Interested in joining us?
Research Positions
Two PhD Studentships are expected to be available to start on 1 Oct 2013 for suitably qualified candidates to conduct research leading to the award of a PhD degree in the field of Construction Engineering. The research will be conducted at the Construction Information Technology laboratory that is part of the Laing O'Rourke Centre for Construction Engineering and Technology. The project is funded by the US National Science Foundation, in conjunction with the EU FP7 Marie Curie International Research Staff Exchange Scheme and industry.
The project will explore ways to detect existing infrastructure objects in spatial and visual data for the purpose of automating the generation of as-built geometric infrastructure models. The project will address both construction engineering and computer vision issues and provides the opportunity for a 1-year fully funded visiting studies at Georgia Tech at the beginning for those applicants who wish to extend their knowledge base in computing prior to engaging in research; thus the candidates missing background in computer vision can gain it if they are prepared to travel to the US for a short period.
The candidate should be qualified to at least first degree level with an upper second or first class honours degree in an appropriate branch of Engineering (e.g. Civil, Information, Electrical, Mechanical) or Computer Science. The studentships are funded, covering maintenance, College and University fees (home or overseas), and continuation of funding is subject to annual performance review.
Applications comprising a detailed CV, cover letter and the names and addresses of two referees should be sent by email to Dr Ioannis Brilakis
(ib340@eng.cam.ac.uk), by 3rd June 2013. Dr Brilakis would also welcome informal enquiries. The successful applicant will be required
subsequently to submit a standard application to the University (GRADSAF): http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/students/gradadmissions/prospec/
INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE RESEARCHERS
By the laboratory director
This information is addressed to prospective young researchers who would like to join the CIT laboratory. Please read it carefully before submitting your application and verify that it fits your needs. I accept into the CIT laboratory every year a limited number of prospective student researchers and post docs based on the lab's current projects and funding availability. Candidates are expected to have a basic understanding and significant interest in relevant civil engineering and programming disciplines commensurate with their level of studies. This includes the following:
- Civil Engineering: information technology for construction engineering and management, intelligent automation of construction tasks, project control systems and construction databases.
- Programming: basic programming skills in functional and/or object oriented languages, preferably in C#, C++, Visual Basic, or Java.
It is understood that the actual knowledge may vary on a case by case basis. Also, most incoming student researchers refresh and enhance their knowledge on these subjects in their first year at CIT. Hence, you are not required to know everything, but you must have at least basic knowledge of some of these subjects. You should also be willing to pick up some additional knowledge or refresh existing ones when required.
I expect you to be able to work with a large degree of independence (with proper supervision, of course), and to solve all small problems on your own. Normally, we organize group meetings each week to discuss the progress made and potential problems/solutions.
The most important thing is that you have to be really interested in your research area. Hence, your first task is to study all the relevant information on this website and, if necessary, contact me for more information. When working with enthusiasm, results can be achieved much faster than when just doing work to graduate. I expect that you have a certain degree of enthusiasm and that you are interested more in learning than in simply getting a degree.
The lab's main research focus is visual and spatial pattern recognition for construction engineering and management, which belongs to the broader area of construction information technology. This area (ConIT) has steadily gained popularity since the late 90s and its impact in the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Facilities Management (AEC/FM) Industries is becoming more apparent with time.
Information technology for visual and spatial data is new and, hence, many new discoveries are to be made.
You may take a part in it.
I normally invite every promising applicant for a phone interview. The purpose of the interview is to make sure that you have appropriate knowledge and skills, a piece of enthusiasm, and that you are ready to attack a complex problem with a reasonable probability of success. It is very important that you have a proper background so you are able to finish your work on time and to avoid any disappointment.
If you wish to do your graduate studies under my supervision, you should have a good grade average especially on related courses and competitive test scores. If this is the case, please apply to our graduate program at the University of Cambridge (http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/students/gradadmissions/prospec/ ) and indicate me as your potential supervisor. If you do so, however, please send me an email, indicating your application confirmation when you receive it). Funding is available on a case by case basis to outstanding students (i.e. that satisfied the above criteria). Due to a large number of applications, I will contact only competitive applicants.