Research Scientist Intern, Audio, Numerical Acoustics (PhD)

Meta; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Meta is seeking a PhD candidate for a 12- to 24-week internship in Reality Labs Research focused on advanced audio research. You will design and optimize novel algorithms, run experiments, and collaborate across acoustic engineering and software teams to advance perceptual audio and related technologies.

The role emphasizes collaboration with researchers, implementation of research ideas, and clear communication of results within cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a PhD in acoustics, CS, ME, EE or related STEM field.
• 1+ years experience with wave phenomena, acoustic simulation, numerical modeling, or AI/deep learning applied to numerical methods.
• Coding in C/C++, CUDA C/C++, MPI, OpenMP, Python or MATLAB.
• Expertise in numerical acoustics, wave-based modeling, and ML integration.
• Strong math: linear algebra, computational physics, numerical methods, statistics.
• Experience with parallel computing and large-scale data/compute systems.
• Psychoacoustics, deep learning, and DSP fundamentals experience.
• Cross-function teamwork and intent to return to degree program after internship.

Responsibilities

• Design, document, implement, and optimize novel audio algorithms.
• Experimental design to evaluate new audio technologies.
• Collaborate with researchers across audio and acoustic engineering.
• Work with software engineers to integrate research and algorithms.
• Communicate research agenda, progress, and results.

Skills

Wave phenomena

Acoustic simulation

Numerical modeling

Deep learning numerics

C/C++

CUDA C/C++

Python

Education

PhD candidate in Acoustics/CS/ME/EE

Tools

MPI

OpenMP

Python

Job description

About

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.facebook.com/reality-labs/. 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.

Responsibilities

• Design, document, implement, integrate, and optimize novel algorithms to solve audio research problems.
• Experimental design, implementation, and execution to evaluate new audio technologies.
• Collaboration with and support of other researchers across audio and acoustic engineering disciplines.
• Collaborate with other software engineers in the team to seamlessly integrate, solve, or optimize research and/or algorithms.
• Communication of research agenda, progress, and results.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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
• 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 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
• Strong mathematical fundamentals, including linear algebra, computational physics, numerical methods, statistical analysis, computer graphics
• Experience with parallel computing, algorithm design, data structures, and/or large-scale data/compute systems
• Proven experience with psychoacoustics, deep learning techniques, and/or DSP fundamentals
• 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
• 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