Apple Wants to Hire a Neuroscientist for a Secret Project

Are you a neuroscientist with five to 10 years of experience? If so, Apple may have a position that’s perfect for you.

The Cupertino tech juggernaut is looking to hire a “senior systems neuroscientist” for its Santa Clara-based Technology Development Team, according to a job listing that was first spotted by Twitter user Ryota Kanai.

Apple is requiring applicants to have five to 10 years of experience “designing experiments to investigate the neural correlates of perception, action, or cognition using human or animal models” — as well as a “deep expertise” in sensory perception and research relating to it.

Interestingly, that research includes experience in “multi-sensor and sensorimotor integration, depth perception, decision making, neural coding and decoding.”

The position is described as a “multi-faceted investigator” and requires applicants to work closely with engineers and scientists.

As far as what the neuroscientist will be working on, it’s basically anyone’s guess. The clearest thing the job description hints at is “building transformative neurotechnology” by way of studying the brain.

Why Does Apple Need a Neuroscientist?

The job could be related to the firm’s rumored augmented reality glasses, or perhaps to Siri and its artificial intelligence initiatives. Both are likely candidates.

The focus on vision and perception could boost the development of a functioning AR platform that people wear constantly in their day-to-day lives. Particularly as we have little to no real-world research on how such a system would affect the brain over the long-term.

Or the position could be related to Siri, per descriptions of carrying out “quantitative analysis of raw data.” That could hint at a vision-oriented feature for Siri. For example, Apple could use this research and insights to build a computer vision system that allows Siri to recognize objects or actions via a built-in camera on a device.

Of course, the job may also be related to Apple’s current product offerings. With the focus on digital health throughout the tech industry, it would make sense for Apple to foster research on how our brains interact and react to smartphones, tablets, and computers.

In fact, any potential neuroscientist hired by Apple may be working on all three products — or even systems that we haven’t even heard of yet.