Research Fellow in Computer Vision and Autonomous Vehicles

Key Skills

Aartificial intelligence, AI Robotic systems, Azure, CNNs, Computer Vision (CV), CUDA kernels, Data Analytics, Effective communication skills, Keras software library, Machine learning techniques, OpenCV, PyTorch, TensorFlow

Job Description

Are you an experienced and ambitious researcher looking for your next challenge? Do you have a strong research background in computer vision, machine learning, and autonomous vehicles? Do you want to further your career in a world-leading, research-intensive Russell Group University?

With 40 European partners, Hi-Drive, a four-year European Commission flagship project (2021-2025) aims to deploy higher levels of driving automation in self-driving cars and extended operational design domain (ODD) for the next generation of highly automated vehicles. A longer period of automated mode, a lower rate of human take-over requests, comprehensive driver behaviour monitoring, and efficient multi-modal traffic perception beyond the current state-of-the-art are some of the objectives of the project.

As part of this project, the Institute for Transport Studies (ITS) at the University of Leeds, the leading research department in the field in the UK, is involved in several work packages and research tasks and is seeking a talented research fellow in the area of computer vision, machine learning, and sensor fusion for developing road-user detection, tracking, trajectory estimation, and in particular driver readiness monitoring in response to a take over request. Pedestrian crossing intention recognition using vision, lidar, and radar sensory data is another key programme output to support the Hi-Drive project by ITS, University of Leeds.

We require a motivated researcher with in-depth research experience in computer vision, driver monitoring, and road scene perception with an academic background in computer science/engineering, mathematics, and data analytics, and competent in developing real-world applications, programming and tools. You should have a PhD in computer science or relevant fields, a strong academic record, and be able to work both independently and as part of the University of Leeds team. 

Skills and experience required: 

• A PhD or near completion in Computer Science, AI, Data Analytics, Machine Learning, Robotics, Mathematics or a closely allied discipline. 
• An in-depth practical experience in Deep Neural Network models, CNNs, Reinforcement Learning, and Transfer Learning, for object detection/recognition, tracking, and segmentation.
• Highly skilled in Python programming, CV and DNN libraries (OpenCV, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras), Matlab, Cloud platforms, Microsoft Azure, and CUDA.
• Strong track record of research publications in top-tier computer vision and/or transport-related journals and conferences.
• Good time management and planning skills, with the ability to meet tight deadlines and manage competing demands. 
• Excellent written, presentation, and communication skills. 
• A proven ability to work well both individually and in a team. 

What we offer in return: 

• 26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year! 
• Generous pension scheme plus life assurance – the University contributes 21.6% of salary. 
• Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym. 
• Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team, and self-development courses. 
• Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes. 

And much more! 

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Dr Mahdi Rezaei , Assistant Professor

Email: m.rezaei@leeds.ac.uk