Research Scientist Intern, Audio, Numerical Acoustics (PhD)

Meta; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

Meta Reality Labs Research invites interns to join its audio team for 12–24 weeks, aligning applicants' skills with current needs in numerically modeling acoustics, wave phenomena, and psychoacoustics. The program supports collaboration across researchers, developers, and engineers to advance AR/VR audio experiences.

Interns work on multiple projects, including wave-based acoustic modeling and machine learning-based enhancement, with flexible start dates and potential for continued collaboration

Qualifications

• 1+ years experience with wave phenomena and acoustic simulation.
• Coding in one or more languages including C/C++, CUDA C/C++, MPI, OpenMP, Python, or MATLAB.
• Pursuing a PhD in Acoustics, CS, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering or related STEM field.
• Strong mathematical fundamentals: linear algebra, numerical methods, computational physics.

Skills

C/C++ (≥ v.11)

CUDA C/C++

Python

MATLAB

Parallel computing

Deep learning

DSP fundamentals

Psychoacoustics

Education

PhD in Acoustics/CS/ME/EE

Tools

MPI

OpenMP

Raytracing

Job description

The Meta Reality Labs Research Team brings together a world-class 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. And just as personal computers have done over the past 45 years, AR, VR and MR will ultimately change everything about how we work, play, and connect. 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 interfaces, 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, VR and MR that are so compelling that they become an integral part of our lives.

In particular, the Meta Reality Labs Research audio team is focused on two goals; creating virtual sounds that are perceptually indistinguishable from reality, and redefining human hearing. See more about our work here: https://tech.fb.com/inside-facebook-reality-labs-research-the-future-of-audio/. These two initiatives will allow us to connect people by allowing them to feel together despite being physically apart, and allow them to converse in even the most difficult listening environments.

Specific projects will be designed in collaboration with successful applicants to align the intern’s skills and experience with current research needs. Our internships are twelve (12) to twenty-four (24) weeks long and we have various start dates throughout the year. 1+ years experience working with wave phenomena, acoustic simulation techniques, numerical modeling, applied numerical mathematics, physics-based modeling, or AI/deep learning applied to numerical methods Coding experience in one or more languages, including but not limited to: C/C++ (≥ v.11), CUDA C/C++, MPI, OpenMP, Python, or MATLAB Expertise in one or more of the below research areas: Numerical Simulation of Acoustics such as Raytracing and/or Wave-based modeling techniques, Spatial Rendering, Vibroacoustics, Verification and Validation (V&V) of mathematical models, augmenting numerical modeling with machine learning / deep learning techniques Must obtain work authorization in the country of employment at the time of hire and maintain ongoing work authorization during employment Currently has, or is in the process of obtaining a PhD degree in the field of Acoustics, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or related STEM fields Strong mathematical fundamentals, including linear algebra, computational physics, numerical methods, statistical analysis, computer graphics. Experience with parallel computing, algorit Experience training, evaluating and benchmarking audio ML models trained on different acoustic simulation data generation methods Experience with parallel computing, algorithm design, data structures, and/or large-scale data/compute systems Demonstrated experience with physical modeling (particularly in the context of waves and acoustics) with a strong, intuitive understanding of core physics concepts—including the physical interpretation of mathematical operators and the ability to connect mathematical formulations to real-world phenomena. Proven experience with psychoacoustics, deep learning techniques, and/or DSP fundamentals Proven track record of achieving results as demonstrated in accepted papers in top conferences or journals such as DAFx, WASPAA, Journal of Computational Acoustics, JASA, JAES, Journal of Computational Physics, ICASSP, etc Experience working and communicating cross functionally in a team environment Intent to return to a degree-program after the completion of the internship/co-op