Opportunities: Postdoctoral Researcher

Disney Research is seeking to hire world-class postdoctoral researchers in the following areas of focus, each of which has potential for significant economic benefit to businesses of The Walt Disney Company: Speech & Sound Processing, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Mining, Materials, Displays, Sensors, and Embedded Systems.

Disney Research is a network of research labs offering the best attributes of academia and industry. We highly encourage publication; it is our principal mechanism for quality control. We also encourage engagement with the global research community through university collaborations and leadership service in top-tier research conferences. We work actively with business units of The Walt Disney Company at all stages of research, from conception to commercialization—where results may be enjoyed by an audience of millions. In some cases, labs are embedded within business units; in others, they are co-located with universities.

A postdoctoral position is limited to a term of one to two years, with a research portfolio that includes projects led by a Senior Research Scientist or Research Scientist, as well as smaller self-initiated projects. Self-initiated projects should be based on needs gathered from the business units, areas of expertise available in the labs, and knowledge of the research frontier. Typical responsibilities of a Postdoctoral Researcher include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Collaborate with experts and executives in Disney's businesses to identify research problems worthy of research investment.
  • Independently conceive of and propose research problems that are relevant to Disney's businesses.
  • Conduct research inspired by those problems.
  • Conduct research directed by an assigned Senior Research Scientist or Research Scientist.
  • Present research problems, plans, and results.
  • Document research in internal reports, peer-reviewed publications, and patent applications.
  • Work with Disney's businesses to commercialize research results.
  • Provide expert consulting to various business units of The Walt Disney Company.

Important Application Information:

Our system allows for the uploading of multiple documents to your candidate profile. In order to be considered for this opportunity, you must include your most current CV along with a cover letter that details your area of specialization and geographic preferences. We also request that you provide a link to, or upload copies of, representative papers to your candidate profile. If you are selected to move forward in the process, we will request that you provide the names and contact information of three or more individuals who have been asked to provide letters of reference.