PostDoc & PhD Positions in Computer Vision at the University of Freiburg, Germany

The Pattern Recognition and Image Processing Group headed by Prof. Thomas Brox has openings for PostDoc and PhD positions in Computer Vision. We are seeking applicants with a strong interest in performing cutting edge research in this very active and exciting research area.

Successful candidates will join a young and dynamic research group pursuing research that has strong impact in the field. The group’s core research areas are video analysis and learning from video. You will work on recognition, structure-from-motion, or motion segmentation, but especially PostDoc candidates are encouraged to also build upon their previous research experience and may work on related computer vision or machine learning topics of their interest.

The open positions are fully funded with a salary according to TVL13 (approximately 38k-45k Euro or $46k-$54k depending on proficiency). The PhD positions come with direct supervision by the professor and support to enable completion of the thesis within 3 years. Funding for up to 2 more years is available. PostDocs will be mentored to build up their own academic career.

The University of Freiburg is one of the nine top universities in Germany, with the Pattern Recognition and Image Processing Group being directly involved in the bioss cluster of excellence. The Department of Computer Science hosts many top scientists, among them renowned experts in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. Freiburg, the warmest spot in Germany, is located in the very southwest, and is less than 30 minutes away from both France and Switzerland. It is situated at the foot of the Schwarzwald and is close to the Alps with many possibilities for recreational activities.

Ideal candidates should have an excellent degree (M.Sc. or equivalent for the PhD position; PhD for the PostDoc position) in Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field. They should have a strong mathematical background, solid programming experience in C++ and ideally Matlab. Above all, they must have a strong motivation, interest for detailed analysis, and a distinct desire to learn. Prior experience in computer vision or machine learning is advantageous and required for the PostDoc position. The PostDoc position also requires a strong track record consisting of at least one publication at ICCV, ECCV, CVPR, NIPS, or ICML. Fluency in English is required (both written and spoken).

The University of Freiburg aims to increase the presence of women amongst its scientists, and qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Physically challenged candidates with similar qualifications will be given special consideration.

If you are interested, please send your complete application until August 15, 2010 by e-mail (see detailed instructions below). If you will be a participant of ECCV, please contact Thomas Brox to arrange a personal meeting at the conference.

E-Mail:

Homepage of Thomas Brox (currently still at U.C. Berkeley)

Department of Computer Science, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg

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Detailed instructions for applicants

Your application must comprise:

1. Motivation letter
Your 2-3 page letter of motivation should contain the following details (not necessarily in this order):
a) What is your background? In which fields have you studied/worked before and how do you think this can be useful for the present job?
b) What attracts you to the field of computer vision?
c) Which problem(s) in computer vision are you most interested in? Pick one and describe some coarse ideas how you would approach the problem.
d) Which skills, what personality do you think can you contribute to the group? What kind of person are you (e.g. creative, analytic, communicative, pragmatic, etc.) and what kind of work do you like most? We prefer to fill the positions with different personalities, so be as honest as possible.
e) Why do you wish to continue your career as a PhD student/Postdoc?
You may add other details to your motivation letter if you find them important.

2. Curriculum Vitae
Send a classical tabular CV with your contact details, your date-of-birth, a current photograph, and all stages of education and employment. Begin and end dates should be month-accurate.

3. List of skills, awards, publications, hobbies
List your skills, especially proficiency in languages (including the level of proficiency), that you think might be useful for the job. Also list any awards you might have got or papers you might have published already. You may also mention hobbies if you like.

4. Score records
Send copies of all your degrees and score records. If scores are neither compatible with the German nor the US system, give indication how your scores can be translated into one of these systems or give evidence in which quantile of all graduates you are at your school.

5. Contact details of at least two academic references
If possible, please contact the references prior to listing their names. Sort them with the person who knows you best ranked first and give indication how each person is related to you. Try to select references who have supervised you while doing research (some project work, graduation thesis, etc.). Postdoc candidates must include their PhD advisor(s).

Your application can be in English or German. Please choose the language you are more familiar with.

Please send your application by e-mail only!

All documents must be in PDF format and must not be compressed. If possible, combine all documents to a single PDF file.

