I am looking for a postdoc to join my research group Graphics, Vision & Video at the Max-Planck-Institute (MPI) for Informatics. The position is for two years, with the possibility of extension, and can be filled immediately.

The postdoc will work with me on my research project CapReal which is funded through an ERC Starting Grant. The goal of this far reaching project is to rethink the basic algorithmic concepts of marker-less dynamic (4D) scene reconstruction, performance capture and 3D Video. We develop new 4D reconstruction methods that, unlike current approaches, capture detailed models of dynamic shape and appearance (e.g. of humans, human faces or general dynamic scenes) in complex real world environments outside of the a lab using only a low number of cameras. We also work on new algorithms for image-based estimation of lighting and reflectance in general uncontrolled scenes, and we utilize these estimates for improved dynamic scene reconstruction, high quality shape estimation, and relighting. In CapReal, we further develop new representations for captured dynamic scene models that facilitate editing and modification of data after acquisition.

The postdoc candidate should have experience in one or more of the following areas: multi-view / 3D scene reconstruction methods, 4D reconstruction, marker-less performance capture,marker-less motion capture, tracking algorithms, 3D Video. Additionally, expertise in the following areas is welcome: Reflectance and lighting estimation, general vision for graphics algorithms, machine learning.

Applicants should have a strong research record in the above field(s), as demonstrated by publications in top tier graphics and vision conferences. The candidate should be fluent in written and spoken English and be willing to travel. Full funding and benefits are provided.

About the environment

The Max-Planck-Institute (MPI) for Informatics (www.mpi-inf.mpg.de) is one of the world's leading research institutes in Computer Science in general, and Visual Computing in particular. It is located on the campus of Saarland University in Saarbruecken, Germany. MPI for Informatics is embedded in a unique cluster of computer science research, with over 70 faculty members and close to 400 PhD students across all institutions. In immediate neighborhood on campus, there are several other computer science research institutes of world renown with which close collaborations exist: The Computer Science Department of Saarland University, the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), the Max-Planck-Institute for Software Systems, the Institute for Bioinformatics, the Excellence Cluster Multimodal Computing and Interaction, and the new Federal Center for IT Security, Privacy and Accountability (CISPA). The Leibniz Center for Informatics in Schloss Dagstuhl (www.informatik-saarland.de) is also located nearby. The Intel Visual Computing Institute (IVCI) on campus further strenghtens the visual computing research focus in Saarbruecken. The group Graphics, Vision & Video is affiliated with it and maintains a close collaboration with the IVCI.

Please send a complete application package, including a CV, transcripts and certificates, and the contacts of two referees to

Prof. Dr. Christian Theobalt
MPI for Informatics
theobalt@mpi-inf.mpg.de