Science and Technology Associates, Inc (STA) is seeking a DARPA BTO - Sr. Scientist/SETA (Neurotechnology)

Science and Technology Associates, Inc (STA) is seeking a DARPA BTO - Sr. Scientist/SETA (Neurotechnology)

Scientist /Technical Program Manager (DARPA BTO) – Neurotechnology Thrust

Job Description:

Science and Technology Associates, Inc. (STA) is seeking a Technical SETA / Sr. Scientist to support the development of several Neurotechnology based programs within the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Biological Technologies Office (BTO). This is a full-time position, and the work will take place on-site in Arlington, VA. Qualified candidates will provide the Program Manager with a range of scientific, programmatic and advisory support. This position requires eligibility for a Secret level clearance and U.S. citizenship.
Planned programs in this area seek to explore non-invasive and minimally invasive brain interface approaches and to build out that interface to increase use and extend human cognition to external systems. Exceptionally strong candidates would have appropriate technical understanding in the following areas: neurotechnology and recent brain-computer interface (BCI) approaches and limitations, cellular targeting, signal analysis, and nano and quantum approaches for BCI.
An ideal candidate would have previous experience supporting DARPA, or similar DoD program efforts. 

Position Responsibilities:

• Full lifecycle Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) support to a DARPA BTO Program Manager (PM);
• Support the Government PM in all technical aspects;
• Provide technical advice to the Government PM in a range of potential areas, which include: Neurotechnology, Brain-Computer Interface (BCI), Cellular Targeting, Signal Analysis, and Nano and Quantum approaches to BCI;
• Develop and refine concepts and specify program deliverables;
• Identify and maintain relationships with performers and transition partners;
• Assistance with solicitation and source selection administration and support;
• Analyze technical performers’ performance, deliverables, and publications;
• Survey and summarize relevant government, academic, and contracted research.

Position Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must be eligible for at least a Secret level clearance
• Must possess a PhD in a Neuroscience related discipline.
• Must possess 5+ years of Program or Project Management experience.
• Must possess demonstrated experience and expertise in Neurotechnology, Brain-Computer Interface (BCI), Cellular Targeting, Signal Analysis, and Nano and Quantum approaches to BCI.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and coordination skills.
• Strong ability to work in a professional teaming environment.
• Creative problem solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail
• Experience in project or program management.
• Previous experience supporting DoD or IC agency client(s), with previous DARPA, IARPA, or DHS S&T program management experience is highly preferred.

Job Location: 

• It is anticipated that over 95% of time will be spent on-site at the client facility in Arlington, VA (two blocks from the Ballston stop on the WMATA orange line). Compensation:
• STA seeks to fill this position with a talented and self-motivated individual. Accordingly, compensation shall be commensurate with experience. STA also offers a highly generous benefits package that far exceeds industry standards, and maintains a working environment geared towards creating long-term relationships with employees.

Job Type:

• Full-time
• Anticipated start date of August 1, 2017.


Company Description

About Science and Technology Associates, Inc.: Science and Technology Associates, Inc. (STA) was established in 1982 with the purpose of providing technical and programmatic SETA support to clients throughout the Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC). Over the past three-plus decades STA has built a reputation among our clients for offering technically superior expertise, and is comprised of a personnel team that possess an unrivaled level of experience and expertise in our serviced markets. STA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
All hiring decision are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions.

What software is typically used to make CGI movies?

What software is typically used to make CGI movies?
source: https://www.quora.com/What-software-is-typically-used-to-make-CGI-movies

Giorgio Marino, Digital Artist for Feauture Film-VFX since 2008
Answered May 31, 2016

That is kind of a very generic question, but I try to break it down.

First of, like already mentioned, all of the bigger studios have in house software that is not accessible out of that working envoriment. That is true for companies that make full CG feature film animation Movies and for companies who do combine VFX with filmed plates for feature film.

Talking for feature film:
I will just mention those who I see more often in real use during production. Probably not complete, but it gives you an idea. I also try to write for what you would use that piece of software, but for sure you can do more with it as what I am writing down.

