The Digital Character AI team at ETH Zurich's Computer Graphics Laboratory is looking for a Student Research Assistant to support the development of our interactive AI avatar platforms across both the Unity frontend and the LLM-based backend. Our work focuses on lifelike digital humans powered by large language models, affective computing, speech technologies, and real-time rendering. Our systems have been deployed at high-profile international events such as the World Economic Forum, Berlin Science Week, and GITEX. You can learn more about the Digital Einstein project here.
Project Background
Digital Einstein is an AI avatar platform that brings Albert Einstein to life as an interactive conversational agent. The system combines a Unity-based frontend for real-time character rendering, animation, and interaction with a Python-based backend that orchestrates large language models, dialogue management, speech processing, memory, and other AI components. We are currently extending the platform to additional interactive digital characters. We are looking for a student assistant who can contribute across the complete system - from Unity-based user experiences and character interaction to LLM-driven dialogue and backend services.
Job Description
- Develop and maintain the Unity frontend for the Digital Einstein platform, including UI components, interaction flows, character behaviours, and real-time rendering features
- Develop and maintain the Python/LLM backend for interactive conversations, including the integration and evaluation of large language models and related AI services
- Test and improve the reliability, latency, and overall interaction quality of the system
- On-site support at selected events and demonstrations
- Participate in weekly team meetings (1–2 hours) to discuss progress and plan next steps
- Workload: approximately 15 hours/week during the semester, with the possibility of working more during semester breaks
Profile
- Enrolled student at ETH Zurich or another Swiss university
- Strong programming skills and practical software-development experience
- Experience with Unity and C#
- Experience with Python
- Experience with or strong interest in large language models, including LLM APIs, prompting, agentic systems, or dialogue systems
- Reliable, proactive, and comfortable working independently as well as in a team
- Willingness to provide occasional on-site event support, including on weekends
- German language skills are a plus
We Offer
- Hands-on experience with a high-profile AI avatar platform showcased at international events (World Economic Forum, GITEX, and others)
- Exposure to a cutting-edge research environment spanning real-time graphics, large language models, and affective computing
- Regular 1-on-1 mentoring and weekly team meetings
- Collaborative, international team at ETH Zurich's Computer Graphics Laboratory
We look forward to receiving your online application by November 30 with the following documents:
- A short motivation letter (max. 1 page)
- Your current CV
- Your academic transcripts
- A brief portfolio or code sample demonstrating relevant work (e.g. GitHub link)
Further information about our research can be found on our website. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Rafael Wampfler at rafael.wampfler@inf.ethz.ch (no applications).
Interviews are expected to take place in December 2026. The start date is January 1, 2027.
Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.
