Job Description

Please send the required materials outlined in the application instructions to research.stmary@ssss.gouv.qc.ca with the subject line: "Mitacs Post-Doctoral Fellowship 2025- Project Manager". Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Candidates must meet Mitacs eligibility requirements and McGill University post-doctoral fellow criteria. Applications submitted through the website will not be considered.


Presentation of the organization


The St. Mary's Research Centre (SMRC) is a member of CIUSSS-de-l'Ouest-de-l'Ile-de-Montreal and a McGill Network Research Centre that specializes in research focused on the organization of care, patient-centred interventions and community partnerships that promote quality and proximity of care. Located in the heart of the Cote-des-Neiges district, the CRSM is also involved in research on optimizing care for vulnerable populations.


Summary of role and responsibilities


This full-time post-doctoral fellowship (one-year term, with potential renewal) is offered under the academic supervision of a McGill University professor. The position is dependent on receiving/holding Mitacs funding and an industry partner is supporting this role. The fellowship is part of a collaborative research program developing evidence-based virtual reality therapeutic platforms for aging populations. The research team includes engineers, clinicians, designers, and data scientists, and requires strong multistakeholder collaboration, communication, and teamwork across disciplines.


This position focuses on interdisciplinary research across these key domains:




Virtual reality interface design and human-computer interaction for therapeutic applications User engagement patterns and predictive modeling for intervention adherence Accessibility and usability optimization for aging populations Theoretical frameworks for presence and immersion measurement in VR for older adults

The post-doctoral fellow will contribute to the group's research activities, including but not limited to:


Leading research projects investigating optimal VR interaction paradigms for therapeutic applications Designing and conducting controlled experiments to evaluate VR interface modalities using mixed-methods approaches Developing research protocols for assessing usability and accessibility of VR therapeutic systems Writing clean, reusable code in Unreal Engine (C++) for VR interaction prototypes Applying mathematical concepts (linear algebra, quaternions) for gesture recognition and motion tracking Integrating VR hardware (Meta Quest, HTC Vive, Pico) and implementing OpenXR standards Conducting usability testing with older adults and iterating based on empirical findings Preparing manuscripts for publication in top-tier HCI and medical informatics journals Applying for post-doctoral fellowship awards (e.g., NSERC, CIHR, Mitacs) Supporting and mentoring graduate students in experimental design and statistical analysis Presenting findings at international conferences (CHI, IEEE VR, SIGGRAPH) Analyzing interaction data using regression models, time-series analysis, and machine learning in R/Python Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams and industry partners

Preferred Skills:


Extensive experience with Unreal Engine 5 (3+ years preferred), including C++ and Blueprint Proficiency with VR SDKs (OpenXR, SteamVR, Oculus SDK) Background in healthcare or therapeutic technology research Experience with eye tracking and biometric integration in VR Strong understanding of Unreal's rendering pipeline and optimization techniques Experience with Git, Perforce, and project management tools (Jira, Trello) Statistical analysis expertise using R, Python, or SPSS Excellent technical writing and presentation skills

Requirements




PhD in Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or related field 3+ years of VR development experience Strong record of peer-reviewed publications in HCI or related venues

Application Instructions


Please send the following materials to research.stmary@ssss.gouv.qc.ca with the subject line: "Mitacs Post-Doctoral Fellowship 2025 - Project Manager":


CV Brief one-page description of your interest in the position and long-term career goals Research statement outlining relevant experience (2-3 pages) Portfolio or GitHub repository demonstrating Unreal Engine expertise Two writing samples (e.g., first-author publications and/or thesis chapters) Contact information for three references (name, phone number, email)

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Candidates must meet Mitacs eligibility requirements and McGill University post-doctoral fellow criteria.


Remark


This position is funded by research funds and does not represent a permanent position in the public sector of the Health and Social Services Network. Salary is $50,000 CAD per annum, in accordance with Mitacs Accelerate post-doctoral fellowship guidelines.


Equal Employment Opportunity Program


The SMRC values the contribution of employees with diverse backgrounds and has an equal opportunity employment program and invites applications from women, Aboriginal people, visible minorities, ethnic minorities and persons with disabilities. Accommodation may be provided to persons with disabilities who request it based on their needs.


Please send your cover letter and resume to research.stmary@ssss.gouv.qc.ca by December 5, 2025. Applications submitted through the website will not be considered for this position.