Demo

Research Scientist

Pixar Animation Studios
Pixar Animation Studios Salary
Emeryville, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 5/25/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 6/24/2026
Conduct world-class research in computer graphics and AI to develop innovative solutions for Pixar and Disney film productions. This role bridges the gap between academic research and practical studio application.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Research & Innovation: Identify and solve complex graphics/AI problems; design, develop, and deploy scalable algorithms and prototype software.

  • Production Collaboration: Work directly with artists, technical directors, and engineers to address real-world production challenges under tight deadlines.

  • Leadership & Publication: Lead research projects, publish results in peer-reviewed journals (e.g., SIGGRAPH), and maintain Pixar’s presence in the global research community.

  • Strategy: Stay current on emerging technologies and provide recommendations for studio adoption.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, AI, or a related field.

  • Experience: 2 years of post-graduate research experience in academia or industry R&D.

  • Track Record: Sustained history of original research and publications in top-tier forums (ACM SIGGRAPH, CVPR, NeurIPS) and recognized leadership in the field.

  • Technical Skills: Deep expertise in at least one area of graphics/AI, solid coding skills, and the ability to analyze cutting-edge technologies.

SKILLS:

  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills across diverse roles (artists to executives).

  • Ability to manage multiple tasks independently and within a team.

  • Strong presentation and technical writing capabilities.

  • Commitment to diverse perspectives and collaborative innovation.

The hiring range for this position in Emeryville is $162,945.00 to $210,870.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors.

Salary : $162,945 - $210,870

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Research Scientist?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Research Scientist career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$108,245 - $136,486
Income Estimation: 
$136,683 - $171,343
Income Estimation: 
$100,407 - $125,193
Income Estimation: 
$120,989 - $162,093
Income Estimation: 
$74,806 - $91,633
Income Estimation: 
$71,928 - $87,026
Income Estimation: 
$145,337 - $174,569
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Pixar Animation Studios

  • Pixar Animation Studios Emeryville, CA
  • The Software R&D Core team designs and develops foundational libraries and technologies used by software engineers across Pixar and the broader industry to... more
  • 1 Day Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Research Scientist jobs in the Emeryville, CA area that may be a better fit.

  • pirecareers Berkeley, CA
  • Job Title Research Scientist Shift Type Education Doctorate Location Prevention Research Center - Berkeley, CA 94704 US (Primary) Remote (Virtual) - US - U... more
  • 3 Days Ago

  • The Walt Disney Company Emeryville, CA
  • Conduct world-class research in computer graphics and AI to develop innovative solutions for Pixar and Disney film productions. This role bridges the gap b... more
  • 15 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!