Research Engineer / Research Engineeress

Research Engineer - Interactive AI Characters Platform

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

The AI Characters team at ETH Zurich's Computer Graphics Laboratory is seeking a Research Engineer to play a pivotal role in the development and maintenance of our interactive AI avatar platforms, including the renowned Digital Einstein. Our work emphasizes lifelike digital humans powered by large language models, affective computing, and real-time rendering, showcased at prestigious international events such as the World Economic Forum, GITEX Global, and Berlin Science Week. More about our research can be explored on the CGL Digital Characters page and the Digital Einstein project page.

Project Background

Digital Einstein serves as our flagship interactive AI avatar, embodying the legendary Albert Einstein as a conversational agent. It is part of a broader suite of AI avatars developed by our team. The system is built on a Unity-based frontend featuring real-time facial and body animations, alongside integrated speech recognition and synthesis, orchestrating large language models for multilingual dialogue management. It has captivated hundreds of thousands of visitors worldwide at significant international events.

We are currently expanding the platform's capabilities in various directions, including:

• Augmented reality (AR) experiences that integrate AI characters into visitors' physical environments.
• A web-based version of Digital Einstein to enhance public accessibility.
• Novel hardware interaction elements for the physical platform (such as tangible interfaces).
• Ongoing improvements to the underlying LLM-driven cognition layer, focusing on story adherence, agency, multimodal perception, and affective responsiveness.

As our team grows, we are in search of a skilled Research Engineer to lead the technical development of these next-generation features and ensure the platform's robustness across all deployment contexts.

Job Description

• Unity frontend development for Digital Einstein: creating AR experiences and maintaining the physical platform; components are designed for reuse across all deployment contexts.
• Python backend development emphasizing LLM integration, including dialogue quality improvement, story adherence, agency, multimodal perception, affective cognition, and multi-turn interaction management.
• Website development to facilitate broader public access to Digital Einstein.
• On-site technical support at national and international events and demonstrations (setup, visitor interaction, troubleshooting), including occasional availability on weekends.
• Optional: development of novel hardware interaction elements for the physical platform (e.g., tangible interfaces).

Profile

• University degree (BSc or MSc) in Computer Science or a closely related field.
• Solid hands-on experience with Unity.
• Experience in augmented reality (AR) development, ideally with ARKit, ARFoundation, ARCore, Meta Quest, or similar frameworks.
• Hands-on experience with large language models and Python-based backend development.
• Experience in web development is a plus.
• Interest in hardware prototyping and interactive installation design is advantageous.
• Reliable, proactive, and comfortable working in a fast-paced research environment, both independently and as part of a team.
• Willingness to provide on-site event support, including occasional weekends.

Workplace

ETH Zurich offers a unique work environment characterized by collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to excellence. You will be part of an internationally diverse team within the Computer Graphics Laboratory, where regular mentoring and close involvement in shaping the platform's technical roadmap will be the norm.

We Value Diversity and Sustainability

ETH Zurich is dedicated to fostering an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity, and nurture an environment where the rights and dignity of all staff and students are respected. Sustainability is a core value for us, and we continuously strive towards a climate-neutral future.

Curious? So Are We.

If you are excited about building the next generation of interactive AI avatars and bringing them to global audiences, we invite you to join our team! Apply online using the form below.

Note: Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

For more information about our research, please visit the CGL Digital Characters page and the Digital Einstein project page. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Rafael Wampfler at rafael.wampfler@inf.ethz.ch.

About ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich is among the world's leading universities specializing in science and technology. Renowned for excellent education, pioneering fundamental research, and the direct transfer of new knowledge into society, ETH attracts over 30,000 individuals from more than 120 countries. Located in the heart of Europe, we forge connections globally to develop solutions for today's and tomorrow's challenges.