- Photoshop: concept art/texturing/matte painting
- Nuke: compositing/3D projections/small particle set ups/roto/prep
- After effects: motion graphics/ compositing (never saw it in feature film, but I know it is used for commercials and TV productions)
- Maya: modeling/animation/rigging/shading/skinning/simulation/lighting/layout
- Houdini: modeling/animation/rigging/shading/skinning/simulation/lighting
- renderman: shading/lighting/rendering
-ZBrush: modeling/concept art/texturing/3D sculpting/prototyping
- MudBox: modeling/concept art/texturing/3D sculpting/prototyping
- Modo: Modeling/texturing
- Mari: texturing
- Realflow: simulation
- Arnold: rendering/shading/lighting
- clarisse: rendering/shading/lighting
- 3D Studio Max: (I saw this just in a very few VFX companies, more used for video games) modeling/animation/rigging/shading/skinning/simulation/lighting/layout
- massive: crowd simulation
- vray: lighting/shading/rendering
- rv : image sequence player(mono/stereo/can handle different types of colour LUTs)
- framecycler: image sequence player(mono/stereo/can handle different types of colour LUTs)
-katana: lighting/look development
- 3d equalizer: camera tracking
- boujou: camera tracker
- silhouetteFX : rotoscoping
- Vue: 3D envoriments
- shotgun: planning/scheduling/client and internal comments database

Those are the first ones that come to my mind. Besides that, there are a lot of awesome plugins or mini software:

- optical flares: creates awesome flares. For After effects and Nuke
- crazy bump: creates super fast nice bump maps

And a lot more that just do not come to mind at the moment.

Each of those software pieces are then implemented in the company pipeline and enhanced with extra functions or in-house made plugins.

Each program has its own strength and is most often used in combination with another software. For example you could model your 3D geometry in maya, import it in zbrush to give nice details and then texture in Mari with additional tons of detail.

So in case you are planning on creating your own CGI movie, just figure out what you want to do and then select the software that is best for different tasks. Set up a basic pipeline and database so you can keep track of each shot.

For small productions you can do a full CG movie just with Maya/cinema 4d/3D s max.

It really depends on what you have in mind.

 CGI Dreamworks Animation Studio Pipeline

Read more at the source link: https://www.quora.com/What-software-is-typically-used-to-make-CGI-movies

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Copyright ©2017, Software Developer, All rights reserved.
See Contents

Computer Animated Movies Not Made By Pixar

Computer Animated Movies Not Made By Pixar [continued...]


Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017)

Spark (2017)

Trolls (2016)

Rango (2011) 
Rango is a 2011 American 3D computer-animated Western action comedy film directed by Gore Verbinski, written by John Logan, and produced by Verbinski, Graham King (see GK Films) and John B. Carls. Rango was a critical and commercial success, and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Its awards can be found here. More Info:
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rango_(2011_film)
   http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1192628/

Megamind (2010) 

Tangled (2010)

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009)

Kung Fu Panda (2008)

Madagascar (2005)
Madagascar is a 2005 American computer-animated comedy film produced by DreamWorks Animation and released to theaters on May 27, 2005. More Info:
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madagascar_(2005_film)
   http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0351283/

Ice Age (2002)  

Shrek (2001)




 

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Copyright ©2017, Software Developer, All rights reserved.
See: Computer Animation Filmmaking 

What is neuro design?

What is neuro design?

Neuro design is the use of insights from neuroscience and psychology in creating more effective designs. What can psychology and neuroscience tell us about what is really driving where we look in-store and online, what we choose to click on or pick up, what makes us share an image on a social network, and what image cues help drive a purchase decision? Neuro design also draws on other related fields to help build our understanding of why people react in the way they do to designs – fields such as computer image analysis (the ability of computers to analyse the composition of images, or even recognize what is shown in the image), behavioural economics (the study of how we make choices – often apparently irrationally – in spending our money) and evolutionary psychology (a branch of psychology that aims to explain behaviours in terms of how they would have evolved to help our ancestors survive). Designers already use their own intuition in creating designs, and then in looking at the designs they have created to judge with their own eyes how ‘right’ they look, and making adjustments accordingly. They will also use a body of principles built up over the years amongst designers for how to create good design. Neuro design just adds to these principles. As neuroscience and psychology research have accumulated a lot of information over recent decades, they have many things to say about the common factors that influence whether people will like a design. This research has accelerated in recent years, including the founding of a specialized field – neuroaesthetics – that specifically studies the factors that influence whether our brains respond positively to images.
 

