Research Scientist Intern, Applied Vision (PhD)

Meta • Redmond, WA

83d • $7,650 - $12,134

About The Position

Reality Labs brings together a broad team of researchers, developers, and engineers to create the future of virtual and augmented reality, which together will become as universal and essential as smartphones and personal computers are today. We are developing all the technologies needed to enable breakthrough AR glasses and VR headsets, including optics and displays, computer vision, audio, graphics, brain-computer interface, haptic interaction, eye/hand/face/body tracking, perception science, and true telepresence. Some of those will advance much faster than others, but they all need to happen to enable AR and VR that are so compelling that they become an integral part of our lives. Join the Display Systems Research (DSR) team, whose work spans next-generation VR headsets, new types of computational displays, novel experimental systems, and AI-driven graphics. We are seeking a research scientist intern to work at the intersection of basic and applied science with the goal of passing the Visual Turing test. Members of our team have the opportunity to collaborate with academic institutions and publish their work. Projects can be studied with a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach thanks to internal resources in mechanical, electrical, optical, and software engineering. The ideal applicant for this role is either an expert in visual perception with engineering and coding experience or an applied graphics or hardware researcher with past projects related to visual perception and vision science. Our internships are twelve (12) to twenty-four (24) weeks long and we have various start dates throughout the year.

Requirements

• In the process of obtaining a PhD degree in Vision Science, Computer Graphics, or related field.
• Experience designing, conducting, and analyzing the results of psychophysical experiments related to visual perception, computer graphics, and/or display systems.
• Experience with scientific programming languages (e.g., Python and Matlab) including their use to script psychophysical experiments.
• Must obtain work authorization in the country of employment at the time of hire and maintain ongoing work authorization during employment.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience leveraging vision science data and principles to guide visual perception research in applied settings, especially for head-mounted displays.
• Experience with Unity/C#, particularly including the development of psychophysical experiments.
• Experience with C++ (or similar) programming languages, as demonstrated by software engineering experience via an internship, work experience, coding competitions, or PhD papers.
• Experience working with benchtop stereoscopic displays, head-mounted displays, or other hardware to study the visual system (e.g., novel 3D display systems including highly precise perspective-correct or multifocal plane displays, adaptive optics systems, mobile 3D environment mapping systems with gaze tracking, and advanced eye tracking systems).
• Proven track record of achieving significant results as demonstrated by grants, fellowships, patents, as well as first-authored publications at leading workshops or conferences such as Journal of Vision, SIGGRAPH, UIST, Current Biology, and PNAS.
• Experience working and communicating cross functionally in a team environment.
• Intent to return to degree-program after the completion of the internship.

Responsibilities

• Work on topics in vision science (image quality, motion perception, binocular vision, eye movements, color vision, multisensory cue combination, etc.) to support novel research in AR/VR head-mounted display technologies.
• Conceive, develop, and conduct psychophysical user studies on both benchtop testbeds and head-mounted prototypes to help guide emerging AR/VR display technologies.
• Conceive and develop novel simulations and models of visual perception to help guide emerging AR/VR display technologies.
• Collaborate and communicate with scientists and engineers across a variety of disciplines to design vision science studies in an applied context.

Benefits

• $7,650/month to $12,134/month + benefits
• Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
• In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Industry: Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree