Skip to main content

This job has expired

PhD Studentship: 3D mapping of geometrically complex seafloor infrastructures using marine vehicles

Employer
Global Academy Jobs
Location
United Kingdom
Closing date
May 9, 2018

Job Details

PhD Studentship: 3D mapping of geometrically complex seafloor infrastructures using marine vehicles

Engineering & the Environment

Location: Highfield Campus

Closing Date:  Wednesday 09 May 2018

Reference: 869517F2

Project Reference: CDT-SIS-307

The aim of this Ph.D. is to develop instruments and methods to generate high-resolution, georeferenced maps of geometrically complex deep-seafloor energy infrastructures, such as those used in the oil and gas industry, using an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV).

Decommissioning is the final chapter in the lifecycle of all sub-sea infrastructure, which often spans >20 years from fabrication and installation. The projected expenditure for decommissioning of ageing and retired seafloor installations in the UK continental shelf is estimated at >£30bn with >8,000 installations in the North-sea alone. As a result, methods to efficiently map seafloor installations are in need for effective planning and informed decision making regarding decommissioning activities.

The aim of this project is to

• develop a full field immersive 3D camera system that can be used to navigate through and map environments with large vertical structures and overhangs, and

• develop a simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) algorithm to determine the AUV’s position and generate dimensionally accurate 3D reconstructions of the environment.

The first part of the project will modify an existing visual mapping instrument to map the seafloor so that it can perceive vertical and overhanging structures around the AUV. The second part of the project will develop a SLAM algorithm that can handle the measurements made by the sensor and leverage some prior, imperfect knowledge about the individual units present on the seafloor and their arrangement, i.e. a rough map. An important aspect of this is to not over constrain the solution, since prior information is likely to contain inaccuracies due to imperfectly documented deviations from initial plans during infrastructure installation and changes during maintenance as well as undocumented changes due to corrosion, damage and sedimentation.

We are looking for a student with a 1st Class Masters-level or equivalent qualification in engineering, who is willing to participate in research expeditions at sea and travel abroad for several weeks to work with overseas institutes. The student should be familiar with electronics and programming (python and C++) and will be trained in computer vision and probabilistic methods for localisation and mapping.

This is a Ph.D. funded at UK/EU rates with stipend. Candidates must apply via: http://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/how-to-apply/postgraduate-applications.page.

Shortlisting of candidates will take place in May 2017. Interviews will be held in June 2017.

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Dr Blair Thornton, Email: B.Thornton@soton.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 23 8059 7322

This project is being run in participation with the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Infrastructure Systems (View Website). For details of our 4 Year PhD programme and further projects, please see http://www.cdt-sis.soton.ac.uk/

Further details:

  • Job Description and Person Specification

Company

Global Academy Jobs works with over 250 universities worldwide to promote academic mobility and international research collaboration. Global problems need international solutions. Our jobs board and emails reach the academics and researchers who can help.

"The globalisation of higher education continues apace, driving in turn the ongoing development of the global knowledge economy, striving for solutions to the world’s problems and educating a next generation of leaders and contributors."

Company info
Website

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert