Illuminating Colour Constancy: from Physics to Photography

EPSRC project studentship in Vision Science
Newcastle University, UK
Supervisor: Professor Anya Hurlbert

What is it?  a 3.5-year PhD studentship in Vision Science, at the interface between human and computer vision.  To start in autumn 2010.

What’s the aim?  To understand how we see colours, and to make better colour images.  We will study colour appearance of real objects under variable illumination, making use of (a) hyperspectral imaging  (b) novel illumination generation and (c)  behavioural measurements. Ultimately, the project will feed into colour correction  algorithms for digital images. The project involves close collaboration with Professor Graham Finlayson in Computing Sciences at University of East Anglia.

Where? The Institute of Neuroscience at Newcastle University, housed in the award-winning Henry Wellcome Building for Neuroecology, with state-of-the-art labs for colour imaging and image processing, eye tracking,  visual psychophysics, and a range of other techniques in sensory, cognitive, motor and computational neuroscience.

Who can apply?  Interested candidates with backgrounds in psychology, engineering, mathematics or a natural science are encouraged to apply. Candidates must have excellent computing skills, an enthusiasm for understanding human visual perception, and hold the equivalent of  a 2.1 or higher degree class. The student will gain experience in psychophysical experimental design and programming, colour science, and computational modelling. Candidates of any nationality are eligible.

How much is it worth?  The student stipend will be greater than £13,290/year (minimum for 2009-2010). All fees are paid at the UK level.  In the long term, the PhD itself is worth much, much more.

How’s the environment? Newcastle upon Tyne is a lively city, named by Newsweek in 2002 as one of the world’s eight top creative cities. Home to the Baltic (Europe’s largest contemporary art museum), the new Sage Gateshead music centre,  Newcastle United Football Team, and a vigorous  night life loved by its large student population, it is also a welcoming place to live.

How do I apply? To apply, please send a statement of interest, CV, and the names of two referees directly  to anya .dot. hurlbert -at. ncl.ac.uk. Also, please complete the university application form online at http://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/. Quote REF IN033.

The timeline?  The studentship will start in September 2010 (with some flexibility). Deadline for applications is 28 May 2010.

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