PhD Studentship Semi-Supervised Learning for Document and Image Classification for Security Printing and Imaging Applications

Technological innovations have revolutionised the process of scientific research and knowledge discovery. They allow us to collect a huge amount of data with relatively low cost.  The aim of this project is to develop connections between Document Data Mining and Semi-Supervised Learning.

We are looking to develop new algorithms, techniques and methods and apply them for secure document lifecycle applications to enhance current and future Hewlett-Packard products and services.

This prestigious 3.5 year studentship is part of collaboration between the Cardiff School of Mathematics and Hewlett-Packard Laboratories. This PhD is ideal for a highly motivated student who is looking to apply their computational and analytical skills to questions within Data Mining and Industry Applications.

The project is jointly supervised by an international team located Cardiff and Bristol (UK) and Ft. Collins, Colorado, USA. During the project, we will have joint meetings every three months in Cardiff University and in Hewlett-Packard Laboratories, Bristol, to report on progress and current activities. The student will also spend at least four days every month at the Hewlett-Packard site to collaborate with researchers.

PhD Finding:

The project is jointly funded by Hewlett-Packard Laboratories and EPSRC Doctoral Training Grant from Cardiff School of Mathematics. Full funding is available for UK/EU candidates only.

Candidate Requirements

Candidates should:

• either have a first honours degree in mathematics or computer science;


• or have a Masters qualification with distinction in a relevant discipline.

Ideally the candidate should have excellent mathematical and computing skills.

Programming skills: Java, C/C++, Matlab, Python (optional)

Contact details

Please direct applications in the following format to the project lead, Prof Alexander Balinsky (BalinskyA@cardiff.ac.uk) with  the subject of the e-mail "PhD Application Cardiff-HP":

• A CV, including full details of all University course grades to date.


• Contact details for two academic or professional referees.


• A personal statement (750 words maximum) outlining your suitability for the study, what you hope to achieve from the PhD and your research experience to date.

Any enquiries relating to the project and/or suitability should be directed to Prof Alexander Balinsky at the address above. Applications are invited up to and including Friday 13^th May, 2011.