PhD or PostDoc Position in Equitable and Accessible AI

PhD or PostDoc Position in Equitable and Accessible AI Job Code 3782 Department Inclusive Design Research Centre Employment Type Temporary/Contract OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we live, work and create The Inclusive Design Research Centre seeks a researcher/developer at the post-doctoral or PhD candidate level to join an interdisciplinary team co-designing and developing tools and policies that address the opportunities and risks of AI for people and communities experiencing accessibility and/or intersectional barriers. We take an inclusive co-design approach, exploring the technical, legal, policy, social and person-specific dimensions to co-design more equitable and accessible AI.

About the Role

We are looking for a researcher/developer to collaborate in exploring how AI technologies can be more accessible and equitably designed, deployed, used, governed, and challenged. This could involve analysing and measuring how systems operate in practice, conducting research into their use and impact, co-designing and developing tools, technical mechanisms, and governance/regulatory strategies that support effective accessibility, equity, accountability, transparency, and oversight. You will join a supportive interdisciplinary co-design team to address critical challenges in understanding and shaping how AI systems are approached, developed, used, and governed to align with inclusive design values.

Who We Are

Looking For We are seeking candidates with technical knowledge and skills in AI development to complement a team of disability community members, inclusive designers, inclusive developers, researchers and global AI expert advisors.

Responsibilities

• Participate in a co-design team to offer technical expertise and develop prototypes that respond to criteria specified by intended beneficiaries
• Iteratively refine approaches in response to feedback
• Support the supervision, instruction, mentoring, and development of students/junior researchers.
• Collaborate with disability communities and researchers, contributing to a supportive and engaged co-design environment.
• Contribute to shaping new research agendas, funding proposals, and collaborative projects within and beyond the group.
• Help drive broader impact activities, including engagement with policy, industry, or the public where appropriate.

Qualifications

• A PhD degree (completed, in progress, near-completion, or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline
• A demonstrated interest in accessible and equitable AI
• A demonstrated ability in applying current AI development tools to address AI risks and opportunities for minorities
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively in a diverse team setting
• Candidate has experience with web-app programming -- HTML, CSS, JavaScript and TypeScript.
• Experience with the following is considered an asset: ARIA, Working with git and github Preact Vite and Jest. Natural language processing (NLP) experience, e.g, spaCy, whisper Willing to read materials about Blisssymbolics and acquire a baseline understanding of the Bliss language and how it works. Experience with AAC devices and access methods. Knowledge of Unicode and working with fonts. Opportunities and Environment Candidates will have access to:
• A highly interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment.
• Opportunities to engage with community organizations, as well as public and private organizations driving policy discussions
• Opportunities for engagement in conferences, workshops, and research collaborations.
• A global network of individuals and organizations working on accessible and equitable AI.

What We Offer

This position is embedded in a creative, dynamic, and internationally renowned inclusive design team. Your research will play a crucial role in addressing the challenges AI poses for historically marginalized communities. You will be introduced to a multi-sector international community committed to more equitable systems. We prioritize a balanced and family-friendly work-life relationship, offering options for flexible working hours and part-time remote home-office arrangement Hours of Work: Full-time, 6-month contract; 35 hours per week. Work Environment: Remote, a shared office environment is available if preferred Compensation: $55,000 per year, inclusive of 4% vacation pay, plus 6% in lieu of benefits

Application Process

• Please submit the following as one PDF document:
• A one-page cover letter explaining your interest in this specific role and how your technical skills and research interests align with the project's focus on ethical AI and diverse knowledge systems.
• Your Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• The contact information for three (3) professional referees. Application Deadline: Interested applicants are invited to submit an updated *CV and cover letter (PDF) by selecting "Apply Now" below. The review of applications will be ongoing and will continue until the position has been filled. *Please upload your resume and cover letter as one PDF. Please name your upload: FirstName_LastName-Job Code As an institution committed to art, design, digital media and related scholarship, OCAD University recognizes the profound and essential value that diversity brings to the creation, reception and circulation of creative practices and discourse. OCAD University understands that valuing diverse creative practices and forms of knowledge are essential to and enrich the institution’s core mission and vision as an art and design university with a local and global scope. As an employer committed to employment equity, we encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions. OCAD University is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact People & Culture for more information or refer to OCAD U’s Policy of Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities . All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted.