[visionlist] [Jobs] Two Fully Funded PhD Positions in Underwater Robotic Imaging in Sydney, Australia

[Donald Dansereau]

The Robotic Imaging Lab at the University of Sydney has two fully funded
PhD positions open in underwater robotic imaging, as part of the new
Australian Robotic Inspection and Asset Management research hub, ARIAM.

Applicants with a strong background in Mechatronic Engineering, Electrical
and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Machine Learning, or similar
programs are encouraged to apply.

This project aims to develop new visual sensing approaches to enable
next-generation performance in deployed underwater systems. The work will
focus on sensing for our industry partners cutting-edge nimble underwater
robots, improving performance and allowing operation in previously
prohibitive conditions.

The two roles advertised here are part of a larger opportunity that will
hire and bring together tens of PhD students and multiple Postdocs. For
more on ARIAM, our partners, and opportunities to join the hub please visit
https://roboticimaging.org/ and https://ariamhub.com/.

---The challenges---
The project's aims include:

   - Fast-moving, tightly integrated 6-DOF underwater robotic platforms
   that inspect, map, and maintain infrastructure through mid-range and
   close-up operations
   - Murky water, bubbles, debris, low light, motion blur, and low-texture
   surfaces
   - A unique computing architecture and real-time throughput and latency
   requirements

Depending on interest and ability, candidates will investigate one or more
of:

   - New ways of designing and evaluating imaging payloads:
   information-driven, optimisation / learning, and/or simulation-based
   - Adapting computational imaging techniques to make the most of existing
   and emerging sensing technologies, including multi-camera and multi-modal
   sensor payloads and use of emerging technologies in light field, event
   cameras, and coded illumination and exposure
   - Low-level imaging: burst imaging, noise & interference models, learned
   direct raw image processing and/or feature detection
   - Real-time algorithms for high-fidelity 3D reconstruction of close up
   underwater scenes
   - Next-generation neural / implicit / NeRF-like representations, taking
   these underwater to address high-fidelity 3D reconstruction of close-up
   underwater scenes

---Research Environment---
Embedded in the Australian Centre for Field Robotics, the Robotic Imaging
Lab is focused on endowing robots with new ways of seeing their world. From
photons to actions, we employ computational imaging techniques to jointly
consider the optics, low-level vision, and high-level semantic
understanding that ultimately drive autonomous decision making.
The ACFR offers specialised imaging labs and facilities, robotic platforms,
test tanks and robotic field labs across on-campus and nearby off-campus
sites. You will have access to mechanical and electronics workshops and a
pool of technical staff to help realise your research ambitions. The
University of Sydney offers a rich academic setting in a world-class city,
and the ACFR has strong ties to a network of nearby and international
academic and industrial collaborators.

As part of the ARIAM Research Hub you will have access to our university
facilities including the ACFR and Robotic Imaging labs, as well as the
expertise of our academic and industry collaborators. ARIAM has nodes and
world robotics experts at QUT in Brisbane and ANU in Canberra. Our industry
partners have facilities and programs of cutting-edge robotic deployments
in Sydney and around Australia. Key partners for these positions are
Hullbot and Reach Robotics, both headquartered in Sydney. Reach Robotics
are headquartered a short walk from the University of Sydney campus, where
they develop advanced manipulator arm solutions for harsh underwater
environments. Their products enable complex inspection and intervention in
maritime infrastructure management, marine science, autonomous robotics
research applications, and more. Hullbot develops the world's most
sophisticated underwater drone. Their platforms inspect, clean and 3D map
using an agile, small-form-factor robot. Their Facilities include a full
mechanical and electrical workshop office space located on Sydney Harbour,
indoor and outdoor test tank facilities, operational vessel access for
field testing, and multiple field-deployed robotic platforms.

---Offering---
Two fully funded 3.5-year PhD scholarship covering tuition fees and stipend.

Successful candidates will have:

   - A bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline
   - Interest in imaging and robotics research with direct impact in an
   entrepreneurial, dynamic industry
   - Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
   - Creativity, curiosity, and passion
   - Experience with one or more of imaging, computational imaging, image
   processing and/or computer vision
   - Hands-on experience with robotic platforms, ROS, Python, C++, and/or
   deep learning frameworks would also be an asset

Domestic and international applicants are welcome, more details at the
posting website.

---How to Apply---
Application details here: https://roboticimaging.org/Join/AriamPhDs
Deadline: Jan 04, 2023 Midnight (Sydney time)
For all other enquiries, email donald.dansereau at sydney.edu.au
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