Work Study Position, Banff New Media Institute Advanced Research Technology Collaboration and Visualization Lab

BANFF NEW MEDIA INSTITUTE (BNMI)
ADVANCED RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY COLLABORATION AND VISUALIZATION LAB
WORK STUDY POSITION
http://www.banffcentre.ca/programs/program.aspx?id=844

Program Dates: Negotiable, starting Spring, 2009.
Application Deadline: when a suitable candidate is found.

The Banff New Media Institute’s Advanced Research Technology Collaboration and Visualization Lab is accepting applications for a Work Study for the ESPACER (Emerging Social Places and Collaborative Environments Research) initiative. The goal of ESPACER is the development, dissemination and evaluation of collaborative technologies that promote human interfacing and community awareness in the everyday lived spaces where we work, play and learn. We employ hybrid research practices that integrate methods from creative, critical and technical disciplines. Technologies and methods explored in the Advanced Research Technology Collaboration and Visualization Lab include large-scale participatory wireless networks, tangible and organic interfaces and virtual and augmented environments. Our research platforms include personal area network technologies, physical computing, mega-pixel and stereographic displays, multi-touch surfaces and mobile devices.


RESPONSIBILITIES
Work study programs at the Banff Centre are intended to provide the participant with a combination of learning opportunities and supervised practical work, related to the participant’s learning objectives. Learning opportunities may be formal sessions and/or workshops or they may be informal opportunities arising out of the situation of the moment. The work portion of the experience will primarily focus on activities, which complement the participant’s learning objectives as the work relates to the real and ongoing activities in the Advanced Research Technology Collaboration and Visualization Lab including work associated with event production activities, technical support to staff and visiting researchers, project management, administration, and marketing.


QUALIFICATIONS
It is recognized that work study participants bring prior training and expertise to their work study term. The work experience in the Advanced Technology Research Lab will provide the opportunity for work study participants to extend their current skills in digital media production and human centered computing in a collaborative research environment. Top candidates will demonstrate the ability and willingness to learn new technologies and creative methods as required for creative research inquiry in their applications. Candidates must have strong oral and written communication skills, excellent organizational abilities, excellent time management skills including the ability to multi-task multiple projects.

Education
Top candidates for the Work Study program have completed their undergraduate or graduate degree. The academic discipline of your prior studies is open; however you must express and demonstrate an interest in expanding your creative technologies practices in a research environment. Exceptional candidates who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program and are interested for summer term work study opportunities will be considered.

Technical Skills
Work Study candidates are required to have a background in computer programming with solid foundation in at least one of the following programming languages C, C++, C#, or Java™.

Work Study candidates with a combination of additional skills listed below will be considered.
•Experience working with multimedia authoring and programming platforms such as MAX/MSP/Jitter, Flash Actionscript, Processing, Virtools.
•Experience with graphics programming with OpenGL and Java3D.
•Web programming and database skills including Actionscript, Javascript, PHP and MySQL.
•Experience with physical computing or have a strong interest and the foundation to quickly learn.
•Experience working in CAD Design, 3D prototyping techniques and materials.

Creative Methods and Research Skills
Successful candidates must demonstrate the integration of creativity, creative problem solving, and creative practices in their portfolio of work. BNMI ART Lab Work Study candidates are not required to have prior experience working in a research environment. However, they must express and demonstrate an interest in integrating research methods into their creative digital media practices.


WORK STUDY COMPENSATION, TERMS and ACCOMODATIONS
Please see attached PDF or the application website for additional information.
http://www.banffcentre.ca/programs/program.aspx?id=844


HOW TO APPLY
All applications must include:
•A non-refundable application processing fee of $59 CDN/ $59 US (non-refundable) or $31 CDN for Aboriginal applicants, and a completed online application form;
•A curriculum vita, contact information for three references, URL addresses to online documentation and/or demonstration of work.
•Applicants can also submit digital documentation of their work in the form of DVD, CD, video, or audio tape. Sample work must be limited to 10 minutes.

1.APPLY ONLINE (required):
http://www.banffcentre.ca/programs/program.aspx?id=844

2.SEND APPLICATION MATERIALS TO:
Office of the Registrar
The Banff Centre
Box 1020
Banff, Alberta, Canada
T1L 1H5
Phone: 403.762.6180 | Fax: 403.762.6345 |Toll Free: 1.800.565.9989 | Email: [email protected]


ABOUT THE BANFF CENTRE and the BANFF NEW MEDIA INSTITUTE
The Banff Centre is an internationally respected art, cultural and educational institution in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. For 75 years, the Banff Centre has been internationally recognized as a leader of creative thought, lifelong learning, the development and showcasing of new work and advancement of applied research. The Banff New Media Institute (BNMI) is digital research innovation centre. Our programs are designed to support creative pluralism, different modes of inquiry, the production of new work, and the engagement of artists, producers, technologists, and researchers with digital culture. Fundamental to BNMI is the belief that the creative sector in collaboration with scientists, social scientists, and humanists plays a critical role in developing technologies and content that work for human betterment.