On behalf of John Helliker Dean, Innovation and Engagement Scholarship, Research and Creative Activities Sheridan College
Faculty/Department: Research Employee Group: Academic Campus: Trafalgar (May be assigned activities at any Sheridan campus) Reference Number: 18/F/03 Application Deadline: February 2, 2018 Start Date: ASAP Salary Range: $62,717 - $108,723 (based on relevant educational qualifications and experience) Sheridan is looking for an outstanding individual to join our faculty team. The incumbent will be a key research lead and collaborative participant in development of an institutional and regional centre for research, teaching and learning, and commercialization activities focused on virtual agents (Embodied Conversational Agents), with application in entertainment media as well as areas of social and individual well-being. The incumbent will have expertise and interest in the application of machine/deep learning within Human Computer Interaction (HCI), with a focus on the area of intelligent virtual agents/characters and environments. Work over the first two years will primarily include research projects with industry partners and academic collaborators from within Sheridan and leading universities. The intent of these projects is to develop the capacity for virtual humans - believable and intelligent 3D animated characters capable of real-time verbal and nonverbal behaviour (gestures, facial expressions, speech content, and prosody) within diverse dynamic social situations for multiplatform delivery in gaming, virtual and augmented reality, and other interactive screen experiences. The incumbent will also be expected to complement research with teaching within interaction design and related areas (e.g. gaming, animation and design). Sheridan faculty provide academic leadership to research, programs and courses within their areas of expertise and contribute to a learning-centred environment, where students can develop to their full potential. The incumbent will play a lead role in facilitating engagement of other faculty and students within Sheridan in virtual human research and learning. The incumbent should be a superior researcher with keen interest and capacity for sharing this knowledge with next generation researchers, as well as possess a passion for leadership in teaching and learning. Specific Responsibilities: * Plan and conduct research within the area of virtual humans/intelligent agents * Establish software and hardware test beds for qualitative and quantitative assessment of intelligent agent technologies and platforms, and development of enhancements and new approaches * Develop and assess machine and deep learning approaches to human-virtual human interaction * Develop prototypes involving rule-based and/or data-driven approaches * Design and conduct user experience studies as part of an iterative process of prototype development * Work collaboratively with diverse groups in a team-based approach: other Sheridan faculty and students; artists and technical research leads in areas including motion capture, computer modelling, and animation; domain experts within social sciences and applied health; external industry, community, and academic partners * Create an effective environment for research and applied learning which includes defined learning outcomes and that accommodates students’ diverse cultural and educational backgrounds, experiences and learning styles * Define, evaluate and validate learning outcomes for research activities and courses * Ensure that learning outcomes are current, relevant and reflective of best practices within the relevant professional/program disciplines * Design appropriate strategies and tools for facilitating and assessing student research and learning that are consistent with learning outcomes, invitational and reflective of best practices in teaching and learning * Contribute to writing/publication of research activities and writing of research proposals * Other duties as required Qualifications: * PhD completed or in process in HCI or related area, with a minimum of 2 years of research experience * Expertise in AI/machine/deep learning combined with expertise in at least one of advanced game engine programming; or 3D computer graphics/animation * Experience in developing innovative interaction systems including hardware prototyping and software development within human-virtual agent Interaction * Experience in conducting user experience testing * Proven ability to work independently, collaboratively as part of a team and in consultative decision making * Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal skills and communication skills * Experience teaching and developing curriculum at the post-secondary level * Excellent communications and interpersonal skills * Ability to convey the conceptual and applied aspects of knowledge to a broad range of students and other audiences * Committed to excellence in research, teaching, and learning and to working within a team environment Please apply online: https://careers-sheridancollege.icims.com<https://careers-sheridancollege.icims.com/> Sheridan welcomes diversity in the workplace and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including visible minorities, Indigenous People, and persons with disabilities. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Sheridan is committed to accommodating applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. At any stage of the hiring process, Human Resources will work with applicants requesting accommodation. Note: Copies of educational credentials are requested at the time of an interview. As a condition of employment, Sheridan requires confirmation of educational credentials in the form of an official Canadian transcript or an official evaluation of international credentials which determines Canadian equivalency. Frank Rudzicz, PhD Scientist, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute; Assistant professor (status only), Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto; Co-Founder and President, WinterLight Labs Incorporated; Faculty member, Vector Institute; Director, SPOClab (signal processing and oral communications) [cid:image003.png@01D1543C.1E079780] || Website: http://www.cs.toronto.edu/~frank || Twitter: @SPOClab<https://twitter.com/SPOClab> || Phone (office) : 416 597 3422 x7971 || Fax : 416 597 3031
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