Backend Engineer
Research Engineer - Interactive AI Characters Platform
Master in Integrated Building Systems ETH Zürich
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The AI Characters team at ETH Zurich’s Computer Graphics Laboratory is seeking a Research Engineer to take a central role in developing and maintaining our interactive AI avatar platforms, including Digital Einstein. Our work focuses on lifelike digital humans powered by large language models, affective computing, and real-time rendering — deployed at high-profile international events such as the World Economic Forum, GITEX Global, and Berlin Science Week. You can learn more about our research on the CGL Digital Characters page and the Digital Einstein project page.
Project background
Digital Einstein is our flagship interactive AI avatar, bringing Albert Einstein to life as a conversational agent. It is part of a broader family of AI avatars developed in our group. Built on a Unity-based frontend with real-time facial and body animations and integrated speech recognition and speech synthesis, the system orchestrates large language models for multilingual dialogue management. It has been showcased at major international venues, engaging hundreds of thousands of visitors worldwide.
We are now expanding the platform in several directions: augmented reality (AR) experiences that bring AI characters into the visitor’s physical space; a web-based version of Digital Einstein for broader public accessibility; novel hardware interaction elements for the physical platform (such as tangible interfaces); and continued improvements to the underlying LLM-driven cognition layer, including story adherence, agency, multimodal perception, and affective responsiveness. As our team scales, we are looking for a skilled Research Engineer to lead the technical development of these next-generation features and ensure the robustness of the platform across all deployment contexts.
Job Description
- Unity frontend development for Digital Einstein: building AR experiences and maintaining the physical platform; components are designed for reuse across all deployment contexts
- Python backend development, with a focus on LLM integration such as improving dialogue quality, story adherence, agency, multimodal perception, affective cognition, and multi-turn interaction management.
- Website development to bring Digital Einstein to the web and enable broader public accessibility
- On-site technical support at national and international events and demonstrations (setup, visitor interaction, troubleshooting), including occasional availability on weekends
- Optionally: 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 with augmented reality (AR) development, ideally with ARKit, ARFoundation, ARCore, Meta Quest, or comparable frameworks
- Hands-on experience with large language models and Python-based backend development
- Experience with web development is a plus
- Interest in hardware prototyping and interactive installation design is a plus
- 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
Workplace
We offer
Professional Development
- A central engineering role in a high-visibility AI avatar platform showcased at flagship international events (World Economic Forum, GITEX Global, Berlin Science Week, and more)
- Exposure to cutting-edge research at the intersection of real-time graphics, large language models, and affective computing
- Opportunities to contribute to academic publications and research outputs
- Involvement in the full lifecycle of an interactive platform, from research prototype to large-scale public deployment
Work Environment
- Collaborative, international team at ETH Zurich’s Computer Graphics Laboratory
- Regular mentoring and close involvement in shaping the platform’s technical roadmap
- Dynamic research environment with a hands-on, engineering-driven culture
Start date: September 1, 2026, or by arrangement.
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We value diversity and sustainability
In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us – we are consistently working towards a climate-neutral future.
Curious? So are we.
Excited to build the next generation of interactive AI avatars and bring them to audiences worldwide? Come and join our team!
We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:
- Motivation letter (max. 2 pages)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Contact details for 2 to 3 references
- Other relevant documents: electronic copies of diplomas, transcripts, certifi cates, links to code repositories, and/or a portfolio ofprojects
Further information about our research can be found on 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.
Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.
We would like to point out that the pre-selection is carried out by the responsible recruiters and not by artificial intelligence.
About ETH Zürich
ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.
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