About the Project
Video technology is now pervasive, with mobile video, UHDTV, video conferencing, and surveillance all underpinned by efficient signal representations. As one of the most important research topics in video processing, compression is crucial in encoding high quality videos for transmission over band-limited channels.
The last three decades have seen impressive performance improvement in standardised video algorithms. The latest standard, VVC and the new royalty free codec, AOM/AV1, are expected to achieve 30-50% gains in coding performance over HEVC. However, this figure is far from satisfactory considering the large amount video data consumed every day.
Inspired by the recent breakthrough in artificial intelligence, in particular deep learning techniques developed for video processing applications, this PhD project will investigate novel deep learning-based video coding tools, network architectures and perceptual loss functions for modern codecs.
This project is funded by MyWorld UKRI Strength in Places Programme.
URL for further information: http://www.myworld-creates.com/
Candidate Requirements
Applicants must hold/achieve a minimum of a master’s degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant discipline. Applicants without a master’s qualification may be considered on an exceptional basis, provided they hold a first-class undergraduate degree. Please note, acceptance will also depend on evidence of readiness to pursue a research degree.
If English is not your first language, you need to meet this profile level:
Profile E
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.
Basic skills and knowledge required
Essential: Excellent analytical skills and experimental acumen.
Desirable: A background understanding in one or more of the following:
Video compression
Artificial intelligence / Machine Learning / Deep Learning
Application Process
- All candidates should submit a full CV and covering letter to myworldrecruitment@myworld-creates.com (FAO: Professor David R. Bull).
- Formal applications for PhD are not essential at this stage, but can be submitted via the University of Bristol homepage (clearly marked as MyWorld funded): https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/
- A Selection Panel will be established to review all applications and to conduct interviews of short-listed candidates.
- This post remains open until fulfilled.
For questions about eligibility and the application process please contact SCEEM Postgraduate Research Admissions sceem-pgr-admissions@bristol.ac.uk
Funding Notes
Stipend at the UKRI minimum stipend level (£16,062 p.a. in 2022/23) will also cover tuition fees at the UK student rate. Funding is subject to eligibility status and confirmation of award.
To be treated as a home student, candidates must meet one of these criteria:
- be a UK national (meeting residency requirements)
- have settled status
- have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements)
- have indefinite leave to remain or enter.