Neuro Design By: Darren Bridger

ISBN-13: 978-0-7494-7888-9

RIAK TS

RIAK TS

Riak TS Features
source: http://basho.com/products/riak-ts/


RESILIENCY

Eliminate downtime!
 Riak TS has a masterless architecture that automatically replicates data to ensure that your time series data is always available even in the event of hardware or network failures.


SCALABILITY

Easily scale up and down.
 Riak TS is a distributed system that easily scales to meet peak demand. You can add and remove capacity seamlessly using commodity hardware for near-linear performance improvement.


OPERATIONAL SIMPLICITY

Easy to operate at scale.
 With Riak TS, you can easily add nodes to your cluster and automatically and uniformly distribute data across the cluster. Riak TS is simple to set up and upgrade, and makes it easy to add and remove capacity on demand.



DATA CO-LOCATION

Faster read access.
 Riak TS co-locates data together in the same physical part of the cluster based on time range. This enables faster queries so that your time series data is faster to read and analyze.


SQL COMMANDS

Define semi-structured data.
 Using Riak TS, semi-structured data can be stored in a schema with defined fields making data easy to read using SQL queries. Data co-location and range queries makes reading your data fast.


SQL RANGE QUERIES

Time-based queries.
 SQL queries can consist of standard select statements, which allow you to specify a time range and choose fields within your table. This makes it easy to read and analyze your time series data.



AGGREGATIONS

Rollup and analyze data.
 Over time, individual data points are less valuable than aggregate data. When querying large data sets, built-in aggregation dramatically reduces the time it takes to build and run queries.


DATA EXPIRY

Delete unnecessary data.
 Riak TS includes data expiry, which allows you to specify when aged data is removed from the database. Once configured, data that only needs to be persisted for a limited time will be automatically and efficiently deleted.


APACHE SPARK CONNECTOR

Integrated operational analytics.
 Efficiently analyze data from Riak TS in Apache Spark and store results back in Riak. This seamless integration ensures easier and faster operational analysis of time series data.



ROBUST APIS AND CLIENT LIBRARIES

Build time series applications easily.
 Code in Java, Ruby, Python, Erlang, Node.js. — Riak TS makes it easy to build your IoT and time series applications.



MULTI-CLUSTER REPLICATION

Replicate clusters locally or globally
 Riak TS makes it easy to replicate clusters across your datacenter or around the world for data geo-location, secondary analytics, or business continuity.



APACHE MESOS FRAMEWORK

Better Resource Management
 The Riak Meso Framework provides cluster resource management and “push button” scale-up / scale down for Riak nodes.

Sony is seeking a Senior Software Engineer for Cognitive Deep Learning

Sony is seeking a Senior Software Engineer for Cognitive Deep Learning

Job Description

Senior/Senior Staff Software Engineer, Cognitive Deep Learning
PlayStation HQ in San Mateo, CA
Considering senior to senior staff level professional experience.
Are you passionate about bleeding edge technology? How would you like to influence the most successful gaming platform of all time? Do you want a career opportunity combining both your passion and skills as a software engineer while also allowing you to work with bleeding edge technology? Then you should check us out here at Sony PlayStation!
We have an exciting opportunity to join PlayStation! We seek a Senior Staff Software Engineer highly proficient in natural language research to develop advanced human machine interface (HMI) technology for our platform.

