Neural Rendering of Human Performances
At the Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing (CVSSP), we’re developing exciting and ground-breaking technologies. These include facial recognition for security and medical imaging, and 3D spatial audio and 3D reconstruction from video for visual-effects production in films, games and virtual reality.
Start date
1 October 2025Duration
3 yearsApplication deadline
Funding source
UKRIFunding information
Awards cover UK tuition fees and provide a stipend at the UKRI rate for a period of 3 years. The stipend (Tax-free maintenance payment based on the UKRI minimum rate) is £20,780 from 1 October 2025
As a doctoral student, you may be able to access added funding to cover the cost of training and development.
About
This PhD project will investigate and develop novel approaches for neural rendering of dynamic scenes with an emphasis on high-fidelity editing and rendering of human performance suitable for use by the creative industries. Recent advances in neural rendering have opened the possibility of achieving photorealistic manipulation of image content, however, the extension to the video domain remains challenging due to the need to maintain temporal coherence and due to scalability issues.
Research in this project will investigate how generative AI techniques can be tailored to enable manipulation of human performance from monocular video input for applications such as relighting, shadow casting, appearance/material editing and real-time compositing. The PhD will provide an opportunity to interface with industry partners to collaboratively evaluate the tools developed and contribute to their integration into a production pipeline.
Dr. Jean-Yves Guillemaut (Lead Supervisor), Farshad Einabadi (Second Supervisor) Professor. Adrian Hilton (Third Supervisor), plus Expert Mentor from Abertay University (TBC).
This PhD is aligned with the CoSTAR research themes: AI Futures / Createch Futures
Find out more about CoSTAR and the PhD opportunities.
Eligibility criteria
Open to candidates who pay UK/home rate fees. See UKCISA for further information.
How to apply
Applying Stage 1: Please contact the Lead Supervisor of the PhD opportunity Dr Jean-Yves Guillemaut at j.guillemaut@surrey.ac.uk and work with the Lead Supervisor and supervisory team to send your CV and 500-word Expression of Interest by Friday March 14th, 2025.
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