Open Positions

Interested in joining us? The Active Perception Laboratory is an exciting place to work. By joining our team, you will have the possibility to contribute to research that is expanding the boundaries of current knowledge on how the visual system functions. Since our research is highly interdisciplinary, you will interact with lab members from a variety of fields including Neuroscience, Psychology, Engineering, and Physics. You will continually learn new skills and widen your horizons. Since the laboratory is jointly supported by two Principal Investigators, you will find a very rich environment, with a critical mass of lab members and a virtually unique array of experimental resources. Both are further amplified by the tremendous opportunities provided by the Center for Visual Science, one of the oldest centers in the field world-wide, and the superb environment in visual neuroscience and optics at the University of Rochester. Since the Active Perception Laboratory receives funding from both the government and industry, you will be able to work on a wide variety of projects and establish close collaborations with major technological corporations. And since the activities in the Active Perception Laboratory often require complementary skills and interests, you can get involved at multiple level of expertise, from undergraduate to post-doctoral. Below is a list of some of the current openings in the laboratory.

Graduate Applicants

Graduate students are the heart of the laboratory. They contribute to every aspect of its life and through their activities they continually shape its future. Graduate applicants typically come from the main departments to which the laboratory is affiliated, the Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences and the Department of Neuroscience. But several graduate applicants have come from the Institute of Optics and it is also possible to join the laboratory via other departments as well. Since the laboratory activities range widely in the set of expertise that are needed, we have room for students with a variety of backgrounds and interests. There is a wide range of flexibility on what graduate students do in the laboratory. Most students participate in both experimental and computational studies and acquire expertise with a variety of techniques, but some dedicate more time in one specific area or working with a specific approach or device. Some students also get involved with our engineering team in the development and refinement of new devices. Via our tight collaborations with major technological corporations, students also have the opportunity to establish strong connections with industry. The Active Perception Laboratory has a long prominent history of high-profile publications with students, and students have also appeared on patents that have originated from our activities. Students are typically supported by one or several of our research grants and spend most of their time conducting research. If you are interested in joining the Active Perception Laboratory as a graduate applicant, please contact the Principal Investigators of the laboratory Drs. Martina Poletti and Michele Rucci.

Computer Vision Scientist / Software Engineer

This position is a collaboration with a major technological company to help with the development of a new system for high-resolution eye-tracking and real-time gaze-contingent display control. The successful candidate will act as a liaison between the laboratory and the company. His/her primary responsibility will be to refine and further develop a new eye-tracking approach recently explored in the laboratory and integrate it with EyeRIS, a custom system for gaze-contingent updating of the stimulus.


The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated individual with an engineering background and previous experience in image processing and/or real-time control. Experience with C/C++ and CUDA is required. Experience with computer graphics, real-time systems, and optics is desirable. Ability to work well in a team is essential.


To apply, please send curriculum vitae, brief statement of research interests and accomplishments, and names of two references to Michele Rucci.

Postdoctoral Position in Vision Science

A postdoctoral position is available in the Active Perception Laboratory at the University of Rochester.


This position is part of an ongoing collaboration with Dr. Jonathan Victor at Cornell University and centers on the impact of eye movements on visual functions. The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated individual with experience in vision science and data analysis and the ability to work well in a team. A quantitative background and demonstrated interest in applying quantitative methods to neuroscience is preferable. Experience with signal processing, C++, computer graphics, and real-time control is a plus.


The Active Perception Laboratory is part of the Center for Visual Science at the University of Rochester, a center with a long history of fundamental accomplishments in vision science. CVS is composed by more than 35 research laboratories creating a vibrant and highly collaborative scientific community.


To apply, please send curriculum vitae, brief statement of research interests and accomplishments, and names of two references to Michele Rucci and Jonathan Victor.

Laboratory Technician and Engineer Positions

Interdisciplinary research group has two full-time positions open for a laboratory technician and an engineer to aid in the development of cutting-edge technology for vision sciences. If you like solving complex problems that intersect with both hardware and software, this is the job for you!


Major responsibilities include: (a) developing hardware and software for high-precision tracking of head and eye movements, including working with state-of-the-art motion capture systems and our in-house magnetic search coil system (b) contributing to the development of virtual reality systems with integrated eye-tracking technology; and (c) helping with the refinement of two new types of eye-trackers currently at a prototype stage in the laboratory. One of the two positions requires expertise with mechanical design and fabrication as well as basic electronics. Ability to work well in a team is essential, as well as self-motivation and the capability to work independently when needed.


Ideal Background:


(1) Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Biomedical, or Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field of study, and/or equivalent work experience. (2) 1+ years of experience with C++ and Matlab/Python (3) 1+ years of experience data acquisition and signal processing (4) Hands on experience with electrical circuits and/or mechanical design for one of the two positions.


The position comes with the standard benefits offered by the University of Rochester, including tuition benefits. The Active Perception Laboratory prides itself in being a supportive work environment, actively helping employees expand their skills and achieve their career ambitions. The lab welcomes applicants at any point in their career, including individuals who are considering graduate or medical school. If interested in this position, please send resume / curriculum vitae, cover letter, and names of two references to Professors Michele Rucci and Martina Poletti, mrucci@ur.rochester.edu and martina_poletti@urmc.rochester.edu