PhD Positions in Color Content-Aware Image Processing:France

Introduction :
Image retrieval consists in finding among a database of target images those which represent the same scene as this represented by a query image. In this context, the key-point is the extraction of efficient descriptors from the images. Several recent studies have shown that color histograms can be very efficient in this context. However, color histograms do not take into account the spatial arrangement of colors and are very sensitive to illumination changes. Several authors have shown that the spatial organization of colors could significantly improve the performance of the image classifiers. Some spatial descriptors, such as color correlograms, may be used to represent in a global way the spatial arrangement of colors in the image, but they are sensitive to object occlusion and scale variation and are not designed to recognize objects in cluttered scenes. In very recent works, few searchers propose to extract local descriptors such as SIFT or SURF which have been proven to be more robust to local features. The SURF outperform the SIFT and are less time consuming. However, the SURF are not yet designed to work on color images.

Objectives:
The aim of this thesis is to extend the SURF to: (a) color information, (b) interest point detection and (c) local description. The interest points detected by the SURF approach result from the analysis of the intensity function discontinuities. However, it has been shown that, in the context of fast object recognition, the human visual system is attracted by regions characterized by high visual saliency and that these visual attention regions are not necessarily regions characterized by intensity function discontinuities. On the other hand, we propose to detect interest points by exploiting the color visual saliency in the images. Previous works done in our lab. will be used in this context.Furthermore, the SURF descriptors are based on specific local intensity gradients. Since color descriptors are more distinctive than gray level ones, we propose to determine new local color descriptors that are invariant to illumination changes. Previous works done in our lab. will be used in this context.

Candidacy:
We seek strong and motivated candidates. Selection will be based on:

1. Excellence of the candidate: outstanding achievement in the applicant’s Master of Science degree level in imaging science, computer science, or any discipline pertaining to the quantitative description of image processing, provided that the applicant can provide evidence of the necessary previous knowledge (i.e. a base of minimal competencies) particularly in the fields of computer science fundamentals, and image analysis and signal processing fundamentals.

2. Language ability: the candidates must demonstrate sound knowledge of the language (the requirement for competence in English is equivalent to TOEFL with at least 213 points (computer based)/550 points (paper based) or IELTS at grade 6.5. Knowledge of French will be not compulsory, but will be beneficial.

3. Student motivation to undertake the PhD and relevance to his/her professional development (explaining the application, the present situation, the interest in the PhD degree, the intentions after this PhD degree, …).

The application deadline is June 1, 2008

To receive the application form and/or to get more information please contact :
Alain TREMEAU, Alain.Tremeau@univ-st-etienne.fr

Norway: PhD Research Fellow in Mathematics, The University of Bergen

At the Department of Mathematics, University of Bergen or SINTEF ICT, Oslo, a 3-year position as Research Fellow (PhD position) is available within the project:

Geological Storage of CO2: Mathematical Modelling and Risk Analysis.

The fellowship is financed by the Research Council of Norway, StatoilHydro and Shell. Work location will be either at the University of Bergen or at SINTEF ICT in Oslo.

The project is a cooperation between research groups at the University of Bergen and SINTEF ICT in Oslo. The candidate will participate in an international research network devoted to the development of analytical and numerical tools to be used in risk assessment analysis of geological storage of CO2. The candidate will in particular focus on the development of streamline methods for simulating CO2 injection. We seek a candidate with background from some of the fields: numerical analysis and programming, differential equations, and reservoir modelling and simulation. More information about the project is found at http://www.math.sintef.no/matmora.

The research fellow must take part in the Universitys approved PhD programme leading to the degree within a time limit of 3 years. Application for admission to the PhD programme, including a project plan outline for the training module, will be worked out in collaboration with the research group in question.

The fellowship period may be reduced if the successful applicant has held previous employment as research fellow.

Applicants must have achieved a masters degree in applied and computational mathematics, reservoir modelling or related areas, or have submitted their master thesis for assessment by the application deadline. It is a prerequisite, however, that the formal admission requirements for the PhD programme are met before appointment can be made.

Starting salaries at salary level 43 (code 1017) on the government salary scale; currently corresponding to gross NOK 325,800 per year; following ordinary meriting regulations. (range 43/47).

Application
For further information about the positions please contact Professor Helge K. Dahle (UiB), phone +47 55585648, fax: +47 55589672, e-mail helge.dahle[ at ]math.uib.no or Chief Scientist Knut-Andreas Lie (SINTEF ICT), phone +47 22067710, e-mail Knut-Andreas.Lie@sintef.no

Women in particular are invited to apply. If, in the opinion of the evaluation committee, several applicants have approximately equivalent qualifications, the rules on equal opportunities laid down in the Personnel Regulations for Academic Positions will be applied.

State employment shall reflect the multiplicity of the population at large to the highest possible degree. The University of Bergen has therefore adopted a personnel policy objective to ensure that we achieve a balanced age and sex composition and the recruitment of persons of various ethnic backgrounds. Persons of different ethnic backgrounds are therefore encouraged to apply for the position.

The University of Bergen applies the principles of public openness when recruiting staff to scientific positions. The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at any time.

