PHD Student* Development of Neural Networks for unique Wood Identification

Conteúdo do emprego

YOU ARE INTERESTED IN APPLIED MATHEMATICS AND MICROSTRUCTURE ANALYSIS? THE DEPARTMENT »IMAGE PROCESSING« AT THE FRAUNHOFER INSTITUTE FOR INDUSTRIAL MATHEMATICS (ITWM) IN KAISERSLAUTERN IS OFFERING A POSITION AS A

PHD STUDENT*

DEVELOPMENT OF NEURAL NETWORKS FOR UNIQUE WOOD IDENTIFICATION

The department »Image Processing« at the Fraunhofer ITWM develops mathematical models and algorithms on basis of individual image processing solutions for current problems in production, medical technology and materials sciences in close collaboration with industrial clients and research institutions.

In 2013, Germany committed to preventing the import and distribution of illegal wood species and to implementing the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora in this regard. This requires, among other things, a clear identification of the wood species in the various materials and products made from wood.

Within the scope of the research project, an optical image recognition system for the determination of wood species in fibrous materials (pulp, paper/products) is to be developed in order to be able to fulfil the required declaration obligations with regard to species identification in accordance with the European Timber Trade Regulation (EUTR) in the trade and to be able to verify them on a larger scale.

The clear recognition and delimitation of these structural characteristics for a doubtless wood species identification currently requires a well-founded scientific training/expertise and, above all, access to proven reference preparations. Our cooperation partner, the Thünen-Institute for Wood Research, has more than 50,000 reference specimens at its disposal.

Your tasks:
What you can expect from us The department Image Processing of Fraunhofer-ITWM has been successfully involved in the development of mathematical models, image analysis algorithms and AI methods as well as their implementation in software suitable for industrial use for a long time. The task in the PhD-scholarship will be to develop neural networks for unambiguous wood identification based on high-resolution microscope images and to contrast these with microstructure analysis methods. The PhD will take place in close cooperation with the experts of the Thünen-Institute.

What we expect from you.

• superior University degree in (Applied) Mathematics with relevant recess in statistics, image processing, mathematical modelling of material structures
• graduates* of related disciplines such as Physics, Computer Science, or Materials Science are also welcome.
• independent and goal-oriented working
• willingness to familiarize oneself with new issues as well as to implement models and concepts in algorithms and software
• willingness to present the results in German and English at national and international conferences

What you can expect from us
The scholarship is limited to 3 years.

In case of identical qualifications preference will be given to severely disabled candidates. We would like to point out that the chosen job title also includes the third gender. The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft emphasises gender-independent professional equality.

The Fraunhofer ITWM shows an extraordinary commitment to a family-friendly work environment for its employees: flexible working and parental leave times, day-care, the possibility of a home office, organization of health days and sports activities as well as a parent-child office make the Fraunhofer ITWM in Kaiserslautern an attractive employer.

Fraunhofer is Europe’s largest application-oriented research organization. Our research efforts are geared entirely to people’s needs: health, security, communication, energy and the environment. As a result, the work undertaken by our researchers and developers has a significant impact on people’s lives. We are creative. We shape technology. We design products. We improve methods and techniques. We open up new vistas.

Have we aroused your interest?
Then apply online by October 31st, 2021 at:
https://bit.ly/3BJCCxV

Questions about this position will be answered by:
Markus Rauhut
markus.rauhut@itwm.fraunhofer.de

Fraunhofer-Institut für Techno- und Wirtschaftsmathematik
Fraunhofer-Platz 1
67663 Kaiserslautern

Information about the Institute can be found on the Internet at:
www.itwm.fraunhofer.de