Postdoc Researcher in Physics-based Character Animation

POSTDOC RESEARCHER IN PHYSICS-BASED CHARACTER ANIMATION
JOB DESCRIPTION
Artanim (http://artanim.ch/) is looking for a postdoc researcher in Physics-based character
animation. We offer a full-time, 4-year position, starting in the fall of 2024 or early 2025, a
Swiss competitive salary and options to become a researcher in a permanent position.
The successful candidate will have the following responsibilities:

• To develop and test new methods for the control of virtual humanoids in Mujoco, using
  primarily deep reinforcement learning methods but also, within the duration of the
  project, open to other strategies.
• Collaborate with other researchers to test these in virtual reality behavioural studies
  involving human-character interaction in cooperative scenarios. This will include
  exploring the impact of the virtual humanoids in terms of human attention, curiosity
  and learning, in collaboration with neuroscience and psychology researchers at the
  University of Geneva.
• Publish the results of your research at relevant conferences or journals.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The position is available within the Artanim Foundation. The foundation has many years of
experience in R&D related to VR/AR, real time interactive and animation, and motion capture
applications from different technologies. It also has a unique track record in converting these
technologies into high quality, multi-user VR experiences. The applicant will join a modern
R&D lab of moderate size, equipped with cutting-edge motion capture technologies and a
growing research team exploring the use of virtual humanoids in VR experiences.
Artanim was founded in 2011 and is a non-profit research foundation dedicated to the
promotion and development of motion capture technologies in the medical and virtual reality
fields. The offices are located in Meyrin (Switzerland) near Geneva, an international city
which provides an outstanding quality of life and opportunities all around the year.
PROFILE OF THE CANDIDATE
The candidate has a PhD or equivalent experience on physics-based character animation,
robotics or a related field, and is at ease with topics such as real-time 3D character
animation, mathematics and machine learning.
Essential:

• A PhD degree, or equivalent experience of R&D in Computer Science, Engineering,
  Mathematics or equivalent.
• Experience in machine learning, humanoid control and/or robotic simulations.

Fondation Artanim 40, chemin du Grand-Puits - 1217 Meyrin Tel. +41 22 980 91 92 Write an email www.artanim.ch

Desired:

• Experience using Mujoco.
• Experience using JAX.
• Publications in relevant conferences and journals.

Good to have:

• Experience in social robotics.
• Experience using Nividia’s Isaac Gym.
• Experience in optical motion capture (body, face and/or fingers capture).
• Experience using Unity3D or solutions in modern game engines such as
  Unreal/CryEngine/etc.
• Good interpersonal communication and collaboration skills.
• Good spoken and written English.
• Swiss national, European citizen or holder of permit B / C / G.

HOW TO APPLY

Candidates should send:

• A one-page CV in English. It should include a short list of relevant projects or
  publications (or a link to a personal web detailing those).
• A short cover letter in English explaining why you are interested in this position
  together with the name of two people who have worked with you (a supervisor, a co-
  author, a colleague) that we may contact.

The compiled material should be sent in PDF format to Dr. Caecilia Charbonnier, Research
Director, Write an email and Dr Joan Lloberajoan.llobera@artanim.ch/p>

Don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions you might have. For more information
about Artanim, please refer to www.artanim.ch
Fondation Artanim 40, chemin du Grand-Puits - 1217 Meyrin Tel. +41 22 980 91 92 Write an email www.artanim.ch