Newsgroups: uk.jobs.offered,misc.jobs.offered,comp.sys.transputer,sci.image.processing
From: rap@dcs.warwick.ac.uk (Roger Packwood)
Subject: Research Associate in Parallel/Image Processing (UK)
Organization: Department of Computer Science, Warwick University, England
Date: Fri, 27 May 1994 15:50:50 GMT
Message-ID: <1994May27.155050.10128@dcs.warwick.ac.uk>


RESEARCH ASSOCIATE in Parallel Computing & Image Processing

University of Warwick Department of Computer Science


Applications are invited for a two year post in Video Coding and
Multimedia applications.  Workstation clusters and multiprocessor
systems will be used to implement novel image analysis and coding
techniques.

The successful applicant must have a good honours degree, preferably in
Computer Science or Computer/Electronic Engineering.  A good knowledge
of programming is essential, preferably in `C'.  A strong background in
mathematics is also required; specific experience of parallel computing
and image processing would be an advantage.   It may be possible for
the successful applicant to register for a higher degree.

The post is to be funded on the RA (1B) salary scale:
 12,828 to  15,186 pa. for a period of two years from 1st July 1994, or
from a mutually acceptable date as soon as possible thereafter.

For those still interested, some more details of the post, the department
and the University.

The  Research Associate  sought is required to work on an EPSRC-funded
project, titled "Parallel Motion Estimation Techniques for Noisy Image
Sequences".  The main objective of the project is to research and
develop algorithms for motion detection and representation within video
coding applications, for implementation on general purpose parallel
computing platforms. One approach will be to use some of the many
workstations in the Department to build `clusters' for systems such as
PVM (Parallel Virtual Machine). The Department's Parsytec
SuperCluster, a 128 node, transputer-based machine provides a second
parallel platform with different CPU performance and communication
rates/topology.  A third approach will be to use SPARCcenter 2000s, 8
and 10 CPU machines available in the University's Computer Services
Centre. These offer a shared memory communication between CPUs,
accessible via a "thread" interface, to give another combination of
CPU/communications.  The motion estimation algorithms will range from
simple block matching techniques with different search strategies, to
more sophisticated optical flow methods. Block matching is amenable to
fairly straightforward farming parallelization, but optical flow will
require a more complex approach.  It is anticipated that the project
results may be of relevance to current developments in very low bit
rate coding (MPEG-4), and both national and international
standardization activities will be considered as the research
progresses.

The Department of Computer Science, located in its own two storey
building on the main University campus, has an extensive network of Sun
workstations and servers.  The Department is connected to the
University campus network at Ethernet level, and has full Internet
connectivity, with general access to Usenet news, email, ftp etc.
Well-equipped laboratories serve the principal research groups, the
largest group being "Systems and Applications" which includes VLSI
architectures and system design, image and signal processing, and
computer graphics.  All equipment is integrated into the Departmental
system for access to central resources.

The work of the Department was again awarded a top grade 5 in the
latest Research Assessment Exercise conducted by the Universities
Funding Council.  Grants and contracts presently exceed  1M and include
work on the European ESPRIT programme and IED collaborative work with
industrial partners as well as a large number of grants from
SERC/EPSRC.  In addition to its research activities and undergraduate
degree programmes, the Department has an advanced taught MSc course in
Parallel Computers and Computation.  This course is supported by
industry, EPSRC, and the European Union.  The Image and Signal
Processing Research Group is involved in the analysis, coding and
enhancement of both moving and still images and high quality audio
signals.  The Group comprises 3 staff members, 7 research assistants
and postgraduate students, and 1 postdoctoral research fellow.

The University of Warwick is situated in pleasant countryside on the
outskirts of Coventry, approximately 90 miles north of London.  It
received its charter in 1965 and since then has firmly established
itself as a centre of excellence in research, with an international
reputation in a wide range of subjects. :-)

Application forms may be obtained from the
Personnel Office, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL (0203 523627)
quoting Reference No 42/3A/93 (please mark clearly on envelope).

Informal enquiries may be made to either
Dr G R Martin, Tel:  0203 523367, Email: grm@dcs.warwick.ac.uk, or

Dr R A Packwood, Tel: 0203 523197, Email: rap@dcs.warwick.ac.uk.
(That's me posting the ad so a reply should work)

