Research Associate, AI Hub

at  Durham College

ABOUT DURHAM COLLEGE:

Durham College (DC) is a leading post-secondary institution that supports students to develop career-ready skills for the ever-changing job market. With a focus on experiential learning, led by expert faculty, through field placements, applied research, co-ops and other hands-on opportunities, DC grads are known for having the skills and knowledge they need to adapt to the ever-changing workforce.
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Durham College offers a wide range of market-driven programs across multiple disciplines, including culinary management, farming and horticulture, business, IT, construction and trades, science and technology, health care, engineering, social and community services, media, art and design.
Our modern campuses in Oshawa and Whitby offer 145 programs – including six honours bachelor’s degrees and nine apprenticeship programs – to more than 13,700 full-time post-secondary and 2,300 apprenticeship students. In addition, more than 14,600 students participate in professional and part-time learning. More than 110,500 alumni represent the college, both locally and around the world.
A forward-looking organization committed to collaboration, innovation and sustainability, Durham College is ranked annually as one of the GTA’s Top 100 employers and one of Canada’s Greenest Employers and has been recognized as a Top 50 Research College in Canada, 10 times. DC has an estimated annual economic impact of more than $913 million on Durham Region and is proud to be an active and engaged member of the communities we serve by contributing resources and expertise to enhance social and economic well-being through partnerships, investments and collaboration.
Durham College is seeking an experienced and motivated professional who shares our commitment to quality and student success. The Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship is currently seeking applications from qualified individuals who are interested in joining the AI Hub as a Research Associate, which is a regular part-time position, to support the development of real-world solutions for industry partners through applied research and knowledge transfer projects.
Teams of expert faculty, students and recent graduates collaborate with industry partners and their staff to deliver innovative AI-based solutions to pressing business problems and opportunities. Projects can include producing and testing prototypes, evaluating new technologies, and developing new or improved products or processes for small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs).
The AI Hub, a Technology Access Centre, is located at the Oshawa Campus and provides SMEs access to facilities, equipment, and technical expertise to assist them in product development, technology adoption, expansion into new markets and commercialization of new products, services and processes.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post-secondary education in a relevant field such as computer science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, mathematics, or a related discipline.
• Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in AI research, such as Python, Java,or C++
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Previous research experience is an asset
• An understanding of ethical considerations in AI research, including issues related to bias, fairness, transparency, and privacy.
  Required Skills
  Hourly rate: $28.29
  Required Experience
  Hours: 24 hours per week
  Please apply below by submitting your cover letter and resume to the online portal. Applications will be accepted until April 22, 2024. Competition number SP24-09

Under the guidance of the Research Lead, AI Hub and/or the Principal Investigator, the Research Associate will support the research team in conducting the following research related activities:

• Conduct literature reviews to stay updated on the latest AI advancements and research in the field of AI.
• Summarize and analyze relevant research papers, articles, and publications.
• Collect and analyze the data.
• Perform exploratory data analysis to identify patterns, trends, and potential challenges.
• Develop algorithms and enhance their performance.
• Develop prototypes to demonstrate the feasibility of proposed solutions.
• Train and evaluate the AI Models.
• Evaluate the performance of models using relevant metrics and make necessary adjustments.
• Maintain comprehensive and organized documentation of research methodologies, experiments, and results.
• Prepare reports and presentations to communicate findings to team members and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including data scientists, engineers, and domain experts.
• Participate in team meetings to discuss progress, challenges, and potential solutions.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in AI and related fields.
• Attend conferences, workshops, and seminars to network with professionals and gain insights.
• Ensure compliance with relevant ethical guidelines and standards.
• Manage timelines and deliverables to ensure that the project progresses according to plan.