Research Assistant (Building a Local AI Personalized assistant for Hand Drawn...

Nanyang Technological University; Singapore; On-site; SGD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Nanyang Technological University's School of Art, Design and Media in Singapore seeks a Research Assistant to build a local, privacy-safe AI workflow for a renowned hand-drawn animator during a two-month residency. You will set up local AI models, train LoRAs/ControlNets, and create a simple interface for the artist to operate independently.

The role requires a Bachelor’s in Animation or related field and hands-on experience with ComfyUI, local AI deployments, and Gradio interfaces.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with ComfyUI and local AI deployments (Automatic1111, Forge, etc.).
• Experience training LoRAs and ControlNets.

Responsibilities

• Set up and optimize local AI models (Stable Diffusion/ComfyUI) on workstation hardware.
• Train LoRAs and ControlNets on artist's sketches and scans.
• Package the workflow into presets or lightweight front-end for non-technical user.
• Provide on-site technical support during residency (14 Sept – 13 Nov 2026).
• Document architecture and user feedback for final report.

Skills

ComfyUI

Local AI deployments

Gradio interface

Education

Bachelor's degree in Animation

Tools

Automatic1111

Forge

GPU optimization

Job description

School of Art, Design and Media (ADM) is a premier creative hub in Singapore, renowned for combining art, technology, and design. We are seeking a Research Assistant to work on an exciting project using ComfyUI to build a personalized, local AI assistant for a hand-drawn animation artist. You will support world-renowned animator Professor Raimund Krumme during his two-month residency at ADM (Mid Sept–Mid Nov 2026), helping to bring his strictly analogue, ink-and-brush process into a local, privacy-safe AI workflow — one that is genuinely simple for a non-technical artist to pick up and use.

Key Responsibilities:

• Set up and optimize local, open-source AI models (Stable Diffusion/ComfyUI) on high-end workstation hardware, with no cloud dependency.
• Train local LoRAs and ControlNets on a curated archive of the artist's analogue sketches and scans.
• Package the ComfyUI workflow into a simple, easy-to-run form (e.g. presets, node groups, or a lightweight Gradio front-end) that the artist can operate independently.
• Provide on-the-ground technical support during Prof. Krumme's residency (14 Sept – 13 Nov 2026).
• Document the system architecture and user-testing feedback for the final research report.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Animation, Film Studies, Media Studies or a related discipline.
• Hands-on experience with ComfyUI and local AI deployments (Automatic1111, Forge, etc.), including training LoRAs/ControlNets.
• Understanding of local hardware optimization (GPU/VRAM management).
• Comfortable putting together a simple working interface for a workflow (e.g. Gradio) — no formal UX/UI design background required.
• Able to translate an artist's creative intent into technical parameters, with patience for working with a non-technical collaborator.

We regret to inform that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.