Research Associate

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Job summary:

We are seeking a multimodal designer/developer to take on a central role in the Shared Reality Lab’s open source IMAGE project (image.a11y.mcgill.ca), focused on making photos, charts, and maps available to people who are blind or low vision. We have two grants starting in Q1 2023, focused on integrating haptic force feedback and pin array devices into IMAGE.

The candidate will work with a multidisciplinary team of user experience researchers, designers, and developers who will support in designing and implementing multimodal audio and haptic experiences that will delight our end users. The primary requirement is a strong background and passion for owning design through implementation of multimodal experiences, in a rapid user-centered design cycle, spanning user needs analysis, designing, prototyping, and implementation for public release.

Although we list many requirements below, we do not expect the candidate to be expert in all of them, since we anticipate bringing on additional students or hires to assist with specific areas where the candidate does not yet have the necessary experience. If you are weak in some areas, but are a quick learner, please apply, since we can work with you to fill in specific gaps. Other IMAGE designers and developers will assist you as needed, but you will be the owner of the multimodal design and implementation parts of IMAGE.

The position is intended as a full-time position, but there a possibility of part-time employment instead upon request from the employee. 18 months contract with possibility of renewal.

Qualifications:

PhD degree and at least five (5) years of research experience.

Other Qualifying Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated experience designing and creating multimodal experiences, including audio and, preferably, haptics. Please include portfolio, or links to projects.

• Audio synthesis experience. IMAGE currently uses SuperCollider, but the first task after joining would be to review this architecture, explore options for client-side rendering in web browsers and on mobile devices, and propose tools and an architecture that will take IMAGE into the future. This may include WebAudio, and/or designing and implementing an API exposing non-realtime synthesis in SuperCollider to developers who are not familiar with it.

• Ability to work with user experience researchers to define specific implementation requirements to meet end user needs

• Prototyping and user testing experience

• Software architecture, design, and documentation, including creating usable solutions for developers and content creators

• Linux command line

• Familiar with (or able to quickly learn) Docker, containerization, network layer designs, client/server design

• Git, and Github flow method of raising and merging pull requests

• Python, Javascript

• JSON schema definition

• Mentoring junior designers/developers

• Bonus: French, spoken and/or written

• Bonus: Experience working with the blind/low vision community

Hourly Salary:

$28.44

Hours per Week:

40 (Full time)

Location:

McConnell Eng. Bldg.

Supervisor:

Professor

Position Start Date:

2023-02-15

Position End Date:

2024-08-10

Deadline to Apply:

2023-02-09

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [email protected] .