Applied AI Research & Program Assistant (4 Month Contract)
Applied AI Research & Program Assistant (4 Month Contract)
This is a hybrid position based out of the CIFAR office located in the MaRs Discovery building. Staff are required to be in the office three days a week, ensuring a balance of in-person collaboration and flexibility.
This posting is for a newly created position.
About CIFAR:
The Next Leap Starts Here. At CIFAR, we don't just solve complex challenges; we imagine new possibilities for humanity. We are a global catalyst for breakthroughs, mobilizing the world's most brilliant minds to tackle the questions that define our future. Founded in Canada and connected to the world, we provide the platform for high-risk, high-reward research. When you join CIFAR, you aren't just taking a job: you are joining a community dedicated to the long-term benefit of people and the planet.
The Opportunity
We are seeking an Applied AI Research & Program Assistant (4-month contract) to support the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy team in delivering the AI Frontiers School and related research initiatives.
This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of applied AI research, program delivery, and experiential learning. A core component of this role is experiential learning through real-world data problem framing. The successful candidate will work with colleagues and external partners, including researchers, policy experts, and industry stakeholders, to define, scope, and structure AI and data challenges. These challenges will be used in training, research, and applied learning environments to support hands-on engagement with real-world problems.
This position is ideal for a curious, self-directed student who is eager to apply data science and generative AI tools to real-world problems while collaborating across a diverse, interdisciplinary network.
Key Responsibilities & Impact:
Experiential Learning & AI Challenge Development
* Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to identify, scope, and structure real-world AI and data challenges (e.g., data challenges, research sprints, red-teaming exercises)
* Translate broad AI topics (e.g., safety, governance, technical questions) into structured problem statements, datasets, and guiding questions
* Conduct background research and synthesize findings to inform challenge design and ensure alignment with current AI research priorities
* Prepare and organize materials to support participant engagement in experiential learning activities
Research Analysis & AI-Enabled Insights
* Apply data analysis and generative AI tools to exploratory research tasks, with guidance
* Produce summaries, visualizations, and literature or landscape syntheses to support program insights
* Critically evaluate AI-generated outputs while using them to support research and analysis workflows
* Identify opportunities to improve research coordination, evaluation, and knowledge management using AI tools
Program Coordination & Research Support
* Support coordination of the AI Frontiers School and related activities, including scheduling, logistics, and meetings
* Assist with communications with researchers, scholars, and external partners
* Contribute to briefings, summaries, and internal documentation
* Track program milestones, activities, and outputs
About You
* Final-year undergraduate or Master's student in a relevant field (e.g., computer science, data science, AI, statistics, engineering, or quantitatively focused social sciences)
* Foundational knowledge of data science, machine learning, or artificial intelligence, with experience using tools such as Python or R
* Familiarity with generative AI tools and an interest in applying them to research, analysis, and real-world problem-solving
* Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information and communicate insights clearly to technical and non-technical audiences
* Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities effectively
* Proactive and intellectually curious, with the ability to learn independently and adapt to new tools and approaches
* Collaborative and effective in working with internal teams and external stakeholders
For complete job description and to apply, visit:
https://cifar.bamboohr.com/careers/100
HOW TO APPLY:
Qualified applicants are invited to apply by 11:59pm EST Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Your resume should highlight any experience solving real-world data problems, including participation in hackathons, data study groups, or similar activities. We appreciate your interest in this opportunity, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted via email.
https://cifar.bamboohr.com/careers