Responsibilities:

• Extensive knowledge of cognitive research on audio video processing for developing state-of-art machine learning technologies to recognize human intention, affection, and intelligence.
• Extensive knowledge of Natural Language Understanding, Deep Learning, AI / Machine Learning, image and speech processing.
• Speech prosody processing and visual object classification.
• Develop robust automatic speech recognition (ASR) technologies to control various kinds of distortions and variations such as channel and environment distortions, emotional speech, variety of speaking rate and speaking style for multiple languages.
• Improve acoustic model training and acoustic model adaptation for LVCSR usage.
• Expand existing LVCSR technology for multiple languages and applications.
• Integrate ASR with technologies, including microphone array, echo cancellation, speech enhancement, and other DSP processing for far-field voice recognition under noise.
• Help to debug and improve runtime voice recognition and sample voice applications for games.
• Other tasks assigned as necessary.

Required:

• Deep understanding of Voice Recognition Technologies
• Strength using C/C++ and script programming.
• Experience using Kaldi, HTK, SDKs and tools.
• Versed in DSP and speech processing technologies.
• Competent in word pronunciation handling.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Familiar with Linux and GPU usage.

Qualifications:

• Min. of 5 years’ experience in voice recognition and digital signal processing technologies, including graduate study period.
• Min. of 5 years’ experience focused in C/C++ programming and other scripting languages, including graduate study period.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
• An understanding of LVCSR at the lower level of development is a plus.
• Experience in multi-lingual speech and language processing is a plus.
• Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or equivalent is a plus.

Bayesian Deep Learning and Black Box Variational Inference

Bayesian Deep Learning and Black Box Variational Inference
Stanford University
Department of Statistics
Speaker:  Rajesh Ranganathan, Princeton University
Friday, February 24, 2017 - 3:30pm to 4:30pm

Title: Bayesian Deep Learning and Black Box Variational Inference
 
Abstract:
Scientists and scholars across many fields seek to answer questions in their respective disciplines using large data sets. One approach to answering such questions is to use probabilistic generative models. Generative models help scientists express domain knowledge, uncover hidden
structure, and form predictions. In this talk, I present my work on making generative modeling more expressive and easier to use. First, I present a multi-layer probabilistic model called deep exponential families (DEFs). Deep exponential families uncover coarse-to-fine hidden structure. These models can be used as components of larger models to solve applied problems, such as in recommendation systems or medical diagnosis. Though expressive, DEFs come with an analytical
challenge—scientists need to compute the hidden structure given observed data, i.e., posterior inference. Using classical methods for inference in DEFs is tedious and impractical for
non-experts. Thus, in the second part of the talk, I will describe my work on black box variational inference (BBVI). BBVI is an optimization-based algorithm to approximate the posterior. BBVI expands the reach of variational inference to new models, improves the fidelity of the approximation, and allows for new types of variational inference. We study BBVI in the context of DEFs to fit complex models of text, user behavior data, and medical records. Black box variational
methods make probabilistic generative models and Bayesian deep learning more accessible to the broader scientific community.

Procedural Content Generation for C++ Game Development

Procedural Content Generation for C++ Game Development

Procedural Content Generation for C++ Game Development

Procedural Content Generation for C++ Game Development
By: Dale Green
Publisher: Packt Publishing
Pub. Date: January 30, 2016
Print ISBN-13: 978-1-78588-671-3
Web ISBN-13: 978-1-78588-635-5
Pages in Print Edition: 304

Overview

Get to know techniques and approaches to procedurally generate game content in C++ using Simple and Fast Multimedia Library

About This Book

This book contains a bespoke Simple and Fast Multimedia Library (SFML) game engine with complete online documentation

Through this book, you’ll create games that are non-predictable and dynamic and have a high replayability factor

Get a breakdown of the key techniques and approaches applied to a real game.

Who This Book Is For

If you are a game developer who is familiar with C++ and is looking to create bigger and more dynamic games, then this book is for you. The book assumes some prior experience with C++, but any intermediate concepts are clarified in detail. No prior experience with SFML is required.

