Research Engineer (m/f/div) - NICE Toolbox

Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V.; Tübingen; Vor Ort; EUR 50.000 - 70.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

The Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Tübingen is seeking a Research Engineer for the NICE Toolbox project. This role involves leading the development of software tools to enhance non-verbal communication research, utilizing advanced techniques in machine learning and computer vision. You'll collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to create innovative solutions that support the analysis of human behavior and interactions.

Leistungen

Cutting-edge technologies in computer vision

Collaborative working environment with international scientists

Subsidy for the Deutschland-Jobticket

Possibility of mobile work

Qualifikationen

• Strong academic background in computer vision and machine learning.
• Programming skills in Python and familiarity with deep learning frameworks.
• Experience with data acquisition from various sensors.

Aufgaben

• Lead the development and extension of the NICE Toolbox.
• Maintain, extend, and test the computer vision software.
• Publish open-source datasets for the scientific community.

Kenntnisse

Python

CMake

OpenCV

PyTorch

Streamlit

ReRun

Computer vision

Machine learning

Ausbildung

PhD or MSc in Computer Vision or Machine Learning

Jobbeschreibung

The Optics & Sensing Laboratory (OSLab) at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Tübingen (Germany) has an open position for a

Research Engineer (m/f/div) - NICE Toolbox

for leading the development of the Non-verbal Interpersonal Communication Exploration (NICE) Toolbox.

We are supporting the development of highly realistic human and animal avatars for use in research, film, virtual reality, biology and medicine. Using unique 3D & 4D capture facilities, machine learning, computer vision and advanced graphics, we are modeling humans and animals shape and behavior. In the NICE Toolbox project, we build software for non computer scientists to support the exploration of non-verbal communication by detecting visual movements and behaviors of humans in videos. The aim is to foster better understanding of social interactions and communication patterns between people.

Department website: https://is.mpg.de/de/optics-sensing-laboratory.

Roles & Responsibilities

We are looking for a research engineer to lead the development and extension of Non-verbal Interpersonal Synchrony Communication Exploration Toolbox. The candidate will work in collaboration with researchers from industry and engineers in computer vision. They are expected to have strong skills in software design and development as well as experience in computer vision and machine learning.

The candidate will be responsible for leading the following main project parts:

• Development, support, and application of open-source computer vision software toolbox: https://github.com/OSLabTools/nicetoolbox
• Extension of the aforementioned software for human-to-avatar communication, including creation of data assets and experiments for comparison and analysis
• Invest in existing and new collaborations with researchers and practitioners in psychology, psychotherapy, social machine learning, and related fields

Your tasks will be to:

• Maintain, extend, and test the developed software, e.g., using continuous integration (CI)
• Enhance body tracking, facial expression, gaze intersection algorithms
• Develop evaluation pipelines and tools in the field of computer vision and data processing
• Publishing open-source datasets and software tools available for the scientific community
• Develop novel capturing systems to record data on human-to-avatar communication
• Foster the development of communication quality analysis tools in collaborations with research and industry partners
• Oversee and support student assistants who are involved in this project

Education & Experience

• Preferably PhD degree or MSc and strong academic background in the field of computer vision and machine learning
• Strong programming skills including but not limited to Python, CMake, OpenCV, PyTorch, Streamlit, and ReRun
• Experienced in deep learning frameworks
• Experienced with data acquisition from sensors (e.g., biofeedback, IMUs, pressure sensors, and eye-tracker)
• Experienced with software engineering methods and paradigms, including but not limited to continuous integration, unit tests, OOP, and git (e.g., issues, MRs, rebasing, code reviews)
• Good oral and written communication skills in English
• A natural team player and detailed-oriented person

Our offer:

• Working in a multidisciplinary collaborative project at MPI for Intelligent Systems (Tübingen)
• Cutting-edge technologies related to computer vision and multi-sensor system
• An open-minded and motivating working environment with international scientists, engineers and administrative staff
• The salary is paid in accordance with the collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD Bund) and the collective agreement on the federal pay scale (TV EntgO-Bund), according to your qualifications
• We provide a subsidy for the Deutschland-Jobticket (ÖPNV)
• Our connection to a day care center and the possibility of mobile working help you to reconcile family and career.
• The position is for 1 year with the possibility to extend

Application:

Your application has to contain the following:

1. One-page letter answering

• What all the inputs and outputs to/from our toolbox?
• How the output of our toolbox can be applied in different fields of study? Give three examples as well.
• What ar possible issues working with human subject video data and suggestions on how to overcome them?
• What makes you a good fit for this position?

2. Curriculum Vitae (with 3 references)

3. GitHub account showing us you programming skills

Please send the requested documents in a single PDF file via our application portal.

Applications without these documents including the letter will not be considered.

Any questions regarding the position should be forwarded to Dr. Senya Polikovsky at [e-mail] or Dr. Keiko Kitagawa at [e-mail].

The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. The Max Planck Society strives for gender equality and diversity. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in its workforce in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply.