Research Scientist Graduate (Computational Imaging-PICO) - 2027 Start (PhD)

About the Team

PICO's imaging systems & human engineering team is looking for a passionate and versatile imaging expert to work on next-generation imaging algorithms that will deliver the top visual experience across PICO products, from camera to display. The ideal candidate specializes in imaging algorithm development with a deep understanding of camera and display optical and digital imaging chains, and will play a key role in delivering camera capture and rendering to display experience with the best image quality and efficiency. This role will also contribute to the definition and execution of technological and productization roadmap in imaging to shape the future of imaging technologies and their applications in VR/MR/AR products.

We are looking for talented individuals to join our team. As a graduate, you will get opportunities to pursue bold ideas, tackle complex challenges, and unlock limitless growth. Successful candidates must be able to commit to an onboarding date by the end of the year.

Responsibilities

• Explore and develop computational imaging, computational photography, and multimodal technologies for VR/MR/AR products.
• Research emerging approaches and rapidly translate promising ideas into prototypes using machine learning frameworks and AI-assisted development tools.
• Work hands-on with cameras, sensors, and AR/XR hardware platforms to collect data, analyze system behavior, and debug imaging issues.
• Build proof-of-concept demos for image enhancement, intelligent capture, scene understanding, and multimodal features.
• Define clear evaluation methods and automated feedback loops to iteratively improve algorithms and features.
• Collaborate with teams across camera, optics, ISP, display, AI, software, hardware, silicon, and product development.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Individuals who are completing or have recently completed a PhD degree in Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, Imaging Science, Optical Engineering, Color Science, or a related field.
• Solid foundation in image processing, computer vision, computational photography, or machine learning, with familiarity in topics such as denoising, HDR, tone mapping, super-resolution, deblurring, 3A, camera calibration, or image quality assessment.
• Experience applying deep learning to image, video, vision, or multimodal applications using frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow and architectures such as CNNs, transformers, diffusion models, or GANs.
• Ability to quickly explore new areas, identify practical approaches, and build prototypes.
• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, or a similar language, with familiarity in C or C++.
• Strong problem-solving and collaboration skills, with willingness to conduct hands-on hardware experiments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Research, internship, project, or publication experience in computational imaging, camera systems, multimodal AI, graphics, or XR.
• Experience with AI coding agents, automated evaluation, iterative feedback loops, or agent harness design.
• Hands-on experience with camera sensors, optics, ISP pipelines, embedded imaging systems, multimodal sensors, model optimization, real-time processing, or software-hardware co-design.
• Publications at leading venues such as CVPR, ICCV, ECCV, NeurIPS, ICLR, SIGGRAPH, or SIGGRAPH Asia are a plus.

Pay

The base salary range for this position is $122,574 - $316,800 annually. Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. Base pay is one part of the total package that may include additional discretionary bonuses/incentives and restricted stock units.

Benefits

• Day one access to medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) savings plan with company match.
• Paid parental leave.
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Life insurance.
• Wellbeing benefits.
• 10 paid holidays per year.
• 10 paid sick days per year.
• 17 days of Paid Personal Time (prorated upon hire with increasing accruals by tenure).