PhD Scholarships in Signal Processing for Audio and Video Signals
Applications are invited for a PhD scholarship at the School of Engineering and Computer Science at Victoria University of Wellington (VUW), New Zealand. These are exciting opportunities for world-class research training within a successful and enthusiastic team of researchers, with well-equipped laboratories. We have productive collaborations with industrial and university groups across the globe.
Projects:
We aim to develop various new signal-processing algorithms to process audio and video signals. Our approach is rooted in statistical signal processing and information theory. Examples are:
- Distributed blind source separation. The objective is to make an arbitrary number of sensors collaborate to separate source signals (talkers, music instruments). In contrast to existing methods, which perform computations on a single centralized processor, only separated source signals will be transmitted out of the sensor network. This results in the unlimited scalability that is useful for settings such as class rooms and large-scale meetings. The algorithms will also apply to applications such as radio-signal separation.
- Low-delay source coding. State-of-the-art audio coders can perform close to the theoretical rate-distortion bound, but require a 25 ms block size because they are transform based. The objective of this project is to build coders that can approach the rate-distortion bound at a low-delay (around 1 ms), by using prediction in combination with pre- and postfiltering. At low rates we will use the distribution-preserving quantization paradigm that we recently developed. The project outcome wil be useful for, for example, Internet jamming, in-ear monitoring of a live performance and hearing-aid applications.
- Multi-zone audio. Headphones cut you off from the local environment but without them your listening to multimedia is annoying to persons you share the space with. This can be solved with multi-zone audio. Multi-zone technology has been advancing rapidly in recent years. We will focus on the development of systems that reduce the impact on other persons in the listener environment and on systems that can operate in real time.
- Multi-view video. In video calls the camera and the image of the far-end party are physically separate. This inconsistency inhibits natural discourse. In this project we will develop algorithms for gaze correction based on a principle that we recently defined.
Qualifications:
The candidate should hold a Masters degree in Mathematics or Engineering, must have a strong background in mathematics and probability theory, as well as an interest in applying this knowledge to practical signal processing algorithms.
Stipend:
The three year PhD scholarships provide a tax-free stipend of around NZ$23,000 per annum and also cover the cost of university fees. Conference travel funding is available.
Application closing date:
Positions are available on a continuing basis.
For more information on on how to apply visit the
Victoria Ph.D. application and admission web page. For some context on our work visit
CaSP group web page.
For more information contact:
Prof. Bastiaan Kleijn.