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Principal R&D Scientist on Bots & Behaviors (H/F/NB)

Company Description

Ubisoft’s 18,000 team members, working across more than 30 countries around the world, are bound by a common mission to enrich players’ lives with original and memorable gaming experiences. Their commitment and talent have brought to life many acclaimed franchises such as Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Watch Dogs, Just Dance, Rainbow Six, and many more to come. Ubisoft is an equal opportunity employer that believes diverse backgrounds and perspectives are key to creating worlds where both players and teams can thrive and express themselves. If you are excited about solving game-changing challenges, cutting edge technologies and pushing the boundaries of entertainment, we invite you to join our journey and help us create the unknown.

Ubisoft Bordeaux

Founded in 2017, Ubisoft Bordeaux works with passion on the biggest AAA titles to deliver the best gaming experiences. Today, the studio is composed of 400 talents from 20 different nationalities, working on licenses such as Assassin's Creed, Beyond Good & Evil 2 and a free to play game, BattleCore Arena. At the same time, the studio has set up a Tech branch which works on all Ubisoft's online services (named Online Services) as well as on the Anvil game engine. Ubisoft Bordeaux is also home to a R&D team, La Forge, which brings together engineers and researchers to work together on prototypes for game production, particularly around AI topics.

Job Description

As Principal R&D Scientist on the topic of bots and behaviors, you’ll act as an innovation leader, a recognized domain expert who is accountable to articulate a research vision and execute a research portfolio that is coherent, ambitious, multidisciplinary and impacts concretely our core business.  

The position is geographically based in Ubisoft Bordeaux, within the French department of La Forge (Ubisoft La Forge | Ubisoft).

 

As a valued team member, you will

  • Lead strategic research projects, evaluations, innovation novel and emerging computer science technologies, trends, and best practices applicable to behaviors of bots and NPCs in game creations: player experience and creator assistance are two equally important sides to consider.
  • Explore innovative methods to accelerate production workflows with significant impact.
  • Collaborate extensively with internal and external leaders and specialists.
  • Provide strategic advice and suggestions for designing, implementing, operating, and optimizing production workflows tailored to meet the needs of new generations of games.

 

Responsibilities

  • Lead and coordinate the research team “bots & behaviors” (explorations, research directions and projects, internships, cooperations with production and other technology departments within Ubisoft on industrializations) with its researchers, students, academic partners. Build, update and communicate its roadmap, aka the “bots & behaviors cartography”. Make the link with La forge research engineers.
  • Supervise directly current French PhD students (on transfer learning, on human like behaviors) and future French PhD students, contribute to supervision of worldwide PhD students or PhD interns.
  • Identify and explore relevant academic concepts and lead their transformation into practical game technologies and production workflows.
  • Extensively collaborate with internal and external multidisciplinary teams to deliver ambitious prototypes, in game demonstrators, and ensure their adoption from an end user perspective.
  • Influence other departments roadmaps for designing, implementing, operating and optimizing production workflows for incoming and future games.
  • Share accessible insights with a variety of stakeholders, including upper management.

Qualifications

Education 

PhD in relevant scientific domains

Relevant experience  

  • 10 years’ experience or more and in-depth expertise related to the position.  
  • Background in applied or basic research (in industry or university) + ability to conduct research using standard experimental methodologies. 
  • Hands-on experience with cutting-edge techniques such as deep learning, reinforcement learning, algorithmic foundations or optimization.
  • Contributions to public research (ex. papers published in relevant venues such as NeurIPS, ICML, ACL, SIGGRAPH).
  • Supervision of PhDs or other researchers, HDR (Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches) or equivalent is an advantage.
  • Demonstrated experience in transforming research into operational success. 

Skills and Knowledge 

  • Technical expertise:
  1. Good knowledge of software engineering constraints.
  2. Recognized academic contributions (publication, conferences, etc.).
  • Curiosity, critical thinking and resourcefulness (you'll have access to world-class data, game engines and experts).
  • Innovative mindset, looking for solutions to real-world problems in the video game industry.
  • Speaking French is a plus.
  • A collaborative and user centric team player with excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Oriented towards business/company values. 

Skills and competencies show up in different forms and can be based on different experiences, that's why we strongly encourage you to apply even though you may not have all the requirements listed above.

Additional Information

Contract: Permanent contract

Location: role based in Bordeaux – France

Remote: hybrid model

Recruitment process:

  1. First call with the Recruiter
  2. Interview with the Development Director
  3. Final interview with the team

If your application is not retained, you will receive a negative answer.

To find out more about our studio and Ubisoft's advantages, go to: https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/studio/bordeaux

At Ubisoft, you can come as you are. We embrace diversity in all its forms. We’re committed to fostering a work environment that is inclusive and respectful of all differences, we value diversity at our company and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability status. All personal informations will be treated as confidential according to the Employment Equity act.

Check out this guide to help you with your application, and learn about our actions to encourage more diversity and inclusion.

