The Optics and Sensing Laboratory at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Tübingen is looking for a student assistant (m/f/d) to support the ongoing research efforts in the Interpersonal Synchrony Analysis (ISA) Project.

About us

We are supporting the development of highly realistic human and animal avatars for use in research, film, virtual reality, biology and medicine. Using unique 3D & 4D capture facilities, machine learning, computer vision and advanced graphics, we are modeling humans and animals shape and behavior. In the ISA project, we develop algorithms to estimate human motion in videos and RGB-D sequences to better understand the interactions and communications that take place between two people.

Your tasks

• Support data captures for Eye Blink Detection and Interpersonal Synchrony Analysis projects.
• Work on data cleaning and image pre- and post-processing.
• Support the data annotation process in collaboration with the Max-Planck Institute for Psychiatry.
• Write code scripts for building Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs), data wrappers or visualizations.
• Organize and coordinate project participants in various experiments.
• Collect, organize and maintain experiment datasets.
• Maintain and update the project information on wiki.
• Support the organization and administration at the Lab.
• Work minimum 10 hours per week.

Your profile:

• Background in computational psychology, computer science, or a related field.
• Currently enrolled at a German university and available to come to the lab once a week.
• Readiness to learn and commit to this project for at least 1 year.
• Basic experience in programming and scripting, IT support and troubleshooting.
• Natural team player and a detail-oriented person, capable of methodically solving problems, passion for technology with a research mindset.
• Good oral and written communication skills in English.

Good to Have

• Good programming skills and experience with Python and OpenCV.
• Basic knowledge of cameras, experience with data captures is an advantage.

• Some experience with Eye Tracking software (e.g. Tobii Pro) is desired.
• Experience with laboratory organization, tools labeling and equipment maintenance is a plus.

What we offer

In this working environment, you will be exposed to cutting-edge technologies related to computer vision and multi-sensor systems. The MPI for Intelligent Systems is one of the world’s leading research institutions for machine learning, computer vision and robotics, and studying the concepts of intelligence and autonomous behavior in artificial systems at different length scales. The position is ideally suited for students looking to extend their scientific and cultural horizons. You will be a part of a young team of international scientists, engineers, and administrative staff. Students without a Bachelor degree will earn €12 / hour; Master students with a bachelor degree will be paid €13.03 / hour. Contracts are given per semester.

The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply.

Contact and application

Any questions regarding the position should be forwarded to Carolin Schmitt carolin.schmitt@tuebingen.mpg.de and Solmaz Mohadjer solmaz.mohadjer@tuebingen.mpg.de.

Candidates must upload all the following items as a single PDF to our application portal.

• 2 page Curriculum Vitae,
• References letters (or names of referees),
• One-page answering the following questions:
  • Which part of this job offer is most interesting to you and why?
  • We will develop a multi-camera sensor system to capture participants while they are solving some tasks. On the day of the capture, what do you think is important to take care of?
  • Why you are a good fit for this position?
• A link to your GitHub account or some example code showing us your programming skills.

The position is available as of now and will be open until filled or no longer needed.