Computational imaging in low resource settings

The Biomedical and Astronomical Signal Processing (BASP) laboratory at Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh (HWU), headed by Professor Yves Wiaux is recruiting a PhD student for research on computational imaging in low-resource settings.

The BASP laboratory is developing cutting-edge research on all aspects of computational imaging, from theory and algorithms to a myriad of applications. Dr Wiaux is a Professor in the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences at HWU. He is also Honorary fellow at the School of Informatics of the University of Edinburgh (UoE), and Academic Guest at the Signal Processing Laboratories of the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL).

The position is open in the context of large research initiatives by Prof. Wiaux aiming to develop a new generation of image reconstruction and analysis algorithms at the interface of deep learning, optimisation, and Bayesian sampling. It will research the recent R2D2 paradigm, standing for “Residual-to-Residual Deep neural network series for high-Dynamic range imaging” [https://arxiv.org/abs/2403.05452; https://arxiv.org/abs/2403.17905]. R2D2 postulates a new framework synergistically generalising advanced plug-and-play approaches and diffusion models, which rely on learned regularisation denoisers. The research will span (i) algorithm theory, towards interpretable solutions shipped with calibration and uncertainty quantification functionalities,  (ii) co-design of specialised high-performance computing hardware for energy-efficient implementation in low-cost/portable devices, and (iii) validation for high-dimensional (3D, hyperspectral, depth, dynamic) imaging modalities in low-resource settings. The question of the transferability of R2D2’s learned modules across modalities and applications is also of specific interest, from astronomy, to medicine, and quantum imaging.

We are looking for outstanding candidates with a first Class Master’s Degree (or equivalent) in electrical engineering, applied mathematics, physics, computer science, or a related discipline. The student will be fully integrated into BASP under the supervision of Prof. Wiaux, co-supervised by Dr Joao Mota at HWU’s Signal and Image Processing Laboratory and Mr Adrian Jackson at UoE’s parallel computing centre (EPCC).

The scholarship is fully-funded for 3.5 years, and open to international students. The start date is flexible in 2024. Expressions of interest and full applications (single PDF including a motivation letter, full transcript of record, CV, and names of 2 references) should be sent by email to Prof. Wiaux ([email protected]). Please apply at your earliest convenience. Applications screening will start in May 2024 and continue until the position is filled.