Average salary estimate

$95000 / YEARLY (est.)
min
max
$70000K
$120000K

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What You Should Know About Principal R&D Scientist on Bots & Behaviors (H/F/NB), Ubisoft

As the Principal R&D Scientist on Bots & Behaviors at Ubisoft Bordeaux, you are stepping into a pivotal role in an innovative team dedicated to redefining gameplay experiences through cutting-edge research. Working alongside a talented group of over 400 professionals from various backgrounds, you’ll be at the forefront of exploring advanced computer science technologies that enhance both bot behaviors and player experiences. You'll lead significant research initiatives, guiding a diverse team of researchers, PhD students, and academic partners to explore and implement innovative methodologies aimed at improving production workflows. The collaborative spirit at Ubisoft Bordeaux means you’re not only developing new strategies but also sharing valuable insights across departments. Whether you’re influencing the future of game development or supervising the next wave of PhD candidates, your expertise will help transform complex academic concepts into actionable game technologies. You will have the opportunity to tackle exciting challenges that push the boundaries of what's possible in gaming. If you thrive in a dynamic environment and have a passion for fostering advances in AI to create memorable player interactions, this is your chance to contribute to iconic franchises. So, if you’re ready to lead, innovate, and inspire, we can’t wait to have you aboard!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Principal R&D Scientist on Bots & Behaviors (H/F/NB) Role at Ubisoft
What are the primary responsibilities of the Principal R&D Scientist on Bots & Behaviors at Ubisoft Bordeaux?

The Principal R&D Scientist on Bots & Behaviors at Ubisoft Bordeaux is responsible for leading strategic research projects and coordinating the research team focused on bots and NPC behaviors. This role involves exploring cutting-edge techniques, influencing production workflows, and collaborating with various internal and external specialists to implement innovative solutions that enhance player experience and creator assistance.

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What qualifications are needed to become a Principal R&D Scientist on Bots & Behaviors at Ubisoft Bordeaux?

To qualify for the Principal R&D Scientist position at Ubisoft Bordeaux, candidates should possess a PhD in relevant scientific domains with at least 10 years of experience in the field. A strong background in applied or basic research is crucial, along with hands-on experience in techniques like deep learning and a proven record of transforming research into operational success.

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How does the Principal R&D Scientist on Bots & Behaviors contribute to game production at Ubisoft Bordeaux?

In the role of Principal R&D Scientist on Bots & Behaviors, you will drive innovation by exploring and implementing advanced technologies that impact game production workflows. Your leadership will shape the team’s research directions, ensuring the integration of sustainable methodologies that not only enhance gameplay but also provide significant assistance during the development process.

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What skills are critical for a Principal R&D Scientist on Bots & Behaviors at Ubisoft Bordeaux?

Critical skills for a Principal R&D Scientist on Bots & Behaviors at Ubisoft Bordeaux include a strong technical foundation in software engineering, innovative problem-solving capabilities, and excellence in collaboration and communication. Additionally, having an innovative mindset that seeks to create practical, real-world solutions using cutting-edge technologies is essential.

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What is the recruitment process like for the Principal R&D Scientist on Bots & Behaviors role at Ubisoft Bordeaux?

The recruitment process for the Principal R&D Scientist position at Ubisoft Bordeaux typically involves an initial call with a recruiter, followed by interviews with the Development Director and the team. This multi-step process ensures that candidates not only meet the technical requirements but also align with the cultural and collaborative values of the Ubisoft Bordeaux team.

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Common Interview Questions for Principal R&D Scientist on Bots & Behaviors (H/F/NB)
What experience do you have in leading research projects related to AI in games?

Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you led AI research initiatives, covering your methods, challenges faced, and outcomes. Highlight your ability to translate research findings into practical applications in game development.

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How do you approach multidisciplinary collaboration in research?

Express the value of diverse perspectives in research. Share examples of how you have successfully collaborated with experts from various fields to achieve a common goal, emphasizing communication and teamwork as key components.

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What methodologies do you prioritize when exploring bot behaviors?

Discuss your understanding of various methodologies, like reinforcement learning and deep learning, and give examples of how you've applied them effectively in past projects, emphasizing results and user experience improvements.

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How do you stay updated on the latest advancements in AI technology?

Mention your strategies for continuous learning, such as attending conferences, engaging with academic publications, and networking with industry professionals to stay informed about emerging trends and technologies.

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Can you provide an example of a successful prototype you developed?

Come prepared with a detailed example of a prototype you have led. Discuss the problem it addressed, the technologies used, and the impact it had on gameplay or production processes, demonstrating how it was adopted by users.

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What challenges have you faced when supervising students or junior researchers?

Illustrate your mentorship style by sharing specific challenges, how you addressed them, and the positive outcomes that resulted, including the growth of your supervisees and the overall project success.

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How would you influence and optimize production workflows for future games?

Discuss your strategies for identifying inefficiencies in existing workflows and how you would leverage your research to propose practical solutions that enhance productivity and encourage innovation.

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What is your experience with publishing research in relevant scientific venues?

Highlight your contributions to academic literature, mentioning specific publications and conferences where you've presented. Explain how this experience has informed your practical applications in industry.

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How do you ensure that your research aligns with business values at Ubisoft?

Express your understanding of how research can support Ubisoft's goals. Discuss how you would integrate business considerations into your research planning to ensure that outcomes directly benefit the company and its players.

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What tools or technologies do you prefer when developing AI behaviors for games?

Share your favored tools and technologies for AI development, explaining why you prefer them and any relevant experience you have with them in practical applications within the gaming sector.

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At Ubisoft, we are dedicated to enriching players' lives with original and memorable moments of play.

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Full-time, hybrid
DATE POSTED
January 27, 2025

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