Connectionists: Open postdoc position in computer vision and pattern recognition @ Pattern Analysis and Computer Vision (PAVIS), IIT, Genova, Italy

[Vittorio Murino]

One postdoctoral position in computer vision and pattern recognition is 
available in the department of Pattern Analysis and Computer Vision 
(PAVIS) at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) of Genova, Italy.

PAVIS department was launched three years ago with expertise on image 
processing, computer vision, pattern recognition and machine learning to 
study and design intelligent systems for the analysis and understanding 
of real-world problems. PAVIS focuses in particular on activities 
related but not limited to surveillance and security, biomedical 
imaging, and bioinformatics.

Job Title 1:
Postdoctoral position in computer vision for 3D reconstruction of 
neuronal connectivity from microscopy imaging.

Project Description:
The research position is part of the EU project RENVISION 
(Retina-inspired ENcoding for advanced VISION tasks) awarded within the 
initiative of Future Emerging Technologies: Neuro-Bio-Inspired Systems 
(NBIS). The project is highly interdisciplinary, including 
neuroengineering, electrophysiology, high-resolution microscopy imaging, 
computational modelling, data analysis, machine learning and computer 
vision. More information is provided at the end of this ad.

Description of the research:
The candidate will design novel analysis methodologies and algorithms 
based on pattern recognition, computer vision and machine learning 
techniques, aiming at reconstructing the 3D structure of neuronal 
connectivity between amacrine and ganglion cells from microscopy 3D 
imaging data of lower retinal layers.

Experience and Qualifications:
We are seeking a self-motivated individual with the ability to take 
day-to-day responsibility for the progress of the proposed work. The 
ideal candidate will have a PhD in Computer Science, Mathematics, 
Electronic Engineering or a closely-related discipline, with competences 
on machine learning/pattern recognition/computer vision, coupled with a 
keen interest in neuroscience and biological data processing and 
analysis. Expertise on (Bayesian) graphical models, deep learning and/or 
dictionary learning is in general preferred. Experience on spiking 
networks or retinal function will be appreciated while not being a 
discriminating factor. Strong programming skill is required.

Duration of hiring:
3 years, starting date 1 March 2013 or the first useful date afterwards.

Closing Date:
The initial deadline for applications is February 01, 2013, although the 
search will continue until appropriate candidates have been identified.

Annual salary:
in the range € 37,000 - € 43,000, depending on research experience and 
qualification.

How to apply:
Informal enquiries regarding the post should be directed to Prof. 
vittorio[dot]murino[at]iit[dot]it or diego[dot]sona[at]iit[dot]it. 
Interested applicants should send a CV (including a list of 
publications) and contact information for 3 references to 
Vittorio[dot]Murino[at]iit[dot]it.

Further information on the project, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia and 
PAVIS department can be found at:
http://www.iit.it/
http://www.iit.it/pavis.html

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RENVISION Project description:
The research position is part of the EU project RENVISION awarded within 
the initiative of Future Emerging Technologies: Neuro-Bio-Inspired 
Systems (NBIS). The project is highly interdisciplinary, including 
neuroengineering, electrophysiology, high-resolution microscopy imaging, 
computational modelling, data analysis, machine learning and computer 
vision.

The consortium consists of the following partners:
• Pattern Analysis and Computer Vision, Italian Institute of Technology, 
Genova, IT (Coordinator)
• Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Italian Institute of Technology, 
Genova, IT
• Nanophysics, Italian Institute of Technology, Genova, IT
• Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, UK
• Institute for Adaptive and Neural Computation, University of Edinburgh, UK
• Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique 
(INRIA), Nice, FR.

The overall aim of the project is to achieve a comprehensive 
understanding of how the retina encodes complex visual scenes, and to 
use such insights to develop new computational models of retina and to 
apply them to high-level computer vision tasks, such as scene 
categorization and action recognition.
To this aim, the integration of recent advances in high-resolution 3D 
light microscopy and high-density multi-electrode array (MEA) 
technologies, will put the project in an unprecedented position to 
investigate pan-retinal signal processing at high spatio-temporal 
resolution, integrating these two technologies in a novel experimental 
setup. This will allow for simultaneous recording from the entire 
population of ganglion cells and functional imaging of inner retinal 
layers at near-cellular resolution, combined with 3D structural imaging 
of the whole inner retina. The analysis and fusion of these complex 
datasets will require the development of novel multimodal analysis 
methods. On these neuroscientific and computational grounds, the project 
will generate new knowledge on retinal processing at various 
developmental stages.
In particular, structural imaging of retina and its functional 
recordings will be analysed using computer vision, pattern recognition 
and machine learning techniques in order to reconstruct the neuronal 
connectivity and to capture the intrinsic functionalities of retina in 
response to a range of visual stimuli, from simple lighting patterns to 
real scenes. Ultimately, the project will advance pattern recognition 
and computer vision technologies by shedding new light on the internal 
structure of retina and how the retinal processing allows solving 
complex vision tasks.

====================================================================

-- 
Vittorio Murino

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Prof. Vittorio Murino, Ph.D.
PAVIS - Pattern Analysis & Computer Vision
IIT Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
Via Morego 30
16163 Genova, Italy
Phone:	+39 010 71781 504
Mobile: +39 329 6508554
Fax: +39 010 71781 236
E-mail: vittorio.murino at iit.it
http://www.iit.it/pavis.html
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