Game/VR Developer

Offer Description

A Call for one research fellowship (Bolsa de Investigação) for a Game/VR Developer is open at Fundação D. Anna de Sommer Champalimaud e Dr. Carlos Montez Champalimaud (Champalimaud Foundation) in the context of the project entitled “Research Infrastructure for Digital Therapeutics”, with reference “LISBOA2030-FEDER-01316800” from the call Nº “LISBOA2030-2024-15”, funded by the: European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), through the Lisbon Regional Programme 2021-2027.

The selected candidate will

Collaborate with Immersive AI Systems group to create immersive and interactive 3D environments  for healthcare and rehabilitation applications.

Responsibilities

- Interactive Game Environments: Integrate AI-generated 3D assets, characters, and animations into real-time immersive experiences using Unity;
- VR Development: Build immersive and interactive VR experiences utilizing frameworks like OpenXR to support patient rehabilitation and therapeutic engagement;
- 3D Modeling: Create 3D models and immersive environments using traditional or AI-based tools;
- Animation and Rigging: Develop character animations, rigging, and 3D object movements to enable engaging and realistic interactive movements in therapeutic scenarios;
- Graphics and Performance Optimization: Ensure assets and VR experiences are optimized for real time performance across VR headsets and standard displays.

Research Fields

Computer Science and Software Engineering

Required Education Level

Bachelor’s degree (minimum) or equivalent.

Department

Centre for Restorative Neurotechnology | Neuroinnovation Warehouse

Application start date

19/05/2025

Application closing date

15/072025 or until filled.

Expected position starting date

15/08/2025

Skills/Qualifications

Minimum qualifications

- Bachelor’s in Computer Sciences, Software Engineering or related areas;
- 5 years proven experience in professional game development or VR development;
- Proficiency in English. Excellent Level.

Specific Requirements

Essential skills

- Game Development Expertise: Proven experience developing interactive games and immersive VR experiences using Unity, with a strong grasp of real-time interaction design, physics systems, and scene management;
- VR Development: Hands-on experience with VR platforms and frameworks such as OpenXR, SteamVR, or Meta Quest SDK, including end-to-end development of immersive environments and interactive mechanics;
- 3D Content Integration: Proficient in working with 3D models, animations, and rigging workflows using traditional or AI-based tools with seamless integration into Unity projects;
- Performance Optimization: Sufficient understanding of real-time rendering pipelines, GPU profiling, draw call reduction, and asset management to ensure high performance in VR and standard gaming environments;
- Collaborative Workflow: Strong ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams, including researchers and developers, using tools like Git or Plastic SCM.

Desirable skills that will also be considered

- Generative AI: Experience using generative AI tools to streamline asset and animation workflows for VR and interactive media;
- Python Programming: Proficient in Python for automation, data processing, and integrating ML models into 3D production pipelines;
- Motion Tracking: Hands-on experience integrating systems like Xsens, OptiTrack, or OpenPose into VR workflows;
- Neural Rendering: Knowledge of techniques like NeRF, Instant-NGP, or similar neural rendering methods;
- Computer Graphics: Solid foundation in real-time rendering, PBR, shading, lighting, and texturing;
- Healthcare Applications: Background in developing immersive applications for digital therapeutics, neurorehabilitation, or mental health using VR.

Benefits

Full immersion into a research excellence ecosystem with highly motivated researchers, supported by state-of-the-art technology and continuous development opportunities.

Remuneration

Competitive remuneration according to experience as determined by the Fellowship Regulations of the Champalimaud Foundation. The fellowship will be paid monthly by bank transfer. The fellowship holder will have personal accident insurance and, if not covered by any social protection scheme, can ensure the right to social security through adherence to the voluntary social insurance scheme.

Maximum allowable duration

The Fellowship will have the duration of 12 months, with the possibility of renewal up to a maximum of 36 months (never surpassing the termination date of the project, expected at 31/12/2027). The position is expected to start on or after 15/08/2025, in an exclusive regime as the Fellowship Regulations of the Champalimaud Foundation.

Eligibility criteria

National, Foreign or Stateless candidate(s) who hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Sciences, Software Engineering or other related scientific areas and a scientific and professional curriculum that reveals a profile appropriate to the activity to be developed. 

In case of PhD degrees awarded by foreign higher education institutions, the degree must comply with the provisions of Decree-Law No. 341/2007, of 12th of October, and all formalities established therein must be fulfilled by the deadline for application submission.

Selection process

Candidates will be screened to determine eligibility based on the qualifications listed. Candidates meeting minimum requirements will be scored according to the required application materials: CV 60%, motivation letter 25%, interview 15%. If provided, and if shortlisted, candidates’ referees may be contacted and may count towards evaluation. 

Evaluation committee members

Alexander Loktyushin, Johannes Stelzer, Niklas Fricke, Fatemeh Molaei, Scott Rennie

Application materials

CV highlighting relevant past work and letter of motivation (one single pdf document, max 4 pages). 

Proof of qualifications (certificates) may be required at a later date for the formalisation of the contract agreement. Degrees obtained abroad may need to be formally recognised in Portugal. 

How to apply

Candidates must complete the standard application form and submit a single annexed PDF (max 4 pages) document containing the application materials stated in the call. 

The call reference will be asked and not having may invalidate your submission. This call reference is: WH-Game/VR

Applications are also accepted in paper, sent or handed to the Fellows Support Office at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Avenida Brasília, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal.

Notification of results

All candidates will receive a receipt of acknowledgment within 7-10 business days. The highest scoring candidate will be notified by email or telephone. All other candidates will be notified solely by email of the final outcome of the recruitment process.

After being notified, candidates will have 10 working days to present a claim for redress by email (careers@research.fchampalimaud.org). If no claim is received by the Champalimaud Foundation, the Evaluation Committee's decision will become definitive.

About Us

Research is at the heart of the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, a modern research and clinical facility situated on the waterfront in Lisbon, Portugal. The goal of Champalimaud Research (CR) is to perform world-leading fundamental and translational research. Current research work is focused on the fields of neuroscience, physiology and cancer.  Champalimaud Research comprises a team of over 400 scientists from around the world. English is the official language of the Centre. Lisbon’s sunny Atlantic Mediterranean climate, vibrant culture and high quality of life make this a great place to live and work.

Relevant Institutional Information

In line with our community guidelines and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy and Gender Equality Plan, no candidate may be privileged, favored, prejudiced or deprived of any right or excluded from any duty on the basis of age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, disability, chronic illness, language, nationality, territory of origin, family status (marital, pregnancy and maternity, having or not having dependents), socioeconomic situation, education, religion, political or ideological beliefs,  trade union membership, or on any other grounds which are irrelevant to decision-making.

Legal Notices

The present call has the sole purpose of filling the indicated research position. This call may be canceled at any time on or before the jury’s evaluation of all eligible candidates and the recruitment process shall be concluded on the day of the full execution of the contract between the Champalimaud Foundation and the selected candidate.