Research Associate — Lab Tech

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

About the Lab: The Otekhnòtshera Ratirihwisaks Etho:onhwentsyáke (OTEKH) is an Indigenous-led research lab in Visual Arts at Western University, working in close relation with Indigenous Studies, the Wampum Learning Lodge, and Indigenous communities and organizations across the region. OTEKH serves as a central hub for advanced Indigenous arts, technology, and research-creation, supporting artistic production, student training, research development, public and community engagement, and long-term technical infrastructure. Hybrid in character, multidisciplinary in scope, and grounded in Indigenous research priorities, the Lab develops projects across media arts, 3D scanning and data visualization, immersive and virtual-reality environments, video and audio installation, sensor-based systems, and relational digital archives. A growing area of research focuses on advanced Indigenous AI, including machine learning, working with large language models, local and community-governed AI systems, Indigenous language revitalization tools, computer vision, generative media, and Indigenous data sovereignty. www.otekh.net

About the Global Partnership: Abundant Intelligences is an ambitious, large-scale six-year research partnership exploring how to integrate Indigenous Knowledges and Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems. It is conducted by an international research team, co-directed by Prof. Jason Lewis at the Indigenous Futures Research Centre (IFRC) at Concordia University, Montreal, and Prof. Hemi Whaanga at Massey University in New Zealand. The research team currently consists of 48 co-investigators and collaborators at 13 universities/research institutes and 8 community-based organizations in Canada, the United States, and New Zealand. The Haudenosaunee POD is located in the OTEKH Lab at Western University and focuses on integrating Haudenosaunee knowledge and AI. The POD's research activities are focused on the Lawson Site and community engagement in Six Nations of the Grand River. The POD is currently engaged in expanding community engagement in the region. https://abundant-intelligences.net/

Responsibilities

About This Role: This is an opportunity to help build Indigenous-led AI research at Western University through the OTEKH Lab and the Haudenosaunee POD of the international Abundant Intelligences partnership. The Research Associate - Lab Tech will contribute to projects involving Indigenous AI, large language models, machine learning, Indigenous language revitalization, relational digital archives, Indigenous data sovereignty, generative systems, and community-engaged research-creation. Rather than serving only in a technical support role, the successful candidate will help shape research questions, develop and test AI tools, support Indigenous language and archive initiatives, build technical workflows, and contribute to major interdisciplinary projects connecting advanced technologies with Indigenous knowledge, community priorities, land-based research, and creative practice. This position is well suited to a graduate researcher who is excited by experimentation, capable of independent technical work, and interested in helping establish long-term Indigenous research infrastructure, methods, and possibilities for AI.

Responsibilities: Research Associates (RAs) are central members of the Abundant Intelligences Project and the Haudenosaunee POD at the OTEKH Lab at Western University. RAs will contribute to leading-edge interdisciplinary research in artificial intelligence, machine learning, large language models, Indigenous language revitalization, relational archives, and research-creation. Working collaboratively with faculty, community partners, students, artists, and technical researchers, RAs will help develop projects from early research design through technical development, testing, production, documentation, and public presentation. This role is intended for students who can bring both technical capacity and creative, critical, and relational approaches to AI research. The position offers flexibility around academic schedules, opportunities to take leadership on specific research initiatives, and responsibilities that may include mentoring and coordinating undergraduate research assistants. RAs are expected to contribute ideas, work collaboratively across disciplines, and help shape the long-term development of the Lab’s research infrastructure and projects.

The role may include:

• Assisting with the design, development, testing, and deployment of AI and machine-learning research projects, including work with large language models, generative systems, computer vision, local/offline AI tools, and interactive media environments.
• Supporting research in Indigenous language revitalization, including the development of language-learning tools, language datasets, model testing, interface design, and carefully governed approaches to language materials.
• Contributing to the design and development of relational digital archives, including systems for community-led access, layered permissions, metadata, cultural protocols, Indigenous data sovereignty, and long-term stewardship.
• Assisting with data preparation, organization, documentation, and governance for AI, archive, language, and research-creation projects, with particular attention to Indigenous data sovereignty and community accountability.
• Providing technical and creative expertise for interdisciplinary research-creation projects involving AI, XR/VR, digital media, interactive installations, sensors, audio, video, 3D capture, and generative systems.
• Participating in research design, brainstorming, prototyping, documentation, writing, and knowledge mobilization for Pod and Lab initiatives.
• Taking leadership roles on new and ongoing AI research projects, including coordinating project tasks, supporting timelines, and helping move projects from concept through implementation.
• Mentoring and supporting undergraduate RAs working on related technical, creative, archival, language, and research-creation activities.
• Assisting with general project administration, research documentation, event planning, public presentations, workshops, and Haudenosaunee POD activities.

Qualifications
Education:

• Undergraduate degree in computer science or relevant area of focus
• Completion of, or working towards completion of, a Masters or Ph.D. degree would be considered an asset

Experience:

• 2 years of work experience supporting research in a related technical field or equivalent research experience

Skills, Abilities & Expertise:

• Advanced Computer Skills, including knowledge of coding in languages such as Python, JSON and C languages
• Intermediate Knowledge of AI/LLM research design
• Expertise with AI/LLM coding paradigms and methods
• Knowledge and expertise of code debugging
• Detail-oriented with an ability to function and process information with high levels of accuracy
• Ability to employ a systematic and efficient approach to work
• Personable and courteous in working relationships with colleagues, students and the public
• Ability to collect and analyze data in an objective manner
• Familiarity with regulations and guidelines governing research
• Familiarity with methods for research design, implementation, and analysis
• Familiarity with experimental design and analysis
• Ability to work independently and effectively as a member of the team to achieve lab/project goals
• Verbal and written communication skills with the ability to document technical information

Why Western?

Western offers a broad and exciting variety of part-time and temporary employment opportunities with ample room for job exploration and growth. Within our beautiful campus, you are part of a progressive work environment that promotes work/life balance including access to our state-of-the-art recreation centre. Apply for an opportunity to be part of the Western community and contribute to its success!

Affirmation Policy

Western, like many postsecondary institutions in Canada, is moving beyond sole reliance upon Indigenous self-identification in its hiring processes. This is to safeguard against the use of incorrect, incomplete, or misleading information in circumstances in which a candidate has made a declaration of Indigenous citizenship or membership. Candidates who are invited for an interview or who are short-listed, and who have made a declaration of Indigenous citizenship or membership for material advantage at Western, including where required or preferred for the position, will be asked to have their declaration of Indigenous citizenship or membership affirmed through a relational accountability process, led by the Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OII), that is consistent with Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing. Please contact the OII directly for details on the affirmation processes: https://indigenous.uwo.ca/. The policy can be viewed at: POLICY 1.58 - Affirming Declarations of Indigenous Citizenship or Membership at Western University.

Applying at Western

To ensure that your application is given full consideration, please complete all relevant sections of the application. Application Requirements: Applicants are required to submit a CV and a cover letter. The CV should detail relevant professional experience, education, skills, and achievements, with emphasis on community engagement, research interests and research experience. Knowledge of computer languages, Indigenous knowledge systems and experience with administration will be considered assets.

Western Values Diversity

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone 519-661-2194.

Please Note:

There is the possibiltiy for reappointment at the end of the initial contract period.

Appointed by the OTEKH lab/AbINT POD Director; preference for graduate level education. Must be available for hybrid work (in-person and virtual).

Consideration of applicants will include an assessment of previous performance, experience, and qualifications. Applicants should have oral communication skills in English.

For Questions contact Kelly Greene, Pod Coordinator at kgree4@uwo.ca, subject: "Query: OTEKH Lab Tech Fall 2026"