Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop a cutting-edge VR app that translates emotions into stunning visuals.
- Company: Join the School of Digital Arts at Manchester Metropolitan University, a leader in innovative research.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, hybrid options, and a chance to work with top-notch professionals.
- Why this job: Be part of a revolutionary project that enhances user wellbeing through art and technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in Unity, C#, and VR development is essential; creativity and teamwork are key.
- Other info: Inclusive culture promoting diversity and offering excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
The School of Digital Arts is a purpose built, interdisciplinary school at one of the UK's leading universities. Offering industry and research informed courses and specialist spaces with the latest technologies. The School of Digital Arts is a proud part of Manchester Metropolitan University. We build on the creative, science, tech and business strengths of a university whose research is rated as ‘world-leading' and is changing the way we live, work, learn and play.
AI systems are increasingly able to detect a speaker's emotions, leading to a new affective channel that can be explored in art. The controls available in standard Virtual Reality (VR) can be supplemented with speech recognition, natural language processing, and sentiment analysis. We aim to embody this potential in the front end of the Emote VR Voicer interface, which translates the emotional meaning of vocal utterances to the morphing of abstract 3D animated shapes, enabling a radical new aesthetic experience. We are using iterative design cycles and ultimately aim to develop an interface that will improve the user's wellbeing.
We are looking for candidates with the technical know-how to finalise a partially existing VR prototype. You will work from a design brief, using Unity scripting to finalise and make the app ready for exhibition and release on the Meta store. Working within the School of Digital Arts (SODA) you will join state-of-the-art research on the AHRC funded Emote VR Voicer project, to develop a new, intelligently responsive VR app that incorporates speech recognition and meaning classification.
About the role: You will be working closely within a small project team consisting of artists, a psychologist and AI researchers in an iterative development cycle. You will be responsible for the VR development part and map detected emotion to visual animations using blend trees and procedural animation. You will also create UI elements and interactions between vocal input and visual output to appeal to singers and non-singers. You will use your programming skills and Unity experience to integrate AI models that detect and tag emotional meaning from audio and map these to steer real-time visuals in Unity. Live audio features will also be mapped to animate graphics. Working closely together with the project lead, you will create a system where the shapes are animated differently depending on which emotion the system detects. Image synthesis, procedural content generation and style transfer will further expand on a bank of 3D graphics that are created specifically for this project.
The ideal candidate will have experience with the wider pipeline, including asset generation, rigging and animating. You will also be involved in some of the evaluation work for this project. The job will be for 2.5 days per week (0.5 FT) on a fixed-term basis for 8 months. The working pattern will be on-campus with some remote working possible depending on project stage. The days and hours to work can be negotiated with the successful candidate.
Key skills:
- A good understanding of programming within the Unity games engine using C# and experience with VR application development.
Essential skills and experience:
- A degree in computer science, software engineering or a similar technical field, or equivalent professional experience
- Experience developing projects with C#
- Hands-on experience developing VR/XR applications using Unity
- Proficiency with scripting for procedural animation generation
- Experience with image and/or audio-based projects
- Experience with real-time system optimisation (e.g. low-latency audio/visual feedback in VR)
- Experience with working in interdisciplinary teams
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Creative problem-solving skills
- Self-motivation and able to undertake independent research related to the brief
- Excellent ability to work to deadlines
Desirable:
- A relevant postgraduate qualification.
- Experience with bringing Python models into Unity
- Proficiency with Autodesk Maya modelling, skinning and rigging
- Experience with writing and co-writing research papers
- Sensitive to nuances in visual aesthetics
Manchester Metropolitan University fosters an inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We value a diverse workforce for the innovation and diversity of thought it brings and welcome applications from all local and international communities, including Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ individuals. We support a range of flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and tailored schedules, which can be discussed with your line manager. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in your role, please let us know so we can provide appropriate support. Our commitment to inclusivity includes mentoring programmes, accessibility resources, and professional development opportunities to empower and support underrepresented groups. Manchester Met is a Disability Confident Leader and, under this scheme, aims to offer an interview to disabled people who apply for the role and meet the essential criteria as listed in the attached Job Description for that vacancy. Please note to be eligible candidates need to already have the right to work in the UK.
Senior Research Assistant (Emote VR Voicer Virtual Reality) in Manchester employer: Manchester Metropolitan University
Contact Detail:
Manchester Metropolitan University Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Research Assistant (Emote VR Voicer Virtual Reality) in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those connected to the School of Digital Arts. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your VR projects, especially any work with Unity and C#. Make sure to include examples of your procedural animation and real-time system optimisation. A strong portfolio can really set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with interdisciplinary teams and how you tackle creative problem-solving. Practice common interview questions and think about how your background aligns with the Emote VR Voicer project.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Manchester Met community. Don’t forget to tailor your application to highlight how your skills fit the role perfectly!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Research Assistant (Emote VR Voicer Virtual Reality) in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for VR: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for virtual reality shine through! Share any personal projects or experiences that highlight your love for the tech and how it can enhance user experiences.
Tailor Your Skills to the Role: Make sure to align your skills with the job description. Highlight your experience with Unity, C#, and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your background fits into the Emote VR Voicer project!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your experiences and avoid jargon unless it's relevant. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised!
How to prepare for a job interview at Manchester Metropolitan University
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in Unity and C#. Brush up on your VR application development skills, especially around procedural animation and real-time system optimisation. Being able to discuss specific projects you've worked on will show your technical prowess.
✨Showcase Your Creative Problem-Solving
Prepare examples of how you've tackled challenges in interdisciplinary teams. Highlight your ability to think outside the box, especially when it comes to integrating AI models or enhancing user experience through innovative design.
✨Understand the Project's Vision
Familiarise yourself with the Emote VR Voicer project and its goals. Be ready to discuss how your skills can contribute to improving user wellbeing through emotional mapping and visual animations. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the impact of your work.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Since you'll be working closely with artists and psychologists, being able to convey complex ideas in an understandable way is crucial. Good communication can set you apart from other candidates.