ACADEMY OF VISUAL ARTS

Project Title: Collaborative Artistic Production With Generative Adversarial Networks

This project examines how Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) can be used as a method for artistic production and research. This project occurs in four phases: 1) an experimental form of data visualisation that will transform text input to 3D mesh objects; 2) using 3D scanned objects as a data set to create new objects that experiment with GANs ability to analyze patterns in training data; 3) the employment of GANs as part of both concatenative synthesis processes and the development of self-organized trees of musical events in a musical performance; and 4) an ethnographic study of how artists and musicians collaborate with computer scientists. Our team will combine existing research from computer science to develop new creative tools, produce new datasets with both research and cultural heritage value, commission a new series of artworks, exhibitions, and performances, and publish our findings in academic journals.

We are looking for a Senior Research Assistant to help develop the GAN system in collaboration with a professional external consultant. This system will focus on the creation of 3D mesh objects, and collaborate and share data with external advisors working on all four stages of the project. The candidate must have experience in computer programming and knowledge of recent developments in GANs, as well as willingness and flexibility to experiment and work with creative media-based academics and external consultants. This project is directly connected to the establishment of a new digital media production and fabrication laboratory. The Senior Research Assistant will have access to this laboratory as a workspace, and it is expected that he/she will help in the operation of this laboratory.  Those with less work experience will be considered for the position of Research Assistant.

Duties:

- In collaboration with a professional consultant, implement two GAN systems that will have 3D mesh outputs

- Collect training data

- Parametrize training data

- Implement GAN system

- Maintain records of GAN system development

- Attend project meetings (remotely and/or person as external circumstances allow)

- Provide ready access to all experimental data for project PIs

- Collaborate and train project PIs to use the GAN system

- Collaborate with external consultants on system development and implementation

Requirements:

- A Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in computer science plus relevant experience in the field of GAN and computer graphics

- Knowledge of recent developments with Generative Adversarial Networks

- Experience in 3D file formats

- Experience in data visualisation

- Experience in programming

- Ability to experiment and adapt to project requirements

- Ability to work with artists and academics on a programming-based task

Reference salary range: HK$11,000 – HK$23,500

If you have questions regarding the application, please contact Dr. Peter Nelson at peteracnelson@hkbu.edu.hk.

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Application Procedure:

Applicants are invited to submit their applications at the HKBU e-Recruitment System (jobs.hkbu.edu.hk). Those not invited for interview 8 weeks after the closing date may consider their applications unsuccessful. Details of the University’s Personal Information Collection Statement can be found at  http://pers.hkbu.edu.hk/pics.

The University reserves the right not to make an appointment for the post advertised, and the appointment will be made according to the terms and conditions then applicable at the time of offer.

Closing date: until the position is filled