Two PhD Student Positions in Computer Vision and Machine Learning at MPI-IS

The Embodied Vision Group (https://ev.is.mpg.de) is looking for 2 PhD students in Computer Vision for Learning Systems who are holding an outstanding Master’s degree in the computer or natural sciences, electrical or control engineering or applied mathematics, and who have studied areas related to computer vision and machine learning.
Description
Intelligent agents such as robots require the ability to learn and adapt within their environment. The Embodied Vision group at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Tübingen investigates novel methods for autonomous systems to learn the basic physical functioning of the environment and to use these models to perform complex tasks such as navigation and object manipulation. We aim at systems that learn from raw sensor measurements such as images or tactile information and through action within their environment. A research focus of our group is on computer vision topics in this context, including
• Physical and 3D dynamic scene understanding
• Learning of predictive environment models
• Self-supervised and online visual and multi-modal learning
• Vision-based interactive perception and learning for object manipulation
• Vision-based navigation for drones and mobile robots
• Deep reinforcement learning
We are looking for 2 PhD students holding an outstanding Master’s degree in computer science, physics, electrical or control engineering or applied mathematics who will conduct research in one or several of the above topic areas. Candidates should have studied areas related to computer vision and machine learning. Areas of particular interest for us at the moment are deep learning, visual scene understanding, visual/visual-inertial simultaneous localization and mapping, 3D scene reconstruction, robot vision, robot learning and deep reinforcement learning. Successful candidates will typically have ranked at or near the top of their classes and be highly proficient in written and spoken English. Excellent computer science skills as well as a strong mathematical background are required. Prior research experience in computer vision, deep learning, robotic object manipulation or autonomous navigation is a plus.
The Embodied Vision group participates at the structured PhD programme of the International Max Planck Research School on Intelligent Systems (IMPRS-IS), in collaboration with University of Stuttgart and Tübingen University. Successful candidates will be encouraged to apply at the IMPRS-IS for joining the programme. An initial PhD funding contract will be offered for 3 years. The position is funded for 3-4 years. Salary will be based on previous experience according to TVöD guidelines. Earliest start date is August 1st, 2018.
The Max-Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. The Max-Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply.
The Embodied Vision Group (https://ev.is.mpg.de) is part of the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Tübingen, Germany (http://is.tuebingen.mpg.de) and is established through the Cyber Valley Initiative (https://cyber-valley.de). The institute is a world-class center for foundational research in machine learning, computer vision, robotics and material science. The majority of the institute’s scientific employees come from outside of Germany. You will work among gifted students and experienced scientists from all over the world; and have access to excellent infrastructure, including several regular series of tutorials, lectures, journal clubs and invited talks by international guests, as well as a large computer cluster. Tübingen is a scenic medieval university town, cradled in what is simultaneously one of Germany’s most beautiful landscapes in one of Europe’s most economically successful areas. Stuttgart airport is about an hour by bus, Frankfurt airport can be reached in about two hours by train. The working language at the institute is English.
Applications and inquiries should be sent quoting reference number 33.18 to Dr. Joerg Stueckler (see contact details below). Applications must be submitted by email as a single pdf (max. 10 MB) and include a CV, motivation letter with research statement, publication list, transcripts of BSc and MSc degrees, and contact details of 2-3 references. Optionally, up to 2 selected own publications or theses can be included in a second pdf (max. 5 MB). Applications should also indicate earliest date of availability. There is no fixed application deadline; applications are considered until the positions have been filled or are no longer needed. Preference will be given to applications received before July 15th, 2018.
Contact: Dr. Joerg Stueckler | joerg.stueckler-AT-tuebingen.mpg.de
MPI for Intelligent Systems, Max-Planck-Ring 4, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
+49 (0) 7071-601 385 | http://is.mpg.de/person/jstueckler