Internship | Development and Evaluation of SOCIAL VR/XR Communication systems

In the TNO MediaLab, we create innovative media technologies aimed at providing people with new and rich media experiences, which they can enjoy wherever, whenever and with whomever they want. To enable this, we mainly develop video streaming solutions, working from the capture side to the rendering side, looking at many of the aspects involved: coding, transport, synchronization, orchestration, digital rights management, service delivery, etc.. In many cases, we do this work directly for customers such as broadcasters and content distributors.

As part of this, we are currently innovating and developing technical solutions to allow communication in photo-realistic Extended Reality (XR) with the potential of transforming the everyday communication of people. This is on the one hand to allow new forms of communication in Digital Worlds that are currently not possible and on the other hand to allow better communication of people across any distance in space. This will have a direct impact on the life of tomorrow and a more sustainable future (to name a few: inclusion of the elderly, inclusion of people with disabilities, allowing people to travel less, breaking communication barriers, creating more awareness for diversity/climate change/populism, better teaching by bringing people to the real place of events).

If you want to know more:

Check out this talk about our latest developments:

• https://ibc.gallery.video/ibctv/detail/video/6088844633001/ibc2019-conference:-tech-talk:-forging-the-next-generation-of-360%C2%B0-entertainment?t=2872s

Check out our website with many reading references:

• https://tnomedialab.github.io/#immersive-media

We are actively looking for students to contribute to evaluating, analysing and improving our current technical development and innovation work. This is the technical development of our Social VR communication platform (i.e. prototyping), e.g. WebXR programming, working on spatial audio, 3D video, spatial orchestration, multi-media synchronization, network QoS evaluation, Video Evaluation (PSNR/SSIM), and many more.

Some examples of assignments could involve:

• QoS / QoE in VR/XR communication systems (SocialVR/XR)
• System optimizations on volumetric video over WebRTC and WebXR
• 6DOF for 360-degree SocialVR/XR communication systems
• WebVR / WebXR / WebGL shaders for enhanced real-time photo-realistic volumetric video

The expected duration of an internship project is 6-9 months including the possibility of writing your thesis and/or taking part in a paper writing. Further, for this work it is expected to be at least 4 days a week in our TNO location New Babylon at The Hague Central station.

Top students are invited to apply. We are looking for students with a technical background and relevant programming experience. Experience with media technology or virtual reality is a bonus. We expect a pro-active attitude, enthusiasm, curiosity and an eagerness to learn and explore. Further you should be familiar with one or more of the following technologies:

• JavaScript (in particular: React, node.js, WebVR, WebXR, Three.js, Aframe or WebGL shaders)
• GStreamer
• Janus
• Computer-mediated Communication Systems
• System Factors (QoS and QoE)

Keywords here are: VR, XR, Web development, Distributed Systems, QoS, QoE.

Typical expected student background:

• Computer science;
• Software engineering;
• Telematics;
• Electrical engineering;
• Media and communication.

You want an internship opportunity on the precursor of your career; an internship gives you an opportunity to take a good look at your prospective future employer. TNO goes a step further. It’s not just looking that interests us; you and your knowledge are essential to our innovation. That’s why we attach a great deal of value to your personal and professional development. You will, of course, be properly supervised during your work placement and be given the scope for you to get the best out of yourself. 

At TNO you have the chance to work with top scientists from within our organization as well as from other international institutes and companies. We have excellent lab facilities where tests can be performed. We also encourage contributing the results to one or more renowned conferences such as IEEE and ACM.
TNO fosters ground-breaking research in a very wide range of domains such as energy, smart cities, optics, space, mobility, and telecommunications. We continuously seek to challenge ourselves with new research questions, from the market and academia, to remain at the forefront of technology breakthrough.

Furthermore, we provide:

• A highly professional, innovative internship environment, within a team of top experts.
• A suitable internship allowance (615 euro for wo-, hbo- and mbo-students, for a full-time internship).
• Possibility of eight hours of free leave per internship month (for a full-time internship).
• A free membership of Jong TNO, where you can meet other TNO professionals and join several activities, such as sports activities, (work-related) courses or the yearly ski-trip.
• Use of a laptop.
• An allowance for travel expenses in case you don’t receive an OV-card.

At TNO, we innovate for a healthier, safer and more sustainable life. And for a strong economy. Since 1932, we have been making knowledge and technology available for the common good. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. There is all the space and support for your talent and ambition. You work with people who will challenge you: who inspire you and want to learn from you. Our state-of-the-art facilities are there to realize your vision. What you do at TNO matters: impact makes the difference. Because with every innovation you contribute to tomorrow’s world. Read more about TNO as an employer.

At TNO we encourage an inclusive work environment, where you can be yourself. Whatever your story and whatever unique qualities you bring to the table. It is by combining our unique strengths and perspectives that we are able to develop innovations that make a real difference in society. Want to know more? Read what steps we are taking in the area of diversity and inclusion.

After the first CV selection, the application process will be conducted by the concerning department. TNO will provide a suitable internship agreement. If you have any questions about this vacancy, you can contact the contact person mentioned below.

For this internship vacancy it is required that the AIVD issues a security clearance (VGB) after conducting a security screening. Take into account that this process may take about 8 weeks. If you have been abroad for more than 6 consecutive months, or if you do not have the Dutch nationality, it may take longer. Read more about security screening on the AIVD website.

Important to be aware of before applying:

• Before the start of the internship, the internship agreement from TNO needs to be signed. For students at a college or university based in the Netherlands, TNO uses the UNL-template (supplemented with a number of specific agreements from TNO). For students of foreign and MBO educational institutions, the TNO internship agreement applies. TNO does not sign any other internship agreements.
• Before the start of the internship, the educational institution will need to confirm in writing that:

1. you are enrolled at the educational institution during the internship, and;
2. the internship takes place as part of the programme of the study.

• The confirmation of educational institution takes place by signing the UNL template or forms prepared by TNO.
• Interns at TNO must be in possession of a Dutch residential address at the start of the internship. Performance of internship activities from abroad is not possible.