Research Scientist Intern, Human Sensing and Wearable Fit Modeling (PhD)

SummaryWe're seeking a PhD Research Intern to help advance Meta's methods to quantify/model user fit of wearable devices with a focus on head and eye pose measurement, and their implications on visual quality, comfort, and other system performance. The internship will involve developing instrumentation methods, capturing high-quality biometric data, and analyzing naturalistic head posture and gaze behavior to inform realistic design targets for future wearable systems. This role sits at the intersection of human factors, biomechanics, sensing and instrumentation, and computational 3D data analysis—enabling improved evaluation and design decisions for fit, optics, field of view, and related subsystems. Our internships are twelve (12) to twenty-four (24) weeks long and we have various start dates throughout the year.ResponsibilitiesDesign and execute a research plan—from problem statement through data collection, analysis, and recommendations.Develop and refine instrumentation techniques and protocols for capturing anthropometric data (e.g., eye tracking, head pose, gaze behavior), optimizing for throughput, reliability, and practicality.Build repeatable pipelines for sensor and data acquisition, processing, and quality assurance.Quantify uncertainty, repeatability, and practical tradeoffs (e.g., fidelity, cost, scalability) to inform design decisions.Develop models or frameworks that characterize variability and inform realistic design targets for wearable systems.Communicate results to cross-functional partners through written reports, clear visuals, and actionable recommendations.Minimum QualificationsCurrently has, or is in the process of obtaining a PhD degree in Human Factors, Biomechanics, Biophysics, Robotics, Computer Vision, Applied Math, Computer Graphics, or a related field.Demonstrated research experience designing experiments and analyzing results with appropriate rigor (repeatability, confounds, validation).Hands-on experience with at least one of the following: eye tracking systems, IMUs, motion capture, other real-time biometric instrumentation, or 3D/geometry data processing (such as working with meshes, point clouds, coordinate systems, registration, or error analysis).Proven programming skills in Python (and/or C++/MATLAB), including building data pipelines and producing reproducible analysis.Experience communicating technical work clearly to cross-functional audiences (written + verbal).Must obtain work authorization in country of employment at the time of hire, and maintain ongoing work authorization during employment.Preferred QualificationsExperience building or validating calibration procedures for sensing systems (eye tracking, IMU, mocap, photogrammetry/3D scanning).Background in wearables, ergonomic/fit evaluation, or display/optics-adjacent human perception work.Knowledge of computational geometry / graphics concepts (e.g., coordinate transforms, pose estimation, registration, uncertainty propagation).Familiarity with experimental design for time-series human behavior (task design, reducing confounds, modeling distributions).Experience with privacy-aware handling of human subject data (e.g., minimizing retained identifiers, data governance considerations).Intent to return to degree program after the completion of the internship/co-op.Compensation$7,313/month to $12,134/month + benefitsIndustryInternetEqual OpportunityMeta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affiential Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.AccommodationsMeta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@meta.com.J-18808-Ljbffr