UK: EngD Scholarship Computer Science at University College London

Applications are invited for an Engineering Doctorate (EngD) in the Department of Computer Science at University College London (UCL) in conjunction with Framestore (the largest visual effects and computer animation company in Europe). This is a 4-year studentship, leading to the award of an EngD Degree, which offers the opportunity to conduct research within an industrial context. This EPSRC funded studentship is available to UK citizens and EU nationals if a relevant connection with the UK has been established (ordinarily, by being resident for a period of three years immediately before the date of application). Applicants must fulfil EPSRC eligibility criteria and the normal academic requirements for admission to study in the Department. This studentship will pay a tax-free stipend of approximately £18,000 per year, plus tuition fees. EU students without a relevant connection to the UK can receive an award to cover fees only.

The EngD post in this project will be based at both UCL (Bloomsbury) and Framestore (Soho). The post is offered under the Vision Imaging and Virtual Environments Programme, which is run by the Department of Computer Science at UCL.

PROJECT
3D modelling of buildings is a tedious and labour intensive process. The goal of this project is to develop methods for the practical 3D reconstruction of buildings, which enable an artist to quickly reconstruct a building (geometry and texture) from a few photographs.

The research objectives are to:
• Develop methods to construct 3D buildings from photographs and sparse user input.
• Develop methods to ensure high texture quality for relighting.

This research work will involve algorithms development, performance evaluation, and some system integration.

APPLICATIONS
Applicants are required to have
• A bachelor degree (1st or 2.1 honours) or a master degree in Computer Science or a related field;
• Good knowledge of computer graphics and mathematics;
• Strong programming skills, particularly C++, C, and Matlab;
• Good communication and presentation skills.

Informal enquiries on the project can be made to Dr Jan Kautz (j.kautz@cs.ucl.ac.uk). For further information on the EngD Programme, see http://web4.cs.ucl.ac.uk/teaching/engd/ or contact Dr Anthony Steed a.steed@cs.ucl.ac.uk.
To be considered you need to fill in an application form. Please see http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate-study/application-admission/, where you can download the forms and guidelines. Make sure you specify Supervisor – Jan Kautz and EngD – “Practical Photogrammetry of Buildings” on the part of the form that asks what you are applying for. After you fill in this form, please send it to Naomi Jones & Melanie Johnson, Department of Computer Science, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT.

If you need further assistance regarding our application process, please contact the postgraduate administrators - Naomi Jones & Melanie Johnson (email: postgradadmin@cs.ucl.ac.uk)

Application deadline: Monday 2nd February 2009.

Applications after this date may be considered if the studentship has not been allocated.

Note: Please check our website for further PhD positions at http://www.cs.ucl.ac.uk/vacancies