Research Assistant – Software Engineer

Job Description

The Neural Control and Computation Lab (https://www.ncclab.ca/) is seeking a skilled software engineer to lead the development of ATHENA (Automatically Tracking Hands Expertly with No Annotations), our open-source, Python-based toolbox for 3D markerless tracking (https://github.com/neural-control-and-computation-lab/athena). 

ATHENA is a cutting-edge tool designed to overcome the limitations of traditional motion capture. By removing the need for costly, time-consuming, and cumbersome physical markers, ATHENA allows researchers to study naturalistic hand behaviors and complex object manipulation in ecologically valid settings. The software is currently being deployed in multiple environments ranging from university laboratories to international research initiatives to study motor behaviour in diverse populations of subjects. 

The primary purpose of this position is to bridge the gap between research code and a robust, user-friendly software product. The Research Assistant will lead the software engineering efforts to expand ATHENA's capabilities, refine its user interface, and ensure the code is maintainable and accessible to a growing international user base. 

The Research Assistant will be responsible for the following: 

• Feature Engineering: Develop and integrate new tracking modules, for example face tracking, eye tracking, multi-person tracking, and object tracking, to expand the tool's utility to meet research and user needs. 
• GUI & Workflow Optimization: Refine the graphical user interface to ensure the software is accessible to non-technical users in clinical and field settings. 
• Software Maintenance: Refactor existing Python code to improve modularity, efficiency, and maintainability. 
• Documentation & Education: Create comprehensive documentation and user tutorials to support the user base. 

Educational Qualifications 

• Undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related quantitative field. 

Training/Experience Required 

Essential: 

• Strong proficiency in Python. 
• Strong experience with machine learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow) and computer vision libraries (e.g., MediaPipe, OpenCV) 
• Experience with version control (Git/GitHub), software project management, debugging, and writing clean, documented code. 

Desirable: 

• Passion for neuroscience, motor control, or clinical applications of technology. 

Terms and Conditions 

• Position Type: Part-Time (Max 20 hours/week). 
• Length: Minimum 6 months, with a potential extension to 1 year or more. 
• Compensation: $33.00-38.00/hour. 
• Location: Must be based in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to attend occasional in-person meetings and testing sessions at the campus lab. 
• If not a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident, must have a valid work permit for the duration of the position. 

To apply for this position, please submit the following documents: 

• A detailed cover letter explaining your suitability for the position. 
• An updated CV/Resume. 
• A link to your GitHub profile or a portfolio of code samples, and; 
• Names and contact details of 2-3 referees. 

Applicants should direct their application to Prof. Jonathan Michaels (jmichae@yorku.ca) by January 31st, 2026, with the subject line: ATHENA – Research Assistant Application