Doctoral student in Applied Mathematics with a focus on Computer Vision

Description of the workplace

The positions will be placed at the Division of Computer Vision and Machine Learning (CVML) at the Centre for Mathematical Sciences. The Centre for Mathematical Sciences is a department affiliated with both the Faculty of Engineering (LTH) and the Faculty of Science at Lund University. Within CVML there are several senior researchers and approximately 20 PhD students. Research in the field began in the mid-1980s and currently encompasses (i) Geometry and computer vision (including analysis of video, audio, radio, and radar signals), (ii) Medical image analysis, and (iii) Machine learning/artificial intelligence. The group boasts extensive experience in fundamental research within computer vision, machine learning and artificial intelligence, as well as a track record of translating such findings into practical applications for end-users.

The position is within a project connected to ELLIIT. ELLIIT is a strategic research environment funded by the Swedish government in 2010, as part of its initiative to support strong research in information technology and mobile communications.  ELLIIT has four partners: Linköping University, Lund University, Halmstad University and Blekinge Institute of Technology.   ELLIIT constitutes a platform for both fundamental and applied research, and for cross-fertilization between disciplines and between academic researchers and industry experts. ELLIIT stands out by the quality and visibility of its publications, and its ability to attract and retain top researchers, and aims at being recognized as a top international research organization. ELLIIT achieves its goals by a judicious choice of funded focus projects, a structured process for international recruitment, a balanced way of stimulating cooperation between research areas and between the sites involved (LiU, LU, BTH, HH), and a proactive approach towards fostering and maintaining cooperation with Swedish industry. The overarching objective of ELLIIT is to support scientific excellence in combination with industrial relevance and impact. For more information see: https://elliit.se

Subject description

The research subject for the current call is mathematics with a focus on computer vision and machine learning. The announced position is within the project ” RADICAL – A Novel Framework for Radar and Image Calibration”.

Over the last years we have seen a renewed interest in radar applications, especially in combination with camera data. One of the attractive points of this combination is the sensors’ complementary nature and failure modes. Cameras and lidars suffer from severe degradation in harsh environments, with snow and rain. With longer wavelengths, radars can penetrate through rain and snow to a larger extent. Radars are also installed on various mobile platforms in the desire to reduce the sensor payload, giving them larger roles in applications where cameras are traditionally used, within e.g. autonomous vehicles, robotics and surveillance. In this project we will target the problem of automatic joint calibration of a system of radar sensors and cameras. This involves everything from performing relevant signal processing, extracting features, modelling the geometry to developing robust optimization and estimation algorithms, The work will be done using modern methods in mathematical modelling, optimization and machine learning. For more informaiton, please see: https://elliit.se/project/radical-a-novel-framework-for-radar-and-image-calibration/

The thesis work in the project will include the development of new methods, theoretical analysis, algorithm design, planning and execution of experiments, data collection, writing scientific articles, and presenting the results at international conferences.

Work duties

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties will also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

The work duties include:

• Work in research projects, including writing articles, traveling to conferences, and participating in seminars.
• Taking doctoral courses, which can be local, national, and international.
• Teaching through lab supervision, exercise leadership, and grading assignments and exams.

Admission requirements

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if he or she:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad

A person meets the specific admission requirements if he or she has:

• at least 90 credits of relevance to the subject area, of which at least 60 credits are from the second cycle and include a specialised project of at least 15 credits in the field, or
• a second-cycle degree in a relevant field

In practice this means that the student should have achieved a level of knowledge in mathematics that corresponds to that of a Master of Science programs in engineering mathematics or engineering physics or a master’s degree in mathematics or applied mathematics.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following:

Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems. Written and oral communication skills. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.

Other assessment criteria:

• A project-relevant master's thesis.
• Good programming skills in Matlab, Python or C++.
• Skills in Computer Vision, Image Analysis, Signal Processing, and Machine Learning relevant for the project.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme.
Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University.

Terms of employment

Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

How to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, grade transcripts and other documents you wish to be considered (contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

Welcome to apply!