[Imageworld] MPI Informatik: Open position for a Research Engineer - Performance Capture, 3D Video and Computer Animation

[Christian Theobalt]

Research Engineer - Performance Capture, 3D Video and Computer Animation
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The Computer Graphics Group and the Group 3D Video and Vision-based
Graphics at Max-Planck-Institut in Germany are looking for a Research
Engineer.  MPI Informatik is one of the world's leading research
institutes in Visual Computing working on the forefront of Computer
Graphics and Computer Vision.

A core area of research at MPI is 3D dynamic scene reconstruction and
markerless motion capture. The overall goal being to capture far more 
realistic models of dynamic real world scenes and phenomena as is is 
possible with existing methods. For instance, researchers at MPI 
developed one of the first systems for high-quality 3D video of human 
actors, and recently proposed a new system to capture detailed shape, 
motion and appeareance of moving people in general apparel. Please check
http://www.mpi-inf.mpg.de/resources/perfcap/ for details about the
latter project and http://www.mpi-inf.mpg.de/departments/d4/areas.html
for general information about graphics research at MPI.

Nowadays, much of MPI's research on reconstruction of real scenes
depends on sophisticated software and hardware systems, as well as
specialized measurement setups, for instance: motion capture systems,
shape scanners or a multi-view camera systems. Effective operation of
these systems is in many cases a key requirement to undertake
successful research. It is our goal to think beyond what is currently
possible and make possible what will be state-of-the-art in years from
now. The research engineer will be responsible for operating,
installing and modifying the above complex hardware systems. He/she
will support the team of scientists to achieve their research
goals. The engineer will be actively involved in developing new
technology.

A successful applicant should have the following key qualifications:

*) A bachelor degree or equivalent in computer science,
computer animation, media production or electrical engineering.
*) A background in computer graphics and computer vision techniques
and algorithms, or experience as a CG animator.
*) Experience in using and operating an optical motion capture
system/multi-view video system.
*) Experience in working with motion capture data.
*) Experience with standard animation tools, such as Maya and 3DS Max, 
ideally also with respective APIs.
*) The willingness to instruct researchers at MPI about the operations
of special hardware systems, and about the features of standard 
animation tools.
*) Fluency in written and spoken English
*) The willingness to participate in discussions with researchers and to 
support them in developing new algorithms.

In addition to the requirements above, the following qualifications 
would be a plus

*) Programming experience in C/C++, a graphics API like OpenGL, as well 
as low level control of hardware
*) Experience in the development of simple electronic circuits
*) Experience with operating and maintaining camera systems in 
professional production scenarios

MPI offers a very unique international research environment in which a
successful applicant will be able to contribute his/her skills in a
variety of different projects. The position is limited to 2 years, but
with the potential of prolongation after the initial period. The
salary will be based on TVOED E12 (Tarifvertrag fuer Angestellte im
Oeffentlichen Dienst).

Please send your complete application material, including a CV, copies
of transcripts and certificates, and a description of previous projects
that match our above requirements to

Christian Theobalt
Head of Research Group 3D Video and Vision-based Graphics
MPI Informatik - Campus E1.4
66123 Saarbruecken
Germany

Email: theobalt at mpii.de

Deadline for submission is March 5 2010.

-- 
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Dr.-Ing. Christian Theobalt

Max-Planck-Institut Informatik
Campus E1.4, 66123 Saarbruecken, Germany
Phone +49 681 9325 428        Fax +49 681 9325 499

Email: theobalt at mpi-inf.mpg.de
        theobalt at acm.org
        theobalt at ieee.org

URL: http://www.mpi-inf.mpg.de/~theobalt/