Postdoctoral Researcher, Real-Time Generative AI for Automotive XR at Toyota Research Institute (Los Altos, CA)
Toyota Research Institute· Los Altos, CA·
Role details
Job description
At Toyota Research Institute (TRI), we’re on a mission to improve the quality of human life. We’re developing new tools and capabilities to amplify the human experience. To lead this transformative shift in mobility, we’ve built a world-class team advancing the state of the art in AI, robotics, driving, and material sciences.
The Mission Our team uses design thinking process to place the human at the center of determining the needs, design, and implementation of human-machine interfaces. By following this process, the HMIR team creates automotive HMI technologies that allow humans of any ability to work in harmony with AI. The Team In the Human-Machine Interaction Research group (HMIR), we design, develop and evaluate novel interfaces to improve the safety, well-being, and performance of drivers using human-centered artificial intelligence. The Opportunity We are seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher for a research project exploring next-generation extended reality (XR) experiences for vehicles. The project investigates how generative AI and real-time video processing can enable new forms of visual augmentation and interaction between drivers and their environment. This role is intended for a researcher who can take ownership of core technical directions, drive implementation and evaluation, and coordinate closely with collaborators to deliver high-quality research outcomes. This year-long postdoctoral research position will be highly integrated into the Human-Machine Interaction Research (HMIR) team at TRI. Please note that this opportunity will be an in-office role based in Los Altos, CA, and includes multiple trips to test tracks.
Responsibilities
- Ph.D. in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
- Track record of publications in top-tier venues (e.g. CVPR, ICCV, NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR).
- Strong foundation in machine learning, especially in computer vision.
- Extensive hands-on experience with image/video generative models.
- Strong programming skills in Python; experience with Linux-based development.
- Proven ability to lead research projects to publication-quality outcomes.
Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
- Track record of publications in top-tier venues (e.g. CVPR, ICCV, NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR).
- Strong foundation in machine learning, especially in computer vision.
- Extensive hands-on experience with image/video generative models.
- Strong programming skills in Python; experience with Linux-based development.
- Proven ability to lead research projects to publication-quality outcomes.
Bonus Qualifications
- Experience in real-time or resource-constrained ML systems.
- Experience with GPU acceleration, profiling, or low-level optimization.
Why work at Toyota Research Institute
- Work‑Life Balance: 4‑day workweek (every Friday off), flexible hybrid model, 4 weeks paid vacation, generous holiday schedule.
- Benefits: 401(k) with matching and profit sharing, medical/dental/vision, 16‑26 weeks paid parental leave, back‑up child/elder care, gender‑affirming care, fertility benefits, pet insurance, life insurance.
- Wellness & Development: Monthly well‑being stipend, on‑demand fitness/nutrition/mindfulness resources, employee assistance program, learning and development programs.
- Culture: Diverse and inclusive community; values‑driven collaboration; “how we work” is as important as what we do.
- Locations: Los Altos (HQ, Silicon Valley) and Cambridge, MA (robotics lab). Remote/hybrid options available.
- Engineering Culture: Strong emphasis on research excellence, PhD‑heavy environment, opportunity to publish and patent, intern program for top students.