OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we work, stand and create.
OCAD University, Canada’s largest and oldest art and design university, is a vibrant community of bold, curious and compassionate artists, designers and scholars who are imagining and creating a joyful, equitable and sustainable world. The University is an internationally renowned hub for art, design, digital media, research, innovation and creativity, and arts administration. It embraces collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to change-making through art, design-thinking curriculum and research, making OCAD U a local, regional, national and global leader in art and design.
It is an exciting time to join the OCAD U community. The University is at a key stage in its institutional transformation, with the implementation of its Academic and Strategic Plan and guiding principles—driving positive impact, decolonization, indigenization, and equity, environmental sustainability, emerging as a vibrant hub, student-centered approaches, innovation in learning, teaching, and research, and financial stewardship.
Project Details:
The iCity2.0 GIS/Spatial Visual Analytics Complete Communities will undertake research in urban design and planning, engaging with spatial visual analytics applying GIS science. iCity 2.0 is an urban data science and design research hub co-located at OCAD University and the University of Toronto. The RA will apply GIS analytics tool with related visual analytics and computational tools. They will be a member of the larger iCity2.0 team colocated at OCAD U and University of Toronto. iCity2.0 draws on faculty and partner expertise in urban planning, economics, sociology, architecture, design, design for health, transportation engineering, computer science, visual analytics, geographic information science, generative design, 3D procedural modeling and advanced visualization.
Project Context
Complete communities integrate mixed use development, a variety of housing opportunities and income levels, access to public and active transportation, jobs, food security, and a rich range of amenities, cultural offerings and green spaces. iCity2.0 includes partnerships among academic researchers, mobility start-ups, technology firms, engineering, data and analytics firms such as Esri and Hatch, property developers, not-for-profits, and municipal and regional governments, creating an urban innovation ecosystem of next-stage recipients and end-users that ensures iCity 2.0 will achieve research impact. Research goals include the development and testing of a Complete Communities scorecard; the development and application of qualitative methods derived from strategic foresight and urban planning, and quantitative methods and metrics to plan complete communities. We apply Esri's ArcGIS and CityEngine and use district data and GIS 3D visualization to visualize the spatial context of neighbourhoods. We work in close partnership with city developers and public agencies who provide case study opportunities that can contribute to the scorecard and overall knowledge regarding complete community planning.
Responsibilities:
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Working under the supervision of the Principal Investigator, Dr. Sara Diamond, and Professor Robert Wright (U of T), a postdoctoral fellow and the iCity research team to design and conduct research in the areas of (i) complete communities, (ii) cultural infrastructure (iii) GIS analysis of data; (iv) spatial visual analytic tools.
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Assisting with literature reviews and keeping abreast of newest developments in the field.
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Participate in the development of complete community criteria and apply to specific projects.
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Apply Esri's ArcGIS and CityEngine and use district data and GIS 3D visualization to visualize the spatial context of neighbourhoods, including catchment and gap analyses, and comparisons over time.
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Collect, analyze, map and present data to interpret existing and potential cultural infrastructure (e.g. museums, galleries, music venues).
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Develop automated personas who reflect the potential users of complete communities and/or cultural infrastructure using a series of AI and design tools.
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Participate in Visual Analytics Lab (VAL) planning and iCity meetings.
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Assisting with the promotion of research activities.
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Publish research results in key academic journals and conference.
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Participating in the provision of safe and secure environment for all members of the University community and its facilities
Qualifications:
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Currently enrolled in a GTA university with preference to OCAD U students;
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Ability to undertake a literature review;
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Ability to work with AI language models and visual models and apply critical thinking;
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Interest in urban design and planning;
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Knowledge and interest in 2D and 3D data visualization application development;
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Exposure to GIS analysis; map-based visualization, preferably Esri ArcGIS, CityEngine;
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If possible Python or JSON skills;
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Ability to participate in academic publication;
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Interested in working with industrial research partners;
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Strong team collaboration skills;
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Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and engage in a program of research.
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Demonstrated commitment to the principles of equity and diversity and experience promoting a respectful work and learning environment for students, staff and faculty
Hours of Work: 10 hours per week over the period of 23 February 2026 for up to 6 months, with the possibility of renewal.
Work Environment: The position will be hybrid and include work in-person at the Visual Analytics Lab, 250 Richmond St. W, Toronto, ON and remote work. There will be some work on location with Indigenous organizations and communities.
Compensation: $37.28 (Graduate Rate) $23.54 (Undergrad Rate) per hour with an additional 4% in lieu of vacation and 6% in lieu of benefits, as applicable, per the provisions of the Employment Standards Act
Applications should include:
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A one-page cover letter explaining the candidate’s interest
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A curriculum vitae
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The contact information for three (3) referees
Please upload all three (3) components as one PDF. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please name your upload: FirstName_LastName-Job Code
Interested applicants are invited to submit their application in confidence addressed to Dr. Sara Diamond, Professor, Faculty of Arts and Science.
The review of applications will begin on February 19, 2026 and will continue until the position has been filled.
If you require application support, please contact the People & Culture Office. Please note that People & Culture cannot update you on the status of your application as these searches are decentralized. You will only be contacted if you are shortlisted for an interview. If the posting is advertised, we are still accepting applications.
As an employer committed to employment equity, we encourage applications from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.
We encourage members of designated equity-seeking groups to self-identify within the voluntary Applicant Questionnaire.
OCAD U is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact People & Culture for more information or refer to OCAD U’s Policy of Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities.
All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted.
