Vacancies - ACFR Fellowships at the University of Sydney

FELLOWSHIPS
AUSTRALIAN CENTRE FOR FIELD ROBOTICS (ACFR)
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES
THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

The Australian Centre for Field Robotics at the University of Sydney is currently seeking to fill two 3-year research fellowship positions associated with their marine robotics program.

ACFR SUPER SCIENCE FELLOWSHIP
REFERENCE NO. 1972/0710

The ACFR in collaboration with the School of Biological Sciences and the University of Tasmania has secured funding through the Australian Research Council Super Science Fellowship program to undertake fundamental research in the area of image classification and geospatial modelling and to see it applied to on-going programs supported by Australia's Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS). The objectives of the successful project are to develop techniques for efficiently extracting scientifically relevant information for marine habitat assessment using high-resolution, integrated geo-spatial data collected by Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) systems. The large volume of data being collected by these platforms requires automated techniques to bridge the gap between in-situ observations and the information ultimately needed for marine habitat monitoring. In particular, the use of machine vision and machine learning techniques to enhance the interpretation and annotation of imagery will be critical in avoiding bottlenecks associated with human analysis of seafloor images. There is therefore a requirement to bridge the gap between the in-situ observations and the information required to answer specific scientific questions concerning changes in marine habitats.

This position requires a PhD in a relevant field awarded not more than three years before the commencement date for the SSF as well as a demonstrated ability to work with data generated by robotic systems operating in real world environments. Ideally, you will have a strong background in classification, data mining, or spatial modeling under uncertainty, and an interest in the marine environment combined with an enthusiasm for working with members of the scientific community outside your immediate area of research.


ACFR LINKAGE FELLOWSHIP
REFERENCE NO. 1973/0710

The ACFR in collaboration with Thales Australia Pty Ltd has secured funding through the Australian Research Council Linkage program to develop algorithms and methods required to enable robotic platforms to perform repeatable, high-resolution surveys of marine environments. Extending the simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) paradigm to operate reliably in a changing seascape will form the basis for autonomous long-term monitoring with minimal additional navigation infrastructure. This capability has the potential to dramatically improve the accuracy and efficiency of detecting and quantifying changes in marine environments.

This position requires a PhD in a relevant field as well as a demonstrated ability to see your research integrated on real robotic systems. Ideally, you will have a strong background and experience working with oceanographic instrumentation, AUVs or other advanced robotic systems. Experience in software development and precision navigation and mapping or pattern recognition systems will also be considered an asset.

Visit www.sydney.edu.au/positions and search by the reference number for more information and to apply.

CLOSING DATE: 15 September 2010

Wanted: NASA-Supported UW Rocketry Team Members

In short, we’re looking for a few good people who are interested in
rocketry, preferably with some (but by no means necessary) model
rocket-design experience, to join the current UW team in participating
in the NASA-supported University Student Launch Initiative (USLI). So
far we have a team of 5, and I would like to get at least 4 more. The
MOST IMPORTANT THING is that you’re interested and driven, because the
competition is a good deal of work, but there are prizes in the form
of cash and items for the winners.

This is an AMAZING opportunity, and I hope that some of you will like
to join us as we move forward. I would love to see some upper-level
engineering majors if possible, electrical, aeronautical, mechanical,
whatever, but if you like rockets or think you’ve ever wanted to work
on one, this is a great way to start out.

What differentiates USLI from other rocketry competition is that not
only must we design and build a reasonably large model rocket, likely
10 feet long and up to 6 inches in diameter, but we must do so while
also designing, constructing, and operating successfully a useful
payload. Historical examples of science payloads the study of noble
gas separation in microgravity, the study of crystallization during
the cooling of molten sodium in microgravity, testing home-build
accelerometers, active air-braking systems, and others. While these
are the more difficult and involved projects, we will likely aim high.
In addition, we will write 4 papers over the course of the year until
April 2011 when we will, as a team, fly to Huntsville, Alabama to fly
our rockets with other university-level teams.

We want our final team decided by September 1st, so I have to ask that
you let me know ASAP if you’re interested, and I’d be happy to talk
with you if you’d like more details. Feel free to forward this to
anyone you think might be interested!

Thanks so much for your time,
Julian Picard
jpicard@uw.edu

UW Lavin Entrepreneurial Action Program

Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is a dynamic union of innovation and opportunity, passion and vision, risk and reward.
Lavin Entrepreneurial Action Program prepares a select group of entering University of Washington undergraduate students, of all majors, for entrepreneurial careers. The program works with students with a passion for entrepreneurship from all disciplines to expose them to the risks and rewards of entrepreneurship - all in a safe environment. Students will graduate with a comprehensive understanding of entrepreneurship in its various forms, including experience in starting and running their own company, and a summer internship in an early-stage firm. The Lavin Program integrates students into the local entrepreneurial community by providing networking opportunities and experienced mentors.
By combining entrepreneurship courses with opportunities for practical experience, Lavin students will have the experience, skills, knowledge and network that will be the foundation for their future business ventures - whether at their own start-up or within a larger, established firm.

CIE accepts up to 20 students into the Lavin Program each year from all disciplines.

Space Remaining! - Great 1-Credit Research Exposed Course

ENROLL IN GEN. ST. 391:Research Exposed!: Approaches to Inquiry
SLN:14266 Section D ! Wednesdays 12:30-1:20 ! OUGL 220 ! 1 credit ! Public Welcome!!!

Looking for a one-credit course that sheds light upon cutting-edge research at the UW? Research Exposed Lecture Series introduces you to current and exciting research in a wide variety of disciplines, including how faculty come up with research ideas, what methods they use to explore research questions, and how undergrads can become involved in the knowledge-making process. This 1-credit course is open to all students--no prerequisites required.

For more information & to check out the autumn quarter lineup of speakers (available soon), visit: http://www.washington.edu/research/urp/courses/researchexposed

Questions? Contact the staff of the Undergraduate Research Program at urp@uw.edu