PhD student in Visualization and Media Technology with a focus on Immersive Visualization

Skilled and committed employees are a crucial factor in the success of Linköping University. And we need more of them. Our core expertise comes from teachers and researchers, but a successful university requires experienced and motivated employees in many fields. Everyone is important. We need to recruit many new employees thanks to, among all, an expansion in our research activity. We need you here. We look forward to receiving your application!

At the Department of Science and Technology, at the university’s Norrköping campus, we provide education and conduct research in physics and electronics, communications/logistics and media- and information technology. The department is recognised for its work in fields including logistics, visualisation and organic electronics. We combine academic excellence with fruitful collaboration with the Community.
Read more at https://liu.se/en/organisation/liu/itn

The division of Media and Information Technology (MIT) and the Visualization Center C hosts activities in visualization and computer graphics that span cutting edge research and collaborations with industry. Within the group Immersive Visualization, we drive research and development in several application domains where we use various immersive technologies, ranging from large-scale dome projection systems to head-mounted display systems and multi-touch tables for interactive visualization and analysis.

This PhD position is part of the joint project, within the ELLIIT Research program, between Linköping University and Lund University: Real-Time Realistic Pixel Synthesis using Deep Learning for Augmented and Virtual Reality. Our goal is to develop novel methods for realistic image synthesis with high-fidelity to real-world structures. We specifically seek to bridge the gap between large-scale structures, acquired through aerial- and drone-based photogrammetry, and close-up details such as building facades, city environments, etc. that provides sufficient detail at human scale in Virtual Reality applications. By combining captured image data with meta data from databases and exploiting high-quality models and textures we seek to explore a hybrid rule based and deep learning approach to support delivering realistic images to VR and AR users in real-time applications.
https://elliit.se/?project=real-time-realistic-pixel-synthesis-using-deep-learning-for-augmented-and-virtual-reality

Your work assignments
This PhD position is focusing on models and frameworks that can produce high-quality photorealistic imagery to ensure a high level of immersion in AR and VR applications that are authentic to real-world environments at the macro-scale but must exploit synthesized details at the huma scale (millimeter to centimeter range). The intended path is to explore and develop Deep Learning approaches using macro-scale photogrammetry data along with structural GIS-data and meta-data where we also exploit the growing libraries of real-world high-quality assets, such as Quixel Megascans and special purpose libraries of assets (materials, textures, meshes).

There will be two parts of the project where you will focus, the first being the deep learning techniques and offline processing to generate synthesized asset or parameters for real-time synthesis of assets (materials, textures, meshes). The second part is the real-time rendering techniques involved to exploit the generated assets/parameters for realistic immersive visualization using Unreal Engine 4/5.

As a doctoral student, you devote most of your time to doctoral studies and the research projects of which you are part. Your work may also include teaching or other departmental duties, up to a maximum of 20% of full-time.

Your workplace
As a member of the division of Media and Information Technology, LiU’s representation within the Visualization Center C consortium, you will also be exposed to the center’s other partnering organizations such as the public science exhibition and dome content production unit. The center works closely with other science centers and governmental agencies such as LFV and SMHI as part of larger strategic development and research projects. In addition, there are many ongoing collaborations with industry and we contribute with research and consultation in visualization and computer graphics. We are also the main hub for the Wisdome where we develop content for domes and exhibits at science centers.

Your qualifications
You have graduated at Master’s level in Computer Science/Computer Graphics or completed courses with a minimum of 240 credits, at least 60 of which must be in advanced courses. You have passion and interest in interactive visualization and techniques for realistic real-time rendering. You need to have experience with basic real-time rendering techniques and concepts such as rendering pipelines with shaders and texturing. You have experience from software development using C++ and Python (optional), Ideally you have C++ and Blueprint scripting experience in Unreal Engine 4 and used it for VR applications.

Formal Requirements:

·        Master’s degree or equivalent in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or similar related
field.

·        Fluent in spoken and written English (minimum proficiency level is B2, C1 is preferred)

·        No PhD degree.

Technical proficiency:

Documented experience and knowledge in any of the following topics will be counted as a merit in the application for this position.

·        Documented experience in computer graphics and real-time rendering.

·        Experience in software development, primarily in C++ and Python (HLSL/GLSL is a merit).

·        Experience in development with Unreal Engine 4/5 is considered a merit but is not required.

·        Experience in VR/AR devices is considered a merit but is not required.

·        Experience in machine learning is considered a merit but is not required.

Prior research and publication experience is considered a merit but is not required.

Terms of employment
When taking up the post, you will be admitted to the program for doctoral studies. More information about the doctoral studies at each faculty is available at.

The employment has a duration of four years’ full-time equivalent. You will initially be employed for a period of one year. The employment will subsequently be renewed for periods of maximum duration two years, depending on your progress through the study plan. The employment may be extended up to a maximum of five years, based on the amount of teaching and departmental duties you have carried out. Further extensions can be granted in special circumstances.

Starting date
As soon as possible, jointly decided, preferably during September-October 2021

Salary and employment benefits
The salary of doctoral students is determined according to a locally negotiated salary progression.

More information about employment benefits at Linköping University is available here.

Union representatives
Information about union representatives, see Help for applicants .

Application procedure
Apply for the position by clicking the “Apply” button below. Your application must be received at latest August 30, 2021.

Applications and documents received after the date above will not be considered.

Linköping University will continue to develop as an attractive and creative place of work, characterized by equal terms and actively works for equality and diversity.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Linköping university has framework agreements and wishes to decline direct contacts from staffing- and recruitment companies as well as from vendors of job advertisements.

Contact persons

URL to this pagehttps://liu.se/en/work-at-liu/vacancies?rmpage=job&rmjob=16969&rmlang=UK