Technical 3D Artist

EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, is one of the most dynamic university campuses in Europe and ranks among the top 20 universities worldwide. The EPFL employs more than 6,000 people supporting the three main missions of the institutions: education, research and innovation. The EPFL campus offers an exceptional working environment at the heart of a community of more than 16,000 people, including over 12,000 students and 4,000 researchers from more than 120 different countries.

Your mission :

We are recruiting a new technical 3D artist to join the Laboratory for Experimental Museology (eM+) development team. eM+ is a transdisciplinary initiative at the intersection of immersive visualization technologies, aesthetics, and cultural and scientific (big) data. eM+ engages in research from scientific, artistic, and humanistic perspectives and promotes multisensory engagement using experimental platforms. You will join this dynamic team to deliver exceptional installations and exhibitions, in musuems and galleries, worldwide.

As a technical 3D artist you will be responsible for creating, combining, cleaning 3D models created from photogrammetry, creating PBR textures, UV mapping, and topology cleaning from CAD models. You will also provide support for model importation and creation, including rigging animated avatars. The ideal candidate will have expertise in 3D modeling software, photogrammetry, and animation. They will work closely with the engineering teams to ensure high-quality and efficient production. This position will be an essential part of bringing photorealistic 3D assets to life for our installations.

Main duties and responsibilities include :

• Photogrammetry scanning, in field photogrammetry and 3D reconstruction
• 3D model importation, optimization, texturing, export
• Photorealistic rendering results in visual installations

Your profile :

You have a passion for realistic 3D, proven experience in the field, and an interest in learning and developing new skills in a small and dynamic team.

You must have:

• Expertise in 3D modeling, such as Cinema4D, Maya, Blender.
• Knowledge of 3D scanning technologies, such as photogrammetry or laser scanning.
• Experience with PBR texturing, including creating and applying textures to 3D models.
• Knowledge of UV mapping, including how to unwrap and optimize UVs for texture mapping.
• Experience with topology cleaning and optimization of CAD models.
• Understanding of game engine optimization and export processes.
• Knowledge of industry-standard file formats, such as USD, Alembic, FBX, etc. and the ability to export and import assets between different 3D modeling software and game engines.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with the engineering team
• Good communication skills and traveling capability for capturing and working at partner place
• Interest in the world of museums, cultural heritage and the development of interactive and immersive systems for public engagement.

Would be nice to have:

• Ability to rig and animate 3D avatars.
• Knowledge of Houdini and procedural pipelines in general.
• Knowledge of real-time rendering pipelines, including Unity and Unreal Engine.
• Proficiency with industry-standard tools and pipelines for asset creation, such as Substance Painter and Quixel Mixer.
• Experience with Unreal Material and its node-based shader language, Unreal Shader Graph.
• Knowledge of programming languages, such as Python or C#, for scripting and automating tasks.
• Knowledge of physics simulation, particularly for cloth and hair.
• Experience with virtual reality and augmented reality development.
• Understanding of motion graphics and compositing software, such as After Effects.
• Familiarity with motion capture data processing and retargeting.
• Understanding of real-time lighting and shadow optimization techniques.

We offer :

• A unique framework at the forefront of innovation of visualization and immersive experience
• A stimulating work place engaging across disciplines
• A small dynamic team with unique opportunities worldwide
• Diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility

Start date :
As soon as possible

Term of employment :
Fixed-term (CDD)

Duration :
CDD 1 year renewable

Remark :
Only candidates who applied through EPFL website or our partner Jobup’s website will be considered. Files sent by agencies without a mandate will not be taken into account.

Reference :
Job Nb 2842

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