Job Specifications
About The Role
Informal Queries
For informal queries, please contact Associate Professor (Reader) Jay Warnett at j.m.warnett@warwick.ac.uk
We are seeking to appoint a Research Fellow to play a crucial role in our recently UKRI awarded project “AC/DC: Accessible CT Data Compression”.
This candidate will have a background in image data compression, supported by experience with AI and machine learning. They will utilise this knowledge to develop domain specific compression by exploiting spatial and temporal redundancies, including through implementation of AI.
A complimentary role is being advertised where the focus is mathematical modelling opposed to AI.
X-ray Computed Tomography enables non-destructive observation of an objects internal structure. From material phases of novel alloys to uncovering a fossils provenance it supports a broad spectrum of academic research. However, even modest operation of a single system generates >10TB of raw data annually which requires archiving for 10+ years. This had led to an unsustainable data accumulation globally, desperate for a solution.
This project will create the first accessible, domain specific, machine independent CT data compression methods. Your experience with image data compression structures combined with intuition of domain specific redundancies will enable us to develop such methods, slashing storage requirements by up to 80% and directly lowering the carbon footprint of global research infrastructure. You will initially focus on lossless compression with predictor models and inspiration from video encoding. Stronger compression ratios will be identified through machine learning and AI methodologies. Subsequently, AI supported lossy methods will be developed with a focus on optimal compression with minimal acceptable data loss These methods will be integrated into user friendly open-source compression software so everyone can benefit.
The project is joint with University of Cambridge and University of Portsmouth. It includes an annual two month secondment to Cambridge with all travel covered, to receive the experience of multiple research environments to develop the best data compression.
There are a series of project partners including NASA, Rolls-Royce, and JLR who will be appraising the research as it evolves, ensuring the outcomes are exploited.
About You
An experienced data compression engineer with experience in AI and machine learning. A keen interest in identifying patterns in data, and learning from fields adjacent to their knowledge.
This position requires an understanding of existing image and video codecs, with an intuition of how they would be adapted specifically for these datasets. AI methodologies for compression will be a key focus to identify further refinements. Previous experience in creating software and management thereof is required.
The candidate must have Python and C/C++ programming experience. No previous experience with X-ray Imaging is necessary.
For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description attached as a PDF below.
PhD Status
If you are near submission of your PhD, or have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made at Research Assistant level, at the highest spinal point of pay grade 5 (£34,610 per annum).
Upon receipt of evidence confirming the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow, at the lowest spinal point of grade 6 (£35,608 per annum).
About The Department
CiMAT (Centre for Imaging, Measurement and Additive Techonologies) has been developing X-ray Imaging methodologies for over 20 years.
The group is part of the National Facility in X-ray CT, making the technique more widely accessible for researchers. We have five X-ray CT scanners on site to support a variety of imaging needs, participating in collaborative academic and industrial research, making it one of the largest facilities of its kind.
Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) is the largest department at the University of Warwick with over 800 staff, world renowned for providing innovative solutions to industry through its research, development and education programmes.
Our industry focussed education portfolio includes nearly 3,000 students studying management, technology and applied engineering subjects, at postgraduate and undergraduate level. We have high expectations for our teaching and our courses are regularly ranked top in the UK and amongst the leading courses in their field in the world.
At WMG we are committed to supporting staff to achieve their potential.
We currently hold the Athena SWAN Silver Award and the University of Warwick holds an Institutional Silver Award: a national initiative that recognizes the advancement of gender equality, representation, progression and success for all in academia.
For further information about WMG, please visit our website.
For further information on the WMG centre High Value Manufacturing Catapult,
About the Company
We're a world-leading university with the highest academic and research standards. But we're not letting the story end there. That's because we're a place of possibility. We're always looking for new ways to make things happen. And our students, alumni and staff are consistently making an impact - the kind that changes lives, whether close to home or on a global scale. It's the achievements of our people that help explain why our levels of research excellence and scholarship are recognised internationally. It's a prime attra...
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