PhD Studentship: Machine Learning for Affective Computing

Project title: Machine Learning for Affective Computing  

Supervisory Team: Asst. Prof. Dr. Zhiwu Huang, Prof. Dr. Adam Prugel-Bennett

Project description

This PhD project explores machine learning techniques for affective computing that automates the process of recognizing, interpreting and simulating human affects (e.g. facial emotion generation). The motivation of this project is that the current affective computing domain suffers from remarkable expenses and ambiguities on manual annotations. Accordingly, this project focuses on developing novel generative machine learning models to simultaneously synthesize expressions of emotions and learn the emotion label space, by training the machine learning models over either publicly available data or collected data in the group. The learned label space is expected to be interpretable, complete, and continuous to represent both pure and mixed emotions precisely. Meanwhile, the learned continuous label space enables us to produce more plenary expressions of emotions. Therefore, this project will establish a novel direction that machines can automatically learn a more universal emotion labelling system as well as generating more complete expressions of emotions. This project allows for the access to Iridis 5, the University of Southampton’s recently upgraded supercomputer, considered one of the most powerful in the UK. In this project, the student will gain a deep understanding of novel algorithms in computer vision, machine learning, affective computing and generative modelling.

Successful candidates are expected to have a strong background in computer science and preference would be given to those with good understanding of computer vision, machine learning, and good programming skills. You will join the School of Electronics and Computer Science that is ranked 1st in the UK for Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Guardian University Guide 2022) at the University of Southampton which is ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide. You will be supervised by world leading academics in their field and join an extraordinary and vibrant team of postdoctoral researchers and other PhD students. The student will also benefit from our significant networks. For instance, we lead the UKRI TAS Hub, we are part of the Alan Turing Institute, and we run the MINDS CDT. These centres and networks will offer you a valuable opportunity to work with researchers and other stakeholders from a wide range of backgrounds. We will support the development of your future career (networking with more than 100 industry partners and universities across the UK) and provide opportunities to expand your experience and knowledge beyond the topic of the PhD project.

Entry Requirements

A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent).

Closing date: Applications will be considered in the order that they are received, and the position will be considered filled when a suitable candidate has been identified. Applications should be received no later than 31 August 2023.

Funding: For UK students, Tuition Fees and a stipend of £17,668 tax-free per annum for up to 3.5 years.

How To Apply

Apply online: Search for a Postgraduate Programme of Study (soton.ac.uk). Select programme type (Research), 2023/24, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, next page select “PhD Computer Science (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Zhiwu Huang.

Applications should include:

Research Proposal

Curriculum Vitae

Two reference letters

Degree Transcripts/Certificates to date

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk

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