice Data Annotation for AI. Remote, Canberra

We are seeking a highly qualified Phonetic Linguist to join our team working on cutting-edge AI voice synthesis technology. This role involves precise annotation of professional singing recordings to create training data for advanced voice synthesis models.

The position requires segmenting singing audio into individual phonemes with millisecond-level accuracy using spectrogram analysis. You will work with recordings across multiple languages, identifying and labeling vocal techniques including breathing patterns, glottal stops, vocal fry, and silence markers.

This is a remote contract position offering the opportunity to work with proprietary annotation technology while contributing to breakthrough developments in AI-powered vocal synthesis. The role involves collaboration with an international team and handling confidential voice synthesis research.

Key responsibilities include:

• Segmenting singing recordings into 5-30 second phrases with precise timing

• Correcting automated phoneme predictions using visual and auditory analysis

• Labeling special vocal elements (breathing, silences, glottal stops)

• Handling cross-linguistic pronunciation variations in musical contexts

• Maintaining consistent quality standards across large datasets

• Working with proprietary web-based annotation platforms

Technical requirements:

• Reliable high-speed internet connection

• Professional audio equipment for precise listening

• Quiet workspace suitable for detailed audio analysis

• Availability for 20-30 hours per week

• Comfortable with NDA and confidentiality requirements

Essential qualifications:

• Master's or PhD in Linguistics, Phonetics, or related field

• Expert knowledge of International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)

• Proven experience with acoustic analysis software (Praat, ELAN)

• Strong background in phonetic transcription and spectrogram interpretation

• Experience with time-aligned annotation workflows

• Native or near-native English proficiency

• Additional language skills (Japanese, Mandarin, Korean, Spanish preferred)

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience with speech synthesis or voice technology projects

• Understanding of vocal techniques and singing styles

• Background in computational linguistics or audio signal processing

• Previous work with AI training data annotation

• Research experience in acoustic phonetics or speech science