UK. Three years PhD studentships are available within the Advanced Interfaces Group (AIG) as part EPSRC-funded project. The PhD student will join the AIG within the School of Computer Science. He or she will study image processing techniques to support reconstruction methods.
Initially, the focus will be on identification and removal of shadows from images, which is an important step in recovering surface reflectance properties. Subsequently, the intention is to explore image-based methods for identifying and classifying trees, initially using Gabor Filters.
The goal is to derive methods for identifying and removing shrubs and trees from reconstructed models and then re-introduce them into the final high-fidelity rendered scenes.
The project will focus to research the application to architectural design of novel real-time, interactive computer graphics techniques for visualization, planning and public consultation. Specifically, to derive new methods for automatically capturing geometric models of existing architectural sites and then using these models for interactive exploration of design decisions.
As well as recovering geometry, we shall be exploring methods for deriving the ambient illumination at the captured scene – so-called inverse rendering. From this we intend to compute surface properties, allowing the scenes to bere-illuminated using global illumination methods, so that the visual impact of design decisions can be explored under varying lighting conditions.
Although available from 1 October 2019, the normal starting time for PhD programmes is September, and applications from people wishing to start in Jan 2020, or earlier, are warmly welcomed.
The studentships are available to UK/EU applicants. Applicants should have a first class or good upper second class Honours degree (or non-UK equivalent) in Computer Science or a related subject (e.g. mathematics, electronic engineering, physics or mathematical science). Good mathematical and programming skills are essential, but training in other areas specific to the project will be provided as appropriate.
Further information about PhD studentships within The School of Computer Science, how to apply for advertised posts, and application forms are available online.