Research Scientist Intern, Audio User Experience (PhD)

Research Scientist Intern, Audio User Experience (PhD)

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Redmond, WA

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The Meta Reality Labs Research Team brings together a world-class team of researchers, developers, and engineers to create the future of virtual and augmented reality, which together will become as universal and essential as smartphones and personal computers are today. And just as personal computers have done over the past 45 years, AR, VR and MR will ultimately change everything about how we work, play, and connect. We are developing all the technologies needed to enable breakthrough AR glasses and VR headsets, including optics and displays, computer vision, audio, graphics, brain-computer interface, haptic interaction, eye/hand/face/body tracking, perception science, and true telepresence. Some of those will advance much faster than others, but they all need to happen to enable AR, VR and MR that are so compelling that they become an integral part of our lives. You can find out more about us here: https://tech.fb.com/inside-facebook-reality-labs-research-the-future-of-audio/ In particular, the Meta Reality Labs Research Audio team is focused on two goals; creating virtual sounds that are perceptually indistinguishable from reality and redefining human hearing. These two initiatives will allow us to connect people by allowing them to feel together despite being physically apart and allow them to converse in even the most difficult listening environments. We are seeking interns to help us explore, understand, and evaluate how our future users will experience audio technologies within these initiatives. The role requires a background in psychology, cognitive science, linguistics, hearing science, human-computer interaction, human factors, or a similar field. Successful candidates will have strong skills in speech communication, behavioral, and/or attitudinal human subjects research. Our internships are twelve (12) to twenty-four (24) weeks long and we have various start dates throughout the year. Specific projects will be designed in collaboration with successful applicants to align the intern's skills and experience with current research needs.

Research Scientist Intern, Audio User Experience (PhD) Responsibilities

• Basic and applied research on speech communication in augmented or virtual reality listening environments


• Experimental design, implementation, and execution to evaluate how users experience new audio technologies


• Collaboration with and support of other researchers across various disciplines


• Communication of research agenda, progress, and full analyses of results

Minimum Qualifications

• Currently has, or is in the process of obtaining, a PhD and in the field of Psychology, Cognitive Science, Linguistics, Hearing Science, Human-Computer Interaction, or similar or a related field


• 2+ years of experience conducting quantitative or mixed methods human subjects research (behavioral and/or attitudinal), preferably with a focus in or adjacent to spoken communication


• 2+ years of experience in statistical analysis at the doctoral level using R, Python, SPSS, or other statistical software


• Expertise in one or more of the below research areas: auditory attention and distraction, speech perception and production, interpersonal connection and/or virtual presence


• Must obtain work authorization in the country of employment at the time of hire, and maintain ongoing work authorization during employment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in human auditory spatial and speech perception


• Familiarity with AR/VR technologies and/or hearing aid technologies


• Proven track record of achieving significant results as demonstrated by grants, fellowships, patents, as well as first-authored publications at leading workshops or conferences such as: Journal of Experimental Psychology, JSLHR, Emotion Review, Language and Speech, Interspeech, CogSci, ACM CHI, Frontiers in Virtual Reality, or similar


• Experience working and communicating cross functionally in a team environment


• Intent to return to a degree program after the completion of the internship/co-op

For those who live in or expect to work from California if hired for this position, please click here for additional information.

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About Meta

Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today-beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.

Meta is committed to providing reasonable support (called accommodations) in our recruiting processes for candidates with disabilities, long term conditions, mental health conditions or sincerely held religious beliefs, or who are neurodivergent or require pregnancy-related support. If you need support, please reach out to accommodations-ext@fb.com .

$7,500/month to $11,333/month + benefits

Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.