Research Associate: 3D Asset Creation for Computer Games with Generative AI

Job reference: BMH-029963

Salary: £37,694 to £46,049 per annum, depending on relevant experience

Faculty/Organisational Unit: Biology, Medicine Health

Location: Oxford Road

Employment type: Fixed Term

Division/Team: Division of Informatics, Imaging & Data Science

Hours Per Week: 1 FTE

Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 16/10/2025

Contract Duration: 6 months

School/Directorate: School of Health Sciences

The Division of Informatics, Imaging and Data Science wishes to appoint a Research Associate to an exciting project exploring the creation of models of 3D objects for interactive experiences such as computer games.

Generative AI (GenAI) is beginning to play an important role in 3D asset creation, in games, film, TV and other media. Assets are digital representations of objects which can be used to build 3D worlds. This project will investigate state-of-the-art GenAI methods for the automatic and semi-automatic generation of production-ready 3D assets, for use in game engines and real-time 3D tools.

The project will investigate the gap between GenAI output and final assets that can be used, modified and improved by 3D artists.

The project will involve both technical research into ways of generating 3D surface meshes and close collaboration with artists, to understand their downstream workflows so that GenAI systems maximize productivity gains while retaining artist control.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please be aware that due to the number of applications we are unfortunately not able to provide individual feedback on your application.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to People.Recruitment@manchester.ac.uk.

Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Prof. Tim Cootes

Email : t.cootes@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support:

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Further particulars including job description and person specification are available on the University of Manchester website - click on the 'Apply' button above to find out more.

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