Visual descriptors and learning algorithms for recognizing faces in image datasets and videos.

We are seeking a full-time Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Computer Vision to join the Visual Geometry Group at the Department of Engineering Science (central Oxford). The post is funded by IARPA under the Janus programme and is fixed-term for 24 months.

The objective of the project is to develop visual descriptors and learning algorithms for recognising faces in image datasets and videos. This includes face detection, face descriptors, and retrieval of faces in large scale image and video datasets. It is a collaborative project with several research groups in the US. The methods to be used will involve strong and weak supervision of learning models such as Convolutional Neural Networks. Of particular interest is face recognition `in the wild' - where the face may have non-frontal pose, and the illumination is not controlled.

You will be responsible for development and implementation of novel computer vision and learning algorithms to automate face recognition in images and video. You will also develop software infrastructure for viewing and searching the resulting classifications and detections.

Key tasks:

• Development and implementation of novel computer vision and learning algorithms to automate face recognition in images and video..
• Develop software infrastructure for viewing and searching the resulting classifications and detections.
• Writing up the results for conference and journal publications.
• Contributing documented software to the group library.
• Performing occasional demonstrations to industrial or academic visitors.
• Assisting informally with the supervision of graduate students conducting related research

Detailed tasks:

a) Develop computer vision and learning algorithms:

• For recognizing faces in images/videos using architectures such as Convolutional Neural Networks or other learnable models
• For detecting or associating faces in image sets or videos
• For efficient retrieval of faces in large scale image and video datasets

b) Software development

Additional duties:

• Manage own academic research and administrative activities. This involves small scale project management, to co-ordinate multiple aspects of work to meet deadlines
• Contribute ideas for new research projects
• Develop ideas for generating research income, and present detailed research proposals to senior researchers
• Collaborate in the preparation of scientific reports and journal articles and occasionally present papers and posters 
• Act as a source of information and advice to other members of the group on scientific protocols and experimental techniques
• Represent the research group at external meetings/seminars, either with other members of the group or alone
• Carry out collaborative projects with colleagues in partner institutions, and research groups
• The PDRA may have the opportunity to teach (this includes lecturing, demonstrating, small-group teaching, tutoring of undergraduates and graduate students and supervision of masters projects in collaboration with principal investigators). 

To submit your application for this position, please click on the "Apply through website" button.

Only applications received before 12.00 midday on Friday 5 December 2014 can be considered. You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, including a brief statement of research interests (describing how past experience and future plans fit with the advertised position), CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Andrew Zisserman at andrew.zisserman@en.ox.ac.uk

Essential:

• Doctorate, or near completion of doctorate, in Computer Vision or Machine Learning
• Background and expertise in in recognition in images or videos
• Background and expertise in machine learning
• Strong publication record at principal computer vision conferences (CVPR, ECCV, ICCV) and/or principal machine learning conferences (ICML, NIPS)
• Good written and spoken communication skills

Desirable:

• Able to program in C++.
• Able to program in Matlab.
• Experience with UNIX.
• Experience with Windows.

Apply here: https://www.recruit.ox.ac.uk/pls/hrisliverecruit/erq_jobspec_version_4.display_form