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Research Assistant Vacancies (EPICS)

Research Assistants – EPICS

Research Assistants (2) – EPICS

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

Ref. No. 010728: Research Assistant x2 – EPICS

JOB ADVERTISEMENT

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for full-time, research assistant positions. These are initially offered on a fixed-term 24 month contract at the Center for Computational, Cognitive and Connected Imaging (C3I) in the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Galway.

These positions are funded by the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) and are available from December 2024. Successful candidates will join a team of 4-5 researchers working on algorithm development and building data infrastructure for the EPICS (Event-camera based Platform for In Cabin Sensing) project. The project goal is to deliver a privacy aware, low cost, low power, intelligent in cabin neuromorphic sensing platform capable to perform the analytics required for after-market automotive specific applications, such as driver safety enhancement, intelligent insurance, intelligent fleet monitoring, and automotive surveillance.

This appointment is at 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) and is initially a contract research position for 2 years (subject to extension).

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 EPICS project is a collaboration between FotoNation and CameraMatics, two Irish SME’s, with RPO support, and will bring to the market an alternative platform sensing solution based on a new imaging sensor, called neuro-morphic vision sensor combined with an advanced Neural Processing Unit (NPU). This bio-inspired sensor does not provide a conventional image frame or video stream, but instead senses pixel-level changes/events. This camera can detect small local changes and has a much faster response time than conventional video cameras.

The University of Galway/C3I contributions to EPICS are primarily focused on the research elements for building neuromorphic data infrastructure and associated development of novel neural algorithms and methods for analysing the neuromorphic event-stream from these sensors. There is also a work package that will focus on the evaluation of Data Privacy, Security and Ethical Aspects of neuromorphic visions systems. This work package can also include elements of AI Explainability.

Salary: These posts are offered from point 8-15 on the Research Assistant scale, €35,016 - € 42,473 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. Exceptional candidates may be considered for appointment at Research Associate level.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 17:00 (Irish Time) on 15/11/2024. 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 as a member of the EPICS project team. 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 multi-modal imaging (NIR, thermal, event-camera or 60 GHz radars) is an advantage.

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.

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 EPICS research team and assist the team to conduct experiments and evaluate new neural models.

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.

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.

Postdoctoral degree and at least 4 years postdoctoral research experience with relevant project experience; alternatively, at least 10 years of research experience post primary degree with at least 4 of the 10 years being industry research experience

Strong programming background and extensive 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.

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).

Co-authored research publications in recognized peer-reviewed conferences or journals (the candidate is not expected to be lead author).

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 EPICS.

Further Information/Links