Missions

We are looking for a research engineer on a fixed-term contract in the field of algorithms for image processing, for a duration of 24 months. The work will take place within the IMAGE team of the GREYC laboratory, in Caen, France. It will be supervised by David Tschumperlé (CNRS Research Scientist, HDR, Team Leader), Julien Rabin (Associate Professor at ENSICAEN), and Romain Hérault (Professor at UNICAEN).

Activities

This recruitment is part of the IArtist project, a research initiative funded by the Normandy region, with a total duration of three years. The project's goal is to study various aspects of artistic expertise in the field of digital graphic creation, explicitly model them algorithmically, and integrate them into state-of-the-art artificial intelligence methods for image and video generation (and more generally, into digital tools for artistic creation assistance). The aim is to make these digital tools lighter, more interactive, and the associated algorithms more explainable.

We build upon over 20 years of expertise in algorithmic research for image processing and more than 15 years of experience in developing open-source software dedicated to image processing and graphic creation. Our software, developed within the GREYC laboratory in Caen, enables us to engage in rich interactions with digital artists worldwide, including photographers, illustrators, digital painters, and video creators. The idea behind this project is to leverage these unique interactions to design and study the fundamental building blocks of neural network architectures that could shape the generative neural networks of tomorrow.

Skills

The candidate must hold a PhD with a specialization in image processing and machine learning. They should demonstrate strong skills in algorithm programming (Python, possibly C++) and be comfortable working with standard Python libraries for machine learning.

Work Context

The GREYC laboratory (Research Group in Computer Science, Image, Automation, and Instrumentation of Caen) is a joint research unit associated with the CNRS (primarily with INS2I and secondarily with INSIS), the University of Caen Normandy (UNICAEN), and the National Graduate School of Engineering of Caen (ENSICAEN). Founded in 1995 (becoming a CNRS UMR in 2000) through the merger of several research teams in computer science and electronics, the laboratory comprises 160 members, including 81 researchers and faculty members, as well as 19 ITA-BIATSS staff.

The GREYC conducts fundamental, methodological, and applied research in various areas of digital sciences. It is recognized for its original contributions, hardware and software developments, experimental validations, and interdisciplinary collaborations. The laboratory is primarily hosted by its academic institutions on the Caen Campus 2 site (Faculty of Sciences and ENSICAEN).

Research is mainly carried out within its teams, which play a significant role in the regional, national, and international scientific landscape. The research activities of the GREYC Image team focus on developing new methods for processing and analyzing signals, images, videos, and discrete data. The team aims to address theoretical, algorithmic, methodological, and practical challenges. Many of these methods are applied to solving real-world problems, particularly through collaborations with biomedical imaging research centers in the Normandy region.

The position is located in a sector under the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST), and therefore requires, in accordance with the regulations, that your arrival is authorized by the competent authority of the MESR.

Constraints and risks

Work on a laptop + Use of computing servers. No particular risks.