Senior Researcher in Sensor Fusion and Active Vision

Ghent University – imec Image Processing and Interpretation Group (IPI)

The Image Processing Group at Ghent University-imec (http://ipi.ugent.be) consists of +/- 40 experienced researchers, post-docs and professors. IPI conducts research in a wide array of both fundamental and applied image processing topics. Application domains of this research include intelligent & autonomous vehicles, surveillance and sensor networks, industrial automation, remote sensing, medical image analysis, video analysis and scene reconstruction.
 

What you will do

Imec IPI is looking for a qualified and motivated senior researcher to work on sensor fusion and active vision. As a (post-doctoral) researcher with IPI, you will be located at the TELIN offices at Campus UFO in Ghent. The research will focus on developing new fundamental concepts for sensor fusion and active sensing and demonstrating in industrially relevant applications (TRL6). You will collaborate with international industrial partners while embedded in a university research team that is internationally recognized for its extensive expertise regarding sensor fusion for autonomous driving, traffic monitoring and industrial safety. The longer-term perspectives include growing into a role of research supervisor, helping to attract new projects, or remaining active in technical research.

Topic 

Many smart mobility and industrial automation applications rely on object detection and tracking. Examples include mobile robots, autonomous vehicles, smart traffic infrastructure, security & surveillance. Sensor fusion is essential for safety-critical systems, both to ensure robustness (through considering redundant information) and accuracy (through considering complementary information).

To really empower machine vision both in terms of accuracy and efficiency, sensor fusion and scene analytics must go beyond passive interpretation of the scene. Sensing and computing power must be directed to where it is most essential for task performance (called active sensing), based on cues from earlier observations or from different sensors. This may be achieved by analytics feeding back information to the sensors, which can then, for example, adjust their sensitivity, field of view, resolution or power setting to this information. This feedback will require the development of novel, flexible AI architectures that combine the power of deep learning with a high degree of reconfigurability and adaptability to changing sensor dynamics.

In your research, you will explore these active sensing concepts both for current sensor fusion systems and for next-generation steerable sensors, the design of which you will shape through cooperation with leading industrial partners and innovation hubs.

What we do for you

At IPI, we offer you the opportunity to conduct research in a highly international and friendly working environment. We provide ample opportunity for researchers to take initiative in their work and to develop their professional networks. 

The salary is competitive and will be determined by salary scales corresponding to your education, experience, and qualifications, with room for growth based on performance.  Staff members can count on a number of benefits, such as a broad range of training and educational opportunities, 36 days of vacation leave (on an annual basis for a full-time position), meal checks, and more. 

The IPI Lab is location on the university’s UFO campus in the center of Ghent, Belgium, a city recently rated as one of the best places to visit in Europe for culture (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/ghent-belgiums-best-kept-secret).

Who you are

• You have recently obtained a PhD or are close to obtaining one in computer science, electrical engineering and/or you have several years of expertise in sensor fusion, computer vision or related research and experience with collaborating with industry. A strong background knowledge of the fundamental theory underlying sensor fusion, computer vision, or related topics (including the mathematical and probability theory related aspects) – as evidenced through publications or other research achievements - is important.  
• Programming experience in Python and/or C++ is a plus. Experience with original algorithm design that goes beyond the mere application of methods from literature is important.
• You are fluent in written and oral English and able to communicate your original ideas and results clearly and concisely.
• You have the capability and mindset to flexibly adapt your research to new application challenges and are eager to learn about new topics. You have a strong vision to propose novel solutions to such challenges as well as the technical skills to develop and implement them. 
• If you do not fully meet the above requirements yet, but are capable of developing the missing skills, you may still qualify. You can learn on the job.

Interested?

Please submit your application by email to Prof. Wilfried Philips at Wilfried.philips@ugent.be and Dr. David Van Hamme at david.vanhamme@ugent.be.

In your email, please include the following:

• A cover letter with a brief motivation of your application: what do you consider the best aspects of your CV that demonstrate your academic excellence during your education and after obtaining your degree. Why would you like to work at UGent?
• A detailed CV, describing your earlier experience and studies;
• A list of publications and/or research projects you have actively participated in, with a description of your role and contribution;
• A transcript of your educational record (list of courses per year, number of obtained credits, obtained marks) if available. This need not be official documentation at this stage;
• If available: 1-3 English language documents describing your earlier research or technical work (e.g., scientific papers, master thesis, report on project work, etc.). These documents need not be on the topic of the advertised position.

Applications remain welcome until the position is filled.