Research Assistant / Ph.d. Student (All Genders)

We are looking for a motivated candidate to join the 3D Graphics & Vision lab at the Computer Science Department at Technical University Darmstadt as

Research Assistant / Ph.D. Student (all genders)

The starting date is as soon as possible and the position is limited to up to three years. The position is classified according to pay group 13 of the TU Darmstadt collective agreement (TV-TU Darmstadt).

Short introduction of the research group:

In the research group 3D Graphics & Vision, you will have the opportunity to carry out cutting-edge research on 3D Computer Graphics, Computer Vision and Machine Learning topics in the area of Digital Humans (the reconstruction and rendering of human appearances and their motion), 3D scanning of objects and scenes (e.g., at room or building level), as well as AI-based Synthesis of images and videos. Exemplary projects of the research group can be found on the website of Prof. Thies (justusthies.github.io).

Your role:

Your role will be to assist and help us to develop new AI-based techniques which simplify the digitization of humans and their environment. Here, the focus will lie on the generalization, the inference speed and quality. The research group is embedded in an international environment with collaborations with other universities, research institutes, and international companies, where we work on interesting research questions which define the way humans will communicate in the digital space (immersive telepresence), do virtual shopping (virtual mirrors, personalized e-commerce) and create content for games or movies.

For this position, we are looking for a candidate that would work on the topic of ‚Generative AI for the Reconstruction of Photo-realistic and animatable 360° Avatars’. Methods have to be explored that can reconstruct a complete avatar of the upper body, while using incomplete observations. To estimate missing or occluded regions, generative AI should be used.

Tasks of the position include:

Research on the topic of the dissertation

• Development of solutions / ideas, estimation of how an approach would perform
• Implementation of prototypes
• Recording of data, collecting data, data annotation
• Writing of resesearch reports, publications
• Attendance of seminars and conferences, presentation of research results

Active participation in the teaching activities of the research group

• Preparation of lecture materials
• Tutorials
• Project supervision (Bachelor-, Mastertheses)

Administrative tasks for research and teaching (e.g., administration of a website)

Qualifications:

• The candidate must hold a University Degree (M.Sc./ Diploma) in Computer Science or an equivalent field or be close to graduate before hiring.
• The research in the field of Computer Vision, Computer Graphics and AI requires an analytic way of thinking, with the capability to execute tasks/experiments in a strucutred way.
• Extensive prior experience with AI-frameworks like PyTorch.
• Programming skills in Python (additionally C/C++ und Cuda/OpenGL is recommended).
• Prior experience and submitted publications in the area of AI-based rendering, and 3D modelling of faces and bodies is a plus.
• Languages: Englisch (speaking/writing as it is the working language in the group), German is a plus.
• Cooperating and working in a team is of paramount importance in the research group.

We offer:

Technical University Darmstadt offers varied and challenging assignments, freedom to work independently, the latest technologies, good collaboration between colleagues in partnership, needs-based training opportunities and customised personnel development.

• Development and organisation – comprehensive in-house training offers, including the opportunity for continuing education and development;
• Annual leave/educational leave – 30 days annual leave (full-time employment) and 5 days educational leave;
• Sustainable and mobile – eligibility to free public transport in the state of Hesse with the LandesTicket Hessen (Hesse StateTicket) in accordance with the currently valid collective agreement, in addition to opportunities to working mobile at times;
• Fit and healthy – free of charge preventive medical check-ups and a wide-ranging subsidised sports programme, work-life balance – flexible working time models, plus BGM (Betriebliches Gesundheitsmanagement – University Health Management);
• Pension scheme – supplementary public service pension scheme (VBL) in accordance with the currently applicable regulations;
• University bicycle
• Family-friendliness/compatibility of family/care/career – (university-run) childcare services, child allowance (based on the collective agreement), childcare programmes during school holidays

Opportunity for further qualification (doctoral dissertation) is given. The fulfillment of the duties likewise enables the scientific qualifications of the candidate.

Technical University of Darmstadt intends to increase the number of female employees and encourages female candidates to apply. In case of equal qualifications applicants with a degree of disability of at least 50 or equal will be given preference. Part-time employment is generally possible.

Point of contact / Application:

The application must be in English and must include: Curriculum Vitae, which must include two professional/academic references (letters of recommendation will be requested, if needed, directly from the references); a 1-page Letter of Motivation, describing your research profile and future plans; documentation of academic degree(s) - Note that if the Master’s degree is not yet achieved, you will have to provide explanation on what exams still remain and provide the expected date of graduation -; Optional: relevant technical reports or scientific publications of the applicant.

Applications without the above-mentioned documents will not be assessed.

Please send inquiries and applications (referencing the code no) to Prof. Justus Thies (justus.thies@tu-darmstadt.de).

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