Research Assistant

at  Western University

ABOUT WESTERN

With an international reputation for success, Western ranks as one of Canada’s top research-intensive universities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western also provides an exceptional employment experience, offering competitive salaries, a wide range of employment opportunities and one of Canada’s most beautiful campuses.

ABOUT US

The Department of Biology is the largest academic unit within the Faculty of Science. Throughout the academic year, the Department provides courses to over 10,500 students annually, has approximately 1400 majors and an average graduate enrollment of 140 - 160 students. The major foci within the department is namely scientific research, graduate, undergraduate and public education. The Department seeks to find a better working balance between the development and strengthening of its research enterprise and the maintenance of its strong undergraduate program seeking to enhance and strengthen its graduate program and make meaningful contributions to existing and future collaborative programs that fall within its sphere of influence and interest. The Department is housed in six main buildings (B&GS, WSC, Collip, NCB, AFAR, and Biotron).
For more information please visit http://www.westernu.ca/biology

EDUCATION:

• Undergraduate degree in related field

EXPERIENCE:

• 1 year of experience supporting research or projects involving VR development or related technical fields.

SKILLS, ABILITIES & EXPERTISE:

• Proficiency with Unity and related software packages for VR development.
• Ability to configure and manipulate 3D models, including scaling, positioning, and adding interactivity.
• Strong understanding of experimental design and evaluation of immersive technologies.
• Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Detail-oriented, with the ability to process and document information accurately.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, particularly for technical documentation and presenting research findings.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Familiarity with healthcare or educational applications of VR is an asset.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Virtual Reality (VR) Research Assistant will support the development and implementation of immersive VR experiences, with a particular focus on healthcare and educational applications. The incumbent will handle the day-to-day responsibilities required for the operation and advancement of the VR resource, serve as a liaison between the research team and stakeholders, and ensure adherence to ethical guidelines and technical standards. Key responsibilities include managing 3D model integration, testing VR functionalities, and assisting in designing interactive tutorials and applications. The Research Assistant will also be involved in disseminating research findings, coordinating virtual sessions, and maintaining the project’s networking capabilities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support the development of VR resources in Unity
• Implement interactive elements by configuring VR controls and interactions for 3D models
• Assist in designing immersive VR tutorials for education and healthcare scenarios, focusing on interactive learning
• Perform qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of VR tools.
• Prepare required documentation, coordinate project timelines, and organize virtual or in-person meetings for the research team.
• Troubleshoot technical issues and optimize VR environments for user experience and performance.