Student Opportunity FW25/26 - Embodied Cueing for People with Dementia RA

Post

Published on July 15, 2025

Job ID: 82166

Job Title: Embodied Cueing for People with Dementia RA

Application Deadline: Thursday, August 14, 2025 @ 11:59 p.m. ET

Applications are only accepted through the Career Centre. Go to the Experience York portal through Passport York and search for the posting with the Job ID listed above. Note: applicants must be eligible to participate in the Research @ York (RAY) program, see eligibility criteria.

Hourly wage: $19 per hour

Hours per week: 10 hours per week

Start date: September 2, 2025

End date: April 24, 2026

Job description

Under the supervision of Prof. Shital Desai, the Embodied Cueing for People with Dementia RA (for up to 10 hours per week) will support the Design and Development of Embodied Cues for People with Dementia project. This project explores the integration of emerging technologies, such as generative AI, physical computing, and mixed reality, to develop interactive prototypes that support embodied forms of communication for individuals living with dementia. The student will contribute to the design, development, and integration of technology components into functional prototypes, which will be evaluated in collaboration with people with dementia and their caregivers. This is a hands-on, exploratory research opportunity that values creativity, adaptability, and interdisciplinary thinking. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-evolving technological landscape, eager to experiment, and able to engage critically with both technical and human-centred aspects of the design process.

Specific research activities the student(s) will be engaged in:

The student will:

• Conduct background research on embodied interaction, dementia-inclusive design, AI, mixed reality, and physical computing
• Investigate the use of generative AI within mixed reality environments and its application in designing adaptive interfaces
• Develop and integrate software and hardware prototypes using tools such as Unity, Arduino, and other physical computing platforms
• Participate in iterative prototyping and user-centred evaluation with people with dementia or pilot participants
• Document the design and development process and prepare a final report outlining findings and recommendations
• Co-author manuscripts for submission to leading conferences such as CHI, DIS, or ASSETS
• Deliver the project in its final form by the end of the contract period

Qualifications

• Current undergraduate student at York University. Students from diverse academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The Dahdaleh Institute and York University are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and encourage applications from all equity-deserving groups.
• Required Skills and Attributes:
  • Demonstrated interest and/or experience in emerging technologies: physical computing, AI, and mixed reality
  • Understanding of research methods, particularly design research and research-through-design
  • Strong analytical and systems-thinking skills; ability to organize and interpret complex datasets and design processes
  • Experience with note-taking, documentation, and research organization
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presentation and professional correspondence
  • Proficiency in productivity and design tools (Microsoft Office 365, Unity, Arduino IDE, etc.); experience with WordPress or social media is an asset
  • Strong interpersonal and intercultural communication skills
  • Capacity to work both independently and collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams
  • Self-motivated, organized, and able to manage time effectively

Application materials

• Cover letter
• Resume

If you have any questions, please email Shital Desai.

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