PhD in Mathematical and Computer Vision Algorithms for Processing Light-Fields Event-Driven Data

Organisation/Company

IKERLAN

Research Field

Computer science » Other

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)
First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Spain

Application Deadline

30 Jun 2023 - 00:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

To be defined

Job Status

Negotiable

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Background:
At IKERLAN, we are starting a new research line in neuromorphic technology, covering both sensing and processing stages. Initial efforts will be aligned with the Horizon Europe NimbleAI project that brings together 19 leading academic and industry EU/UK partners under the coordination of IKERLAN. NimbleAI will leverage key principles of energy-efficient visual sensing and processing in biological eyes and brains, and harness the latest advances in 3D stacked silicon integration, to create an integral sensing-processing architecture that efficiently and accurately runs computer vision algorithms in resource- and area-constrained endpoint chips.
IKERLAN offers a unique collaborative framework to conduct a PhD that includes fully funded enrollement in a leading university in the field and secondment stages in a key high-tech company. This ensures that the outcome of the thesis is both innovative and realistic in line with the current state of the technology, as well as applicable to real-world industry products in the short- to mid- term.

Research topic:
The candidate will explore and propose novel algorithms to process light-fields using DVS visual event-streams. This is the first time these two technologies are proposed for joint use: Raytrix micro-lense array coupled on a Prophesee DVS sensor . By combining mathematical techniques with computer vision methodologies, the candidate will work on enhancing the extraction of information from event-based data. Namely, the resulting algorithms will aim to improve depth and optical flow estimation, motion tracking, object recognition, and other key tasks in event-based vision. The outcomes of this research will contribute significantly to the field by improving current event-based vision systems and enabling new types of applications. 
The algorithms designed in this thesis will be applied to a physical sensor prototype that is currently being built in the NimbleAI project. More specifically, the algorithms will be prototyped on an FPGA by other members of the team to demonstrate low-latency and energy efficiency, as a prior step towards in-sensor silicon implementation. Hence, the candidate will need to consider hardware particularities imposed by FPGA technology when designing the algorithms, involving continuous interactions with the hardware team.

Applicants for this position should ideally have:
• A Masters degree in Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or equivalent with a background in computer vision and/or machine learning.
• Prior knowledge in optics is a plus.
• Experience in digital or FPGA design is also a plus.
• Team player with strong analytical, interpersonal, communication, and English language skills.

Some more background on IKERLAN and the position:
IKERLAN is a technology research and transfer centre, providing competitive value to customer and partner industry companies. It is the largest research centre within Mondragon Corporation, which itself is the seventh largest business group in Spain with presence in more than 150 countries worldwide. Our cross-technology teams work with different concepts and technologies at different maturity levels and aim at consolidating innovative applications and products with industry value. The PhD candidates will explore novel technology concepts in liason with the research community, conduct early feasibility checks on those concepts, and provide feedback and guidance to the engineering teams to ultimately create transferrable IP based on those concepts and/or integrate them in new industry products.

How to Apply:
Applications consisting of a cover letter, curriculum vitae and a list of publications (if any), should be sent to xiturbe@ikerlan.es . The positions will be closed immediately after a candidate is identified. Planned starting date is Q2 2023.

Website for additional job details

https://www.hipeac.net/jobs/14192/phd-in-mathematical-and-computer-vision-algor…

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

IKERLAN

Country

Spain

City

Mondragon / Uni TBD

E-mail

xiturbe@ikerlan.es

City

Arrasate-Mondragón

Website

https://www.ikerlan.es/en/
https://twitter.com/IKERLANofficial
https://www.ikerlan.es/en/job-offers
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ikerlan/