CLOSED: Two Fully Funded PhD Scholarships in Underwater Robotic Imaging

The Robotic Imaging Lab at the University of Sydney (intro video) has two fully funded PhD positions open in underwater robotic imaging, as part of the new Australian Robotic Inspection and Asset Management research hub, ARIAM.

Applicants with a strong background in Mechatronic Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Machine Learning, or similar programs are encouraged to apply.

This project aims to develop new visual sensing approaches to enable next-generation performance in deployed underwater systems. The work will focus on sensing for our industry partners cutting-edge nimble underwater robots, improving performance and allowing operation in previously prohibitive conditions.

The challenges:

• Fast-moving, tightly integrated 6-DOF underwater robotic platforms that inspect, map, and maintain infrastructure through mid-range and close-up operations
• Murky water, bubbles, debris, low light, motion blur, and low-texture surfaces
• A unique computing architecture and real-time throughput and latency requirements

Depending on interest and ability, candidates will investigate one or more of:

• New ways of designing and evaluating imaging payloads: information-driven, optimisation / learning, and/or simulation-based
• Adapting computational imaging techniques to make the most of existing and emerging sensing technologies, including multi-camera and multi-modal sensor payloads and use of emerging technologies in light field, event cameras, and coded illumination and exposure
• Low-level imaging: burst imaging, noise & interference models, learned direct raw image processing and/or feature detection
• Real-time algorithms for high-fidelity 3D reconstruction of close up underwater scenes
• Next-generation neural / implicit / NeRF-like representations, taking these underwater to address high-fidelity 3D reconstruction of close-up underwater scenes

Embedded in the Australian Centre for Field Robotics, the Robotic Imaging Lab is focused on endowing robots with new ways of seeing their world. From photons to actions, we employ computational imaging techniques to jointly consider the optics, low-level vision, and high-level semantic understanding that ultimately drive autonomous decision making.

The ACFR offers specialised imaging labs and facilities, robotic platforms, test tanks and robotic field labs across on-campus and nearby off-campus sites. You will have access to mechanical and electronics workshops and a pool of technical staff to help realise your research ambitions. The University of Sydney offers a rich academic setting in a world-class city, and the ACFR has strong ties to a network of nearby and international academic and industrial collaborators.

As part of the ARIAM Research Hub you will have access to our university facilities including the ACFR and Robotic Imaging labs, as well as the expertise of our academic and industry collaborators. ARIAM has nodes and world robotics experts at QUT in Brisbane and ANU in Canberra. Our industry partners have facilities and programs of cutting-edge robotic deployments in Sydney and around Australia. Key partners for these positions are Hullbot and Reach Robotics, both headquartered in Sydney. Reach Robotics are headquartered a short walk from the University of Sydney campus, where they develop advanced manipulator arm solutions for harsh underwater environments. Their products enable complex inspection and intervention in maritime infrastructure management, marine science, autonomous robotics research applications, and more. Hullbot develops the world's most sophisticated underwater drone. Their platforms inspect, clean and 3D map using an agile, small-form-factor robot. Their facilities include a full mechanical and electrical workshop office space located on Sydney Harbour, indoor and outdoor test tank facilities, operational vessel access for field testing, and multiple field-deployed robotic platforms.

The two roles advertised here are part of a larger opportunity that will hire and bring together tens of PhD students and multiple Postdocs. For more on ARIAM, our partners, and opportunities to join the hub please watch this site and the ARIAM Research Hub website.

Two fully funded 3.5-year PhD scholarship covering tuition fees and stipend.

About You

Successful candidates will have:

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline
• Interest in imaging and robotics research with direct impact in an entrepreneurial, dynamic industry
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Creativity, curiosity, and passion
• Experience with one or more of imaging, computational imaging, image processing and/or computer vision
• Hands-on experience with robotic platforms, ROS, Python, C++, and/or deep learning frameworks would also be an asset

How to Apply

Application deadline EXTENDED to Jan 10, 2023 Midnight (Sydney time)

To apply, please email donald.dansereau@sydney.edu.au, with the subject line “ARIAM PhD Application:” and your name. Include the following:

• CV
• Unofficial transcripts
• Cover letter

Please also include a Google Drive link to a 2 minute selfie video covering the following:

• Your strongest engineering skills
• What do you enjoy most about developing technology
• A description of a project that you're proud of, or plan to be when completed

International Applicants

Domestic and international applicants are welcome. The Australian PhD is a 3.5-year program, generally with direct entry from an undergraduate degree with a final-year thesis project (see Admission Criteria below).

Candidates complete a total of two graduate-level classes of their choice as part of the PhD program. There are no doctoral qualifying / candidacy exams. Candidates complete a viva / oral thesis defence at the completion of the program.

Admission Criteria

Successful candidates will need to enrol in the University of Sydney's Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) program. Enrolment requirements are listed on the University website here. Key requirements are:

• An Undergraduate or Master's degree with overall first-class Honours or equivalent, AND
• Some sort of research experience, either:
  • Completion of an Undergraduate degree with a final-year thesis/project, OR
  • Completion of a Master's by research degree, OR
  • Completion of a Master's by coursework degree with a substantial research project.

For Further Information

This Robotic Imaging Lab Website
Sydney Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems
Australian Centre for Field Robotics
ARIAM Research Hub
Hullbot
Reach Robotics
For any questions please email donald.dansereau@sydney.edu.au.