What You Will Learn

Discover the systems and ideology that lie at the heart of procedural systems

Use Random number generation (RNG) with C++ data types to create random but controlled results

Build levels procedurally with randomly located items and events

Create dynamic game objects at runtime

Construct games using a component-based approach

Assemble non-predictable game events and scenarios

Operate procedural generation to create dynamic content fast and easily

Generate game environments for endless replayability

In Detail

Procedural generation is a growing trend in game development. It allows developers to create games that are bigger and more dynamic, giving the games a higher level of replayability. Procedural generation isn’t just one technique, it’s a collection of techniques and approaches that are used together to create dynamic systems and objects. C++ is the industry-standard programming language to write computer games. It’s at the heart of most engines, and is incredibly powerful. SFML is an easy-to-use, cross-platform, and open-source multimedia library. Access to computer hardware is broken into succinct modules, making it a great choice if you want to develop cross-platform games with ease.

Using C++ and SFML technologies, this book will guide you through the techniques and approaches used to generate content procedurally within game development.

Throughout the course of this book, we’ll look at examples of these technologies, starting with setting up a roguelike project using the C++ template. We’ll then move on to using RNG with C++ data types and randomly scattering objects within a game map. We will create simple console examples to implement in a real game by creating unique and randomised game items, dynamic sprites, and effects, and procedurally generating game events. Then we will walk you through generating random game maps. At the end, we will have a retrospective look at the project.

By the end of the book, not only will you have a solid understanding of procedural generation, but you’ll also have a working roguelike game that you will have extended using the examples provided.

SFML

SFML (Simple and Fast Multimedia Library)

SFML is a cross-platform, object-oriented multimedia API, designed to provide a simple application programming interface (API) to various multimedia components in computers, that is written in C++. It provides a simple interface to ease the development of games and multimedia applications with bindings available for C, Crystal, D, Euphoria, Go, Java, Julia, .NET, Nim, OCaml, Python, Ruby, and Rust.

Mastering React Native

Mastering React Native

Mastering React Native

React Native is a library for creating mobile applications using familiar web technologies without sacrificing performance or the look and feel typically associated with fully native applications. It is built on top of Facebook’s open source JavaScript library, React, and indeed, iOS and Android applications created using the library are primarily written in JavaScript. Because one does not need to learn new languages, ecosystems, and best practices for each platform they work on, React Native is pushing the boundaries of what is possible for React developers.

In this book, we will look at the fundamental concepts of React and React Native, as well as the libraries and tools within the React Native ecosystem. We will also work towards the more practical goal of creating a complete React Native application. Finally, we’ll dig into useful and complex React Native concepts such as animation, navigation, native modules, testing and performance analysis. Upon turning over the last page of this book, you’ll be armed with the knowledge to create polished, sophisticated mobile applications using React Native.

Mastering React Native

• By: Eric Masiello; Jacob Friedmann
• Publisher: Packt Publishing
• Pub. Date: January 11, 2017
• Web ISBN-13: 978-1-78588-979-0
• Print ISBN-13: 978-1-78588-578-5
• Pages in Print Edition: 496

Effective C# - 50 Specific Ways to Improve Your C#

Effective C# - 50 Specific Ways to Improve Your C#

Effective C#: 50 Specific Ways to Improve Your C#, Third Edition

• By: Bill Wagner
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional
• Pub. Date: December 12, 2016
• Web ISBN-13: 978-0-13-457929-0
• Web ISBN-10: 0-13-457929-1
• Print ISBN-13: 978-0-672-33787-1
• Print ISBN-10: 0-672-33787-8
• Pages in Print Edition: 288

Crystal CG

Crystal CG
What is Crystal CG?

CGI

Crystal CG has the perfect combination of creativity and technological superiority, with harmonious integration of the digital world and the arts. We deliver compelling visual experiences with every delicate detail.

Animation

With skillful manipulation of cameras, our animations effectively interpret the design concept and philosophy to create impressive visual impact. We encourage creative inspiration from our staff, who discover new ways of using advancements in technology to best serve our client's needs.

Digital Scene

As an example of Crystal CG's commitment to innovation, we've created vivid scenes with lively activity while avoiding the complexity and cost to our clients by leaving the viewpoint stationary.

Virtual Reality

Our virtual reality, or VR rendering engine, provides the viewer with the incredible feeling of interacting within the scene. A computer simulation of a realistic but imaginary world, allows our client's audience to virtually experience all of the many attributes and dimensions of their project.

Crystal CG