PhD Research Scientist, Computational Imaging for VR/AR

Bytedance; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 123,000 - 317,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid parental leave

Disability coverage

Life insurance

Wellbeing benefits

Holiday, sick days, and paid personal

Job summary

Pico is seeking a Research Scientist Graduate (Computational Imaging) for a 2027 start in San Jose. You will work on next‑generation imaging algorithms across camera to display in VR/MR/AR products, developing prototypes and validating approaches using ML frameworks, with hands‑on data collection and hardware experiments.

The role emphasizes imaging/photography expertise, opportunity to shape imaging roadmap, and collaboration across camera, optics, ISP, and software teams.

Qualifications

• Individuals who are completing or have recently completed PhD degree in Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, Imaging Science, Optical Engineering, Color Science, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Explore and develop computational imaging, computational photography, and multimodal technologies for VR/MR/AR products.
• Research emerging approaches and rapidly translate promising ideas into prototypes using machine learning frameworks and AI-assisted development tools.
• Work hands‑on with cameras, sensors, and AR/XR hardware platforms to collect data, analyze system behavior, and debug imaging issues.
• Build proof‑of‑concept demos for image enhancement, intelligent capture, scene understanding, and multimodal features.
• Define clear evaluation methods and automated feedback loops to iteratively improve algorithms and features.
• Collaborate with teams across camera, optics, ISP, display, AI, software, hardware, silicon, and product development.

Skills

Image processing

Computer vision

Computational photography

Machine learning

Python

MATLAB

C/C++

Hands-on hardware experiments

Education

PhD in Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, Imaging Science, Optical Engineering, Color Science

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

CNNs

Transformers

Diffusion models

GANs

Job description

Pico is seeking a Research Scientist Graduate (Computational Imaging) for a 2027 start in San Jose. You will work on next‑generation imaging algorithms across camera to display in VR/MR/AR products, developing prototypes and validating approaches using ML frameworks, with hands‑on data collection and hardware experiments.

The role emphasizes imaging/photography expertise, opportunity to shape imaging roadmap, and collaboration across camera, optics, ISP, and software teams.