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Sato International Scholarship Foundatio

The Sato International Scholarship Foundation grants two types of scholarship for self-supporting students from ASEAN countries as well as Southwest Asian countries enrolled in a Japanese undergraduate or graduate institution:
        1. Scholarship for Self-Supporting Students
        2. Scholarship for Short-Term Exchange Students.
Students from the Following Countries are Eligible to Apply

Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, East Timor, Vietnam.
Scholarship for Self-Supporting Students

The applicant must be residing in Japan, enrolled in or accepted to a legitimate program.  Please apply through the students’ office of your university.
Amount of Scholarship
Undergraduate students
 120,000 yen/month
Graduate students
   
180,000 yen/month
 plus additional support to cover cost for attending conferences
Duration of Scholarship

2 years
Number of Scholarships Granted

Around 10 students will be accepted.
Eligibility

The applicant must be a citizen from the aforesaid countries, who does not hold Japanese citizenship and must be enrolled in a Japanese undergraduate or graduate institution, under the jurisdiction of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

The applicant must also fulfill the following requirements:

1.  Have interest in promoting international understanding and friendship, and is able to attend SISF meetings (meetings are held 6 times/year).  
2. Does not receive any sort of scholarship or funding from other parties. 
3. Holds legal residence status as a college student. 
4. Does not have a parent employed in Japan. 
5. Does not hold a doctorate degree. 
6. Is enrolled in a program with more than 1 year left until graduation/completion (from April 2011). This restriction does not apply to doctorate program. 
7.Have good communication skill in Japanese.
Selection Process

Selected by screening committee

1.    First round of selection:  review of application form and documents
2.    Second round of selection:  interview
Past Record of No. of Application / Actual Grants
Year    No. Applicants    No. Grantees
Total    Undergraduate    Graduate    Total    Undergraduate    Graduate
2001     362    132    230    23    12    11
2002     303    111    192    22    9    13
2003     350    118    232    20    9    11
2004     362    129    233    20    10    10
2005    274    97    177    15    5    10
2006     266    90    176    28    8    20
2007     322    106    216    26    8    18
2008     309    96    213    27    7    20
2009     294    86    208    23    6    17
2010     386    155    231    13    4    9
Scholarship for Short-Term Exchange Students

This scholarship is provided to students who are recommended by those designated universities that have secured an agreement of recommendation with the Sato International Scholarship Foundation.  Scholarship as well as travel fee to Japan is provided to those students from the aforesaid countries who will study in Japan on a short term based on the agreement among universities for study exchange.
Amount of Scholarship

100,000 yen/month
Duration of Scholarship

Over 6 months, up to 10 months; however scholarship terminates upon completion of the program.
Designated Universities as of September 2009


The University of Electro-Communications, University of Tokyo, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Tokyo Institute of Technology, University of Tsukuba, J.F. Oberlin University, Rikkyo University.

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PhD Studentship - Optical Measurement of Precision Surfaces

Loughborough University - Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

A postgraduate studentship is available to investigate new methods to increase the capability of optical interferometry and to introduce new levels of traceability in the measurement of precision engineering surfaces.
With the lateral resolution of a few micrometres and an axial resolution of a few nanometres interferometery is becoming an increasingly popular means to characterise engineering surfaces. As a non-contacting technique, commercial interferometers make an indirect estimate of surface form deduced from measurements of the light scattered from the surface. Due to the complex interaction between light and rough surfaces anomalous behaviour can occur and, for this reason, traditional contacting methods making more direct measurements using stylus-based instrumentation remain the basis of international (ISO) surface standards. The purpose of this project is to develop optimisation strategies based on new, more sophisticated surface scattering models to increase measurement capability and to estimate uncertainty in optical interferometers.
The project is sponsored by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and Taylor Hobson Ltd. It is expected that the student will spend some time at one or both of the industrial partners' premises.
A first degree (First class or High 2:1 honours) in the physical sciences or mathematics is required and an interest in optics would be an advantage. Strong analysis skills and proficiency in numerical computing are essential and experience of optimisation techniques would be an advantage.
The preferred starting dates are 1 October 2010 or 1 December 2010 and the studentship will have a stipend of £8,000-£11,500 per annum, tax free, plus tuition fees.  This studentship is open to UK/EU and international students.
To apply for this post on-line, please visit Loughborough University's website at: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/mm/post-graduate/by-research/index.html.
Please quote reference JMC270710 on all correspondence.
Date posted: 29 July 2010
Closing date: 3 September 2010
If you have problems downloading documents, please contact:
Ms Jo Mason, Research Administrator
Email: j.r.mason@lboro.ac.uk
For additional technical information, please contact:
Prof Jeremy Coupland
Email: j.m.coupland@lboro.ac.uk

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