Funded PhD Positions in Fine-grained Recognition


The Fine-Grained Visual Categorization Laboratory at Brigham Young University (BYU) invites applications for fully-funded PhD positions.

Research in Fine-grained Recognition:
The Fine-Grained Visual Categorization (FGVC) Laboratory at BYU is focused on developing computational representations and approaches for fine-grained recognition, precisely identifying objects at the finest levels of detail (e.g. genus/species/sub-species for biological organisms such as birds, fish or insects, the make and model of man-made objects such as cars, planes and cell phones, and also recognition of individual humans). Our lab collaborates with domain experts in these fields, seeking both to leverage their expertise and to apply our techniques to their real-world visual recognition challenges. Key areas of focus are pose-normalized representations and learning techniques geared toward “big data” as fine-grained recognition is inherently both multi-view and large-scale.



Requirements:
We seek exceptional and highly-motivated students with a passion for tackling challenging problems. Students should have a depth of knowledge in mathematical and computational approaches. Prior research experience in computer vision is highly desirable. Detailed formal requirements are below:
  • B.S. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or other related areas with top marks. Candidates with an M.S. degree and research experience are especially encouraged to apply.
  • Strong background in both mathematical and computational theory and programming experience.
  • Solid oral and written communication skills (if English is a second language a 105+ iBT TOEFL score is required).
  • Satisfaction of all department admissions criteria (GPA, GRE, etc.).

About Brigham Young University (BYU):
Brigham Young University (BYU), located in Provo, Utah, is nestled in the foothills of the wasatch mountains providing quick access to a multitude of outdoor activities such as skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, rock climbing, backpacking, etc. Beyond the beauty and convenience of the mountains, BYU provides a safe uplifting campus community not found in any other university in the world through its honor code and sponsoring institution, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The honor code is a commitment made by every member of the BYU community to strive to live the moral virtues encompassed in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The uplifting and inspirational environment that arises from this campus-wide commitment is one that can be fully appreciated only by experiencing it. BYU invites everyone to come be a part of its unique community.

The Computer Science Department at BYU provides financial support for all of its Ph.D. students which includes a stipend, tuition, and health insurance. This funding, coupled with the reasonable cost of housing in Provo, Utah, allows many students to complete their graduate degree without any debt at all. These benefits provide a strong foundation from which to launch a successful and influential career. Additional details about the graduate program in Computer Science are to be found here.

Application Instructions:
  1. Please read BYU’s honor code fully and make sure you’re willing to commit to it. Both faculty and students are required to agree to and follow the honor code.
  2. Contact Prof. Ryan Farrell by email (). Please include your CV/resume, academic transcript, and a brief statement describing your preparation/research experience and what you hope to get out of a PhD.
  3. Complete the full application for BYU graduate studies by December 15, 2015.

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Prof. Farrell promptly. Priority will be given to candidates submitting a completed application to BYU graduate studies by December 15, 2015.