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Postdoctoral or Research Associate Vacancies (PRIVI-SENSE)

Research Associate/PostDoctoral Researcher  – PRIVI-SENSE

Research Associate/PostDoctoral Researchers (2)  – PRIVI-SENSE

School of Engineering – Center for Computational, Cognitive & Connected Imaging (C31)

HR Ref. No. 010719: Research Associate/Postdoctoral Researcher x2 - PRIVI-SENSE

 JOB ADVERTISEMENT

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for full-time,  research associate or postdoctoral research positions. These are initially offered on a fixed-term 24 month contract at the University of Galway, with possibility for renewal for a further 12 months.   

This position is funded by the Irish Research Council, Advanced Laureate program and is available from Jan 2025.

The C3I Center is led by the #1 Irish Researcher in the field of Computer Science/Engineering, Prof. Peter Corcoran.  Research at C3I spans a wide range of topics in Computer Vision and Artificial Intelligence. Applications of this research can be found in consumer devices, automotive systems and, most recently smart-toys. Details on recent research are available in the projects and publications sections of the C3I website. The group works with industry to apply state-of-art Edge-AI solutions, develop improved training methodologies and prove the validity and evaluate the performance of emerging data-synthesis techniques. 

 The PRIVI-SENSE project is investigating novel combinations of multimodal imaging – near-Infrared (NIR), thermal-Infrared (LWIR) and neuro-morphic (event-camera) imaging technologies processed by AI networks, to infer actions or detect subtle thermal or biometric events related to a human subject. The combination of AI with multi-modal imaging of a scene/subject enables subtle understanding and sensing without creating images or video of a human subject that might accidently violate their data privacy. The core goal is to demonstrate the feasibility to process and analyse imaging data locally to better sense and understand how to interact with the human subject while avoiding the creation of of video/image data and the need to upload store and process such data in the cloud.

 Salary: These posts are offered from point 1-5 on the Research Associate/Postdoc scale. €45,925- €53,373 per annum, and pro rata for shorter and/or part-time contracts. The offer will be dependent on the candidates experience and suitability for the post. Recently graduated PhD candidates enter at point 1 of the scale. Experienced candidates may be considered for appointment at P3-P5 on this scale depending on their research experience.  

 Closing date for receipt of applications is 17:00 (Irish Time) on 10/11/2024. Interviews are planned for mid/end November. (Applications may be considered after this closing date if the positions are not filled – status will be updated on the C3I website.)

 

JOB DESCRIPTION

The successful candidates will work on one of two core research topics/workpackages within the PRIVI-SENSE project.

  • Facial analysis, will include research into multi-modal sensing of faces for user authentication and sensing of facial expressions and motions. (Postdoc/RA #1)
  • Human Activity analysis will encompass research into multi-modal sensing of human activities with as focus on indoor environments. (Postdoc/RA #2)

Research activities will be determined within the project team and under guidance from a Research Fellow and Post-Doctoral researcher working on the project. A background in deep learning and neural network models is essential with some experience in working with   

Successful candidates will perform training of a range of advanced neural models and execute a range of performance testing on these models. Some generation and both manual and automated annotation of synthetic data samples will comprise part of this activity. Experience with deep learning frameworks such as Pytorch and TensorFlow is essential. A background in computer vision or equivalent advanced signal processing with neural network models is essential. Some experience in technical report writing and/or drafting of research papers is also essential. Candidates are expected to have near native fluency in the English language.

When applying candidates should clearly indicate if their background and experience is better aligned with Postdoc/RA #1 or #2.

Duties: The successful candidates will perform the following activities.

  • Conduct literature and database searches and interpret and present the findings of the literature searches to the team as appropriate.
  • Actively participate as a member of the PRIVI-SENSE research team and assist the team to conduct experiments and evaluate new neural models as directed by PI/project leader.
  • Write up results from their research activity (e.g. as periodic project reports) for review by PI, including preparing technical reports, conclusions and recommendations.
  • Contribute to the publication of findings.
  • Provide input into the research project’s dissemination, in whatever form (report, papers, chapters, book) as directed by the PI/project leader.
  • Mentor and assist, as appropriate and as directed by the PI/project leader, the research graduate students in the C3I group assigned to PRIVI-SENSE.
  • May act as co-supervisor or be a member of a supervisory panel and mentor foreign students within the group.
  • Contribute to teaching /tutoring/mentoring in the School of Engineering under the supervision of a fulltime academic member of the School
  • Develop their own career reputation and career development
  • Any other duties assigned commensurate to this level of post

 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Essential Requirements:

  • Primary degree in Electronic Engineering, Computer Science or Mathematics.
  • Research Masters degree (2 year, 120 ECTS) with at least 3 additional years of research experience in industry or a research lab, or a PhD degree with relevant project experience.
  • Strong programming background with experience working with deep learning frameworks such as Pytorch or TensorFlow.
  • Project level experience with computer vision or equivalent advanced signal processing, based on neural network models.
  • Some experience of working in a team environment with mentoring experience of more junior researchers or interns.
  • First-author research publications in recognized peer-reviewed conferences or journals.
  • Good fluency in technical English, both spoken and written.

Desirable Requirements:

  • Project or work experience with advanced neural networking techniques or architectures (autoencoders, GANs, Transformers, Diffusion models, Model fine-tuning, Ablation Studies, Spiking NNs, etc).
  • Data Analytics experience, in particular with building, annotating or cleaning of research datasets for computer vision, advanced signal analysis or equivalent.
  • Project/research experience in multi-modal imaging or equivalent (NIR, thermal, LWIR, event-camera, 60 GHz radar or 3D lidar sensing/imaging).
  • Relevant experience with embedded systems or devices such as Raspberry PI, Jetson Nano or equivalent (ideally computer vision or signal processing based project work on such systems).
  • Experience with generative data techniques.

 

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Researchers at University of Galway are encouraged to avail of a range of training and development opportunities designed to support their personal career development plans. University of Galway provides continuing professional development supports for all researchers seeking to build their own career pathways either within or beyond academia.  Researchers are encouraged to engage with our Researcher Development Centre (RDC) upon commencing employment - see HERE for further information. Exceptional candidates may be offered the opportunity to register for PhD studies based on the research work undertaken as part of PRIVI-SENSE.

Further Information/Links