Job Description Job title Research Associate in Facial Motion Capture for Virtual Studio (Computer Vision or Machine Learning). Department/School Centre for the Analysis of Motion, Entertainment Research and Applications (CAMERA) / Department of Computer Science Job family Education and Research Grade 7 Reporting to Dr. Darren Cosker Responsible for Some co-supervision of doctoral, postgraduate or undergraduate students may be required. Location University of Bath premises Background and Context The post advertised is a collaboration between The University of Bath (CAMERA – www.camera.ac.uk) and The Imaginarium Studios (www.imaginariumuk.com/). The Centre for the Analysis of Motion, Entertainment Research and Applications (CAMERA) is a new EPSRC funded research centre based at the University of Bath (Departments of Computer Science and Health). CAMERA is involved in research projects across the entertainment industry, with further applications in Elite Sport, Rehabilitation and Training. The Imaginarium, based in Ealing Studios in London, is a world leading motion capture studio co-founded by Andy Serkis. Recent projects involve The Jungle Book and Star Wars, The Force Awakens. The project is funded by Innovate UK, and provides an opportunity to be involved in cutting edge research which will be directly applied to video games and motion pictures. Job purpose The aim of this project is to develop the next generation of facial performance capture technology for the entertainment industry. In collaboration with The Imaginarium Studios (/www.imaginariumuk.com/) – founded by Andy Serkis – we are developing new facial capture technologies for use in motion pictures and video games. Working closely with a team at The Imaginarium, we are looking for a computer vision or machine learning researcher to test, develop and integrate real time facial performance capture algorithms with new prototype wearable head mounted camera systems. The new system will be used for virtual production in movie and video game projects at The Imaginarium, where recent motion capture projects involve Star Wars (The Force Awakens) and The Jungle Book. The post is suitable for candidates looking to work on exciting new research projects leading to academic publications and careers in academia, or in visual effects/video Human Resources Page 1 12/07/2016 games production. The successful applicant will be expected to research and implement robust computer vision algorithms suitable for solving our problem, publish results in conferences/journals, and deliver working code to the engineering team at The Imaginarium. Close support and supervision on the project will be given throughout by the wider CAMERA team at Bath as well as the R&D team at The Imaginarium. Enquires should be directed to Dr. Darren Cosker ([email protected]). Main duties and responsibilities Responsible to the PI (Dr. Darren Cosker), for: 1 Research and develop new approaches to facial motion capture. 2 The production of working prototypes to demonstrate and evaluate new and existing technologies in the appropriate areas. 3 Working with researchers within the wider CAMERA and Imaginarium team to achieve project aims and disseminate research results. 4 Document research and results including, but not limited to, the production of papers in leading peer-reviewed conferences and journals, the development and maintenance of a code base and engage in public dissemination of research outputs as appropriate. 5 Liaise closely with and support other CAMERA centre staff working on related fields to the common benefit of the centre. 6 Participate regularly in research group meetings and prepare and deliver presentations to the project team, internal and external collaborators and industrial partners. 7 Disseminate research at national and/or international conferences (via presentations and posters) and/ or at other appropriate events such as workshops with partners. 8 Assist with the supervision of graduate students and undergraduate project students and the assessment of student knowledge. 9 Continually update knowledge and understanding in field or specialism to inform research activity. 10 Provide assistance with preparing bids to funding bodies contribute to securing of funds for research. 11 Provide assistance to the departmental teaching effort to gain teaching experience; for example via the supervision of practical sessions or occasional lecturing. 12 Collaborate with graduate students and research engineers within CAMERA to write up results of research and contribute to publishing of results in high- quality peer-reviewed academic literature. Human Resources Page 2 12/07/2016 Person Specification Criteria Essential Desirable Qualifications PhD in Computer Vision, Computer Graphics, X Machine Learning or a strongly related discipline Experience/Knowledge Excellent background knowledge of computer X vision and/or machine learning relevant to the project. Experience with the practical application of X computer vision and/or machine learning. Evidence of published research in high quality peer X reviewed journals and/or conferences Familiar with industrial visual effects or video game X pipelines and workflows Experience with the production of interactive X graphical software Experience conducting user interviews and studies X Demonstrated significant depth and breadth of X specialist knowledge of subject matter to contribute to research programmes and to the development of departmental research activities. Post doctoral experience X Skills Excellent programming skills in languages such as X C++, Python and Matlab Proven track record of production of clean and X robust research code Design and production of graphical user interfaces X Excellent written and oral communication skills X Teaching experience and interest X Use of industry standard creative software X appropriate to the project; e.g. Maya Ability to prepare research proposals, to conduct X individual research work and to disseminate results Human Resources Page 3 12/07/2016 Ability to organise and prioritise own workload X Ability to write research reports and to effectively X disseminate outcomes Attributes Motivated to perform research applications in the X entertainment arena Innovation in developing creative solutions X Enthusiasm and self-motivation X Organisation – able to plan and deliver work to X meet required deadlines Tenacity – working to achieve own and team X objectives and to overcome obstacles Ability to work individually and as an effective team X member Human Resources Page 4 12/07/2016 .