Faculty of Science & Faculty of Business and IT

Position Title: Postdoctoral Fellow – Unsupervised Learning for Bloodstain Pattern

Analysis
Number of Positions: 1
Appointment Type: Limited Term

Job Summary:

The Forensic Chemistry & Materials Lab and Trustworthy AI Lab at Ontario Tech
University have an opening for a Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) on an exciting new
interdisciplinary project in the area of machine learning for bloodstain pattern analysis in
crime scene investigation.

The position will be supervised by Dr Theresa Stotesbury, Assistant Professor in

Forensic Science, and Dr Peter Lewis, Canada Research Chair in Trustworthy AI. The
position is offered for two years at a salary of $60,000 per year.

We are looking for a collaborative researcher with an interdisciplinary mindset and a

curiosity to look at problems from a new perspective. The successful candidate will take
a leading role in and make substantial contributions to the Reimagining Bloodstain
Pattern Analysis from the Bottom-Up project, which is funded by the Canadian federal
government’s New Frontiers in Research Fund.

Candidates should have a background in computer science or artificial intelligence, and

a strong working knowledge of machine learning. We are particularly interested in
candidates who have experience with unsupervised learning and/or image data. An
interest in achieving transparency, fairness, and trustworthiness in the criminal justice
system will be an advantage.

Drawing on domain expertise from the broader project team, the successful candidate
will conduct research on data-driