Building a compelling Metaverse experience starts with enabling our billions of users to represent and express themselves the way they want to in the digital world. Avatars are the key to meaningful connections in the Metaverse and our research team is at the forefront of helping understand avatar user needs and building compelling and iconic avatars for the future of digital representation. In addition to avatars, our team also enables AI-driven agents, NPCs and companion characters that enable our users to navigate the virtual worlds of Horizon (Meta’s primary metaverse app) and express their identity and personality to connect meaningfully with others. The Generative AI Experiences team within the Avatars Pillar is responsible for creating compelling AI-generated characters and character-enabled experiences that facilitate users to represent and express themselves. The goal for our team is to build characters that people love. The person in this role will help us figure out (through research) what will make our users fall in love with our AI-driven characters.UX Research Scientist, Avatars Generative AI Experiences Team ResponsibilitiesConduct mixed-methods research to better understand user needs and support the development of compelling AI characters for the MetaverseLead research for our Generative AI-driven agents, characters and companions, specifically helping understand user needs for these characters, researching technical affordances required for building them and supporting creators build these characters themselves in the MetaverseDefine the future of digital representation for billions of Meta’s users and the future of virtual characters for the Metaverse, both at Meta and consequently for the worldWork with the technology of tomorrow, including AI-driven agents, Codec avatars and AR smart glassesWork with avatars and characters across a broad spectrum of use cases created by both first-party and third party partners and also across both mobile surfaces (eg. smartphone applications) and immersive devices (eg. Quest VR headsets & AR smart glasses).Minimum QualificationsPhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Human-Computer Interaction or a related fieldMixed methods research experience with both qualitative and quantitative research methodsExperience with conducting mixed-method experiments with human subjects and triangulating qualitative, quantitative and behavioral dataExperience conducting research in a product environment in industryPreferred QualificationsExperience with GenerativeAI products and features, including technical knowledge about how AI-enabled agents and Large Language Models workResearch and product experience with virtual characters, virtual humans, conversational agents and virtual companionsExperience working with cross-functional groups and teamsDemonstrated experience with creating high quality research deliverables For those who live in or expect to work from California if hired for this position, please click here for additional information. About Meta Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics. $103,000/year to $163,000/year + bonus + equity + benefitsIndividual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta. Equal Employment Opportunity Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. You may view our Equal Employment Opportunity notice here. Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, fill out the Accommodations request form.