[visionlist] PhD studentship

[Vincent Nourrit]

Applications are invited for a PhD studentship starting in the academic 
year 2011-12 to work with Dr Vincent Nourrit and Dr James Graham 
(University of Manchester) and 4D Optics Ltd.

The diagnosis and management of many ophthalmic conditions rely on 
assessment of retinal images. The application of adaptive optics (AO), a 
technique widely used in astronomy, to retinal imaging offers the 
potential to obtain images of the retina at previously unachievable 
resolution. As a consequence of the ultra high resolution of AO imaging 
systems, the area being imaged is relatively small and does not offer 
any landmark for the clinicians to localize the area of the fundus being 
imaged. This constitutes an impediment to the practical application of 
the technology in clinical practice. AO bio-microscopy of the retina 
allows imaging of the retina at the cellular scale. However at this 
scale it is extremely difficult to determine the location of the imaging 
field from the AO imaging. The objective of the project is to develop an 
accurate image processing algorithm to perform real time landmark 
tracking and to implement it within a dual scale system comprising an AO 
fundus camera and a standard wide field fundus camera.

This position is an opportunity to join a multidisciplinary environment 
and gain experience in several aspects of image processing, optics and 
ophthalmic instrumentation. In addition, the successful candidate will 
have the opportunity to work both in a business and academic environment.

The ideal candidate would combine good programming skills with proven 
experience of algorithm and software development, and a degree in 
mathematics or other numerate discipline. Knowledge of Matlab and/or 
numerical python and C is expected and knowledge of Mac OS, OpenCL would 
be an asset, as would experience in image processing or computer vision. 
The candidate should be able to demonstrate independence and curiosity 
and be able to lead the project forward.

Funding Notes:

This studentship is available to UK and other EU nationals (due to 
funding criteria) and provides fees and stipend subject to eligibility. 
Applicants should hold (or be about to obtain) a first or upper second 
class honours degree in a related area.

For further details please email Vincent.Nourrit at manchester.ac.uk

To apply for this studentship please see: 
http://www.ls.manchester.ac.uk/phdprogrammes/apply.


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Vincent Nourrit
The University of Manchester
Faculty of Life Sciences
Moffat Building, Sackville Street
PO Box 88
Manchester, M60 1QD
Tel.: (+44)(0)161 306 42 17
Fax.: (+44)(0)161 306 38 87