The application must include a complete overview of education and professional activities (CV), scanned copies of diplomas and transcripts, publications, a list of publications and other scientific works, and contact details of two or three referees, and should be sent to post@cipr.uib.no

Closing date for applications: 6 June 2008. Quote reference number: Matmora 08/5618

UK: PhD Studentship in Bioproduction, Newcastle University

An EPSRC DTA PhD studentship is available within the Centre for Process Analytics and Control Technology in the School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials to carry out research in the area of data analysis and predictive modeling as part of a European Integrated Research Project developing new technologies for the bio-production of renewable materials (bio-materials).

The successful candidates will join the School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials which has internationally acknowledged multi-disciplinary research teams. The research will be carried out with the process intensification and CPACT research groups.

Person Specification
Candidates should have a first-class or upper-second-class Honours degree, or equivalent, in chemical engineering or a related subject, be able to demonstrate good communication skills and be willing to work for periods of time with collaborating companies and universities across Europe. Due to funding criteria, only students from the UK and EU are eligible for this studentship.

How to apply
To apply for this studentship please complete the Universitys online postgraduate application form (www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply) selecting PhD School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials Chemical Engineering as your programme of study and quoting the reference number CE008 and studentship title PhD Studentship Bioproduction.

Further Information
Informal enquiries can be made through Mrs. Angela Bott, Secretary, Centre for Process Analytics and Control Technology, Merz Court, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK. Tel: +44 191 222 5785; Fax: +44 191 222 5748; e-mail: a.m.bott@ncl.ac.uk

Further details can be obtained from Dr Jie Zhang (jie.zhang@ncl.ac.uk) or Professor Julian Morris (julian.morris@ncl.ac.uk).

Closing date for applications is 31st July 2008.

Italy: PhD Scholarships in Economics, Università Ca’ Foscari di Venezia

The Advanced School of Economics (in Italian: Scuola Superiore di Economia, or SSE for short) runs two doctoral programs:one in Economics and one in Business.

The Doctoral Program in Economics (DEC) and the Doctoral Program in Business (DEA) emanate from the Department of Economics and the Department of Business Management at the University of Venice. The School coordinates these two programs, that share several first-year courses and a common philosophy. Since 2008, the School has taken over over the activities of a third doctoral program in Economics and Organisation that used to be run as part of the School for Advanced Studies in Venice.

The School is based in Venice and offers only courses at a doctoral level. The official language is English. The current Director is Agar Brugiavini.

DEC: Application 2008
The deadline for applying to DEC is May 20, 2008. Notice of admission for DEC will be given by June 9, 2008. Classes start on September 1, 2008.

DEC will admit up to ten students, seven of which will be fully financed (including tuition fees and living stipend). One position in DEC will be preferentially assigned to students with an interest in Mathematical Methods for Economics. The School provides subsidized housing to all first-year students.

Admission is based on the evaluation of applicants’ curriculum, research interests, and reference letters. Applications must include a curriculum vitae, a statement of purpose (covering research interests) and three letters of reference (one of which should also vouch for the candidate’s adequate knowledge of the English language). If available, any published work or working paper should also be included. Enclosing GRE and TOEFL results is highly recommended, but not (yet) required. Documentation should be submitted in English (preferably) or Italian language.

An application to DEC must abide by the statute of the “Bando” (Official Advert) as officially published online by the University of Venice. (This direct link may expire after May 20, 2008.) The official version of the Bando is available from the website of the University of Venice following the path Offerta Formativa -> Dottorato di Ricerca -> Scuola Superiore di Economia - SSE. You can also download a copy of the Bando using these links.

For more information about applications to DEC, please contact Marta Colombini (martacol@unive.it; tel.: +39-041-234-7963).

UK:Rural Tourism Studies for MPhil/PhD in University of central

Rural Tourism Studies for MPhil/PhD in University of central Lancashire United Kingdom

Full-time MPhil/PhD funded studentship

The studentship will cover the cost of tuition fees at UK/EU and Overseas rates plus a maintenance based grant (currently £12,600 per annum). The studentship is tenable up to 3 years (subject to satisfactory progress) with an expected commencement date of 1 July 2008.

This project critically appraises the nature and extent of the entrepreneurial skills, activities and needs of farmers as providers of rural tourism products and experiences, locating the analysis within contemporary rural development and diversification policies. Its purpose is to develop a model of successful entrepreneurship skills and strategies for farm diversification into tourism as a basis for developing appropriate rural development and diversification policies.


Applicants are required to submit a two-page outline research proposal for their research degree, AND a sample of their written work taken from their previous higher education. (eg chapter from dissertation, or essay) along with their completed application form

Applicants should have, or expect to receive, an upper second class or first class honours degree or an MSc in a related discipline.

Informal enquiries (project related) may be directed to Professor Richard Sharpley (+44 01772 894622, or email rajsharpley@uclan.ac.uk)

Requests for an application pack (quoting the reference number RS/07/18) should be directed to the Graduate Research Office. Tel +44 (0)1772 894287 or e-mail researchdegrees@uclan.ac.uk

End Date: 16th May 2008