Job Description

Job Description: The Reality Labs (RL) 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. Just as personal computers have done over the past 45 years, AR and VR 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 interfaces, haptic interaction, eye/hand/face/body tracking, perception science, and true telepresence. In particular, the RL Research Audio team is focused on two goals; creating virtual sounds that are perceptually indistinguishable from reality, and redefining human hearing. See more about our work here. 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 a contract project coordinator to help us advance an ambitious research project aiming to develop technologies that will augment human capabilities and enable effortless communication in acoustically challenging environments.

Summary

The main function of a Research Assistant (RA) is to conduct research studies with human subjects. The RA is responsible for the set-up, implementation and data collection for in-person and remote studies. This is a senior-level RA position with increased responsibility for assisting research scientists with experimental design, conducting large user studies, and providing training and guidance to junior RA team members.

Duties

• Assist principal investigator with implementation of experiments involving human subjects.
• Stage and set up equipment for the study. Study set-up may involve engaging with engineering, external equipment vendors, internal and external safety evaluators, and the research study team to ensure that the necessary equipment is procured and set up properly.
• Conduct the study. This includes any or all of the following: screening participants, obtaining participant consent, assuring the privacy and confidentiality of participants and their data, instructing study participants and guiding them through study procedures related to maintaining confidential information and handling of confidential data.
• Study support services. Support research and development in various areas including data collection, onsite handling, tracking of participant compensation and tracking of equipment.
• RAs may assist the study project manager and external recruiting services in participant recruiting and scheduling activities.
• RA may pilot experiments, make observations, and give feedback to the Facebook Technologies study team to optimize study procedures.
• Collect and analyze study data.
• Write and submit IRB documents and amendments.
• RA may research technologies and equipment that can facilitate experiments.
• RA may help with experimental design and provide useful feedback prior to studies.
• RA may summarize literature reviews.
• RA may purchase research papers.
• Assist team in new RA onboarding. Duties include RA shadowing and serving as POC for questions about standard RA tasks, software and tools.
• Assist team in new RA training on research apparatuses and procedures.

Skills

• Verbal and written communication skills, problem solving skills, attention to detail and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently with strong time management skills.
• Knowledge of project management methodologies and project tracking is a plus.
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders and to interpret and communicate research findings and insights.
• Some knowledge of coding (e.g., with Python, JavaScript, or other languages) is preferred.