Volunteer Job Posting

Take some time to read through this job posting, and if your passions and experience match what we have laid out here, please consider applying. Experience comes in many forms: skills are transferable, and passion goes a long way. We know that diversity makes for the best problem-solving and creative thinking, which is why we’re dedicated to adding new perspectives to the team.

About

The AI-Education Research Lab at Simon Fraser University is excited to offer multiple volunteer positions for students passionate about AI, education, and technology. This is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in research and - software development in a dynamic and collaborative environment.

Positions:

  • Research Assistant
    • Ideal for students aiming for graduate school. Engage in a research project, practice academic research and writing - skills, and contribute to an academic paper.
  • Software Developer
    • Suitable for students targeting the industry sector. Work on various projects focusing on front-end and back-end - development, as well as UX/UI design.

High Level Overview of Responsibilities:

  • Research Assistant
    • Conducting a literature review on AI education and ethics.
    • Analyzing data from AI-Ed Lab’s AI education platform.
    • Designing and conducting experiments to evaluate the effectiveness of AI education tools.
    • Writing and editing academic papers and reports.
    • Exact project details will be determined based on the candidate’s interest and expertise.
  • Software Developer
    • Building and maintaining web applications for AI education.
    • Integrating RESTful APIs and developing new features.
    • Designing and implementing UX/UI improvements.
    • Writing and maintaining unit/integration tests.
    • Active and new projects can be viewed on the project page.

Duration (both positions):

  • The positions are for the Spring and Summer 2024 semesters (Late February to August 2024) with the possibility of extension to the Fall semester.
  • Students can apply for eiher a Spring or Summer semester position, or both. Priority will be given to students who can commit to both semesters.
  • The positions are part-time (5-10 hours per week) and are unpaid. However, there might be an opportunity for students to receive academic credit for their work through the directed readings program within the department. Student volunteers will be the first to be considered for paid positions in the future.
  • All positions are remote and open to students from all campuses.
  • Candidates must be available to attend weekly meetings (Thursday or Friday afternoons – for Spring semester only).

Key Responsibilities (both positions):

  • Collaborate with a motivated team of volunteers.
  • Engage in research or software development projects based on your interest and expertise.
  • Participate actively in weekly team meetings via Zoom.
    • Meeting (for this semester) are scheduled to take place on Thursday or Friday afternoons (exact time to determined; but candidates must be available on one of days mentioned).
  • Contribute to the creation of innovative solutions and ideas in AI education.

Ideal Candidate Profile (both positions):

  • Undergraduate student at SFU studying Computer Science, Software Systems, or related fields.
    • Minimum second year standing, third year preferred.
    • Minimum CGPA of 3.0/4.33 - lower GPA will be considered if the candidate has relevant experience.
    • Should have completed at least CMPT 276, 363 or equivalent courses.
  • A strong passion for teaching, learning, and AI education, along with a desire to make a positive impact in the education world.
  • Excellent communication, problem-solving, and strong analytical skills, including decisive decision-making with logical reasoning.
  • Proven track record of reliability, commitment, and leadership experience.
  • Strong attention to detail and a proven ability to work independently, manage time effectively, meet deadlines, and adapt to new technologies.
  • Team player with a positive attitude and willingness to learn.

Ideal Candidate for Software Developer:

  • Experience working in an agile environment, and familiarity with agile methodologies.
  • Experience in integrating RESTful APIs.
  • Strong knowledge and understanding of Python, React, and JavaScript.
  • Experince working with CSS frameworks (e.g., Bootstrap, Tailwind CSS).
  • Experience in building web applications (at least 1 project, multiple projects preferred).
  • Understand principles of UX/UI design and how to integrate them into web applications.
  • Excellent debugging skills and ability to troubleshoot issues.
  • Experience in unit/integration testing and writing test cases.
  • Experience using Git/Github or alternative version control systems.
  • Experience in building and deploying web applications using CI/CD pipelines.
  • Experience working with databases (SQL and NoSQL).

Bonus:

  • Experience using Docker and/or alternative containerization technologies.
  • Experience in building and deploying web applications using cloud services (AWS, Azure, GCP, etc.).
  • Open-source contributions.

Ideal Candidate for Research Assistant:

  • Completed Canada Research Training Certificate (TCPS2 CORE 2022) or willing to complete it.
  • Strong English writing and communication skills.
  • Experience in academic research and writing including literature review through coursework or previous research experience.
  • Experience in data analysis and visualization, and familiarity with tools such as Python, R, or Tableau.
  • Experience in conducting experiments and analyzing results.
  • Willingness to learn and adapt to new research methodologies and tools.
  • Working knowledge of LaTeX.
  • Strong understanding of research ethics and academic integrity.

Bonus:

  • Leadership experience in research projects is an asset.
  • A background in AI, machine learning, or education is an asset.

What do you get?

  • Gain practical research or software development experience.
  • Access to mentorship and guidance from experienced researchers and developers.
  • Ability to network with industry professionals and academics.
  • Receive a letter of recommendation (on request) upon successful completion of the position.
  • Work with a diverse and dynamic team.
  • Contribute to impactful projects in the field of AI education.
  • Flexible hours to accommodate academic responsibilities.

How to Apply?

Please submit your application to this form:

Volunteer Application Form

In this process, highlight your interest in AI education and the position you are applying for. Round 1 of applications will be open - until Feb 17, 11:59pm PST. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

We thank all applicants for their interest in the AI-Education Research Lab, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Early applications are encouraged.

Contact

For any questions, please contact Parsa Rajabi via email at parsa_r [a t] sfu.ca with the subject line “AI-Ed Volunteer Position Inquiry”. No applications will be accepted via email. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications, we will not be able to respond to all inquiries.