Description:

The Intelligent Assistive Technology and Systems Lab (IATSL) at the University of Toronto invites applications to the position of Postdoctoral Fellow in Intelligent Assistive Technology for Autistic Children. Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in an appropriate discipline in addition to relevant experience in a research environment.

The successful candidate will join a unique multi-disciplinary, multi-centre research team led by Dr. Alex Mihailidis (University of Toronto/TRI) that includes several bioengineers, computer scientists, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, neuroscientists, clinicians, and mechanical/electronic technicians. IATSL is affiliated with many prestigious institutions including the University of Toronto, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Funding comes from a variety of corporate and institutional partners, such as American Alzheimer Association, Alzheimer Society of Canada, and Intel Corporation.

Our research program primarily aims at developing autonomous, intelligent computerised devices that can help people with disabilities live more independently. A major strength of the research program is the combination of basic science, computing principles, clinical research, and product design, and development. Our research employs cutting edge technologies and computer techniques, such as stereo vision, partially observable Markov decision processes, and various artificial intelligence techniques.

Within this research, you will be expected to provide support for projects focusing on a wide variety of computer-driven assistive technologies and intelligent systems, with a primary focus on the development of an intelligent system that can monitor the actions of a child with autism during a common self-care activity (e.g. handwashing), and provide prompts and reminders as necessary. This new system will use artificial intelligence, computer vision, and other sensing technologies to help teach autistic children self-care activities, and help them to complete these tasks more independently. A significant aspect of this project will be the clinical testing of the system with several children and their families. The candidate will be responsible for assisting in the supervision of undergraduate and masters level students assigned to this project, as well as the development of the project as a whole.

The initial position will be a one-year position, renewable based on performance and funding. Salary will be based on the applicant’s previous experience and education.

Requirements:

The successful candidate must hold Doctorate degree in computer science, bioengineering, or a related field. The candidate must demonstrate extensive knowledge of machine vision techniques and computational intelligence, an excellence in implementing real-time algorithms, as well as experience with distributed systems. Applicants must be able to demonstrate strong leadership capabilities and an ability to lead projects in a research environment. The applicant will need to also demonstrate an aptitude for transdisciplinary research that addresses the intersections of health care, technology, and place.

The University of Toronto hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply, however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

Application:

To apply, please send a covering letter, curriculum vitae, a statement of your research interests (1-2 pages), and a copy of your university transcripts to:

Dr. Alex Mihailidis
Intelligent Assistive Technology and Systems Lab
University of Toronto
916 – 500 University Ave.
Toronto, Ontario, CANADA, M5G 1V7

E-mail: iatsl@utoronto.ca
FAX: (416) 946-8570

Submissions by e-mail or FAX are preferred. After an initial screening, selected applicants will be asked to forward three academic and/or professional letters of reference.