Employment Type: Full-time (100%)

Location: Zurich, Switzerland

Institution: ETH Zurich

Laboratory: Computer Graphics Laboratory (CGL)

Position Type: Fixed-term

Start Date: September 1, 2026, or by arrangement

Overview

The AI Characters Team at ETH Zurich's Computer Graphics Laboratory (CGL) is seeking a Research Engineer to play a central role in developing and maintaining its interactive AI avatar platforms, including the flagship Digital Einstein project.

The team's research focuses on creating lifelike digital humans powered by:

• Large Language Models (LLMs)
• Affective Computing
• Real-time Rendering

Their AI avatar platforms have been showcased at major international events, including:

• World Economic Forum
• GITEX Global
• Berlin Science Week

Project Background

Digital Einstein is the laboratory's flagship interactive AI avatar, bringing Albert Einstein to life as a conversational AI agent.

The platform features:

• Unity-based frontend
• Real-time facial and body animation
• Speech recognition
• Speech synthesis
• Multilingual dialogue powered by Large Language Models (LLMs)

Digital Einstein has engaged hundreds of thousands of visitors worldwide through demonstrations at major international events.

The research team is currently expanding the platform by developing:

• Augmented Reality (AR) experiences that bring AI characters into visitors' physical environments.
• A web-based version of Digital Einstein for broader public access.
• Novel hardware interaction components, including tangible interfaces.
• Improved LLM-driven cognition with enhanced:
  • Story adherence.
  • Agency.
  • Multimodal perception.
  • Affective responsiveness.

The successful candidate will lead the technical development of these next-generation features while ensuring platform reliability across multiple deployment environments.

Job Description

The Research Engineer will be responsible for:

Unity Development

• Develop the Unity frontend for Digital Einstein.
• Build Augmented Reality (AR) experiences.
• Maintain the physical AI avatar platform.
• Design reusable components across all deployment environments.

Python Backend Development

• Develop backend systems using Python.
• Integrate and improve Large Language Models (LLMs).
• Enhance:
  • Dialogue quality.
  • Story adherence.
  • Agency.
  • Multimodal perception.
  • Affective cognition.
  • Multi-turn conversation management.

Web Development

• Develop a web-based version of Digital Einstein.
• Improve accessibility for public users.

Event Support

• Provide on-site technical support during national and international demonstrations.
• Perform:Be available for occasional weekend events.
  • System setup.
  • Troubleshooting.
  • Visitor interaction.

Hardware Development (Optional)

• Develop novel interaction hardware.
• Prototype tangible interfaces for physical AI installations.

Candidate Profile

Applicants should possess:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in:
  • Computer Science
  • Or a closely related field.

Required qualifications include:

• Strong practical experience with Unity.
• Experience developing Augmented Reality (AR) applications.
• Familiarity with one or more of:
  • ARKit
  • AR Foundation
  • ARCore
  • Meta Quest
  • Comparable AR frameworks.
• Hands-on experience with:Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced research environment.
  • Large Language Models.
  • Python backend development.
• Reliability, initiative, and strong organizational skills.
• Willingness to provide on-site event support, including occasional weekends.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with:

• Web development.
• Hardware prototyping.
• Interactive installation design.

What ETH Zurich Offers

Professional Development

• A central engineering role in a high-profile AI avatar platform demonstrated at:
  • World Economic Forum.
  • GITEX Global.
  • Berlin Science Week.
  • Other international events.
• Exposure to cutting-edge research at the intersection of:Opportunities to contribute to academic publications.
  • Real-time graphics.
  • Large Language Models.
  • Affective computing.
• Experience working across the complete lifecycle of an interactive AI platform, from research prototypes to large-scale public deployment.

Work Environment

• Collaborative and international research team within the Computer Graphics Laboratory.
• Regular mentoring.
• Active participation in shaping the platform's technical roadmap.
• Dynamic engineering-focused research environment.

Diversity and Sustainability

ETH Zurich is committed to:

• Equality of opportunity.
• Diversity and inclusion.
• Respecting the rights and dignity of all staff and students.
• Creating a fair and supportive working and learning environment.
• Sustainability and the pursuit of a climate-neutral future.

Application Documents

Applicants should submit the following documents through the online application portal:

• Motivation letter (maximum 2 pages).
• Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Contact details for 2–3 references.
• Other relevant documents, including:
  • Degree certificates.
  • Academic transcripts.
  • Certificates.
  • Links to code repositories.
  • Portfolio of projects.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted exclusively through the ETH Zurich online application portal.

Applications submitted by email or postal mail will not be considered.

For further information about the research, applicants are encouraged to visit the CGL Digital Characters page and the Digital Einstein project page.

Questions regarding the position should be directed to:

Dr. Rafael Wampfler

Email: rafael.wampfler@inf.ethz.ch

Additional Information

ETH Zurich notes that the pre-selection of applicants is carried out by the responsible recruiters and not by artificial intelligence.

About ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich is one of the world's leading universities specializing in science and technology. The university is internationally recognized for:

• Excellent education.
• Cutting-edge fundamental research.
• Direct transfer of scientific knowledge into society.

With more than 30,000 students and staff from over 120 countries, ETH Zurich provides an international environment that encourages independent thinking, scientific excellence, and collaborative innovation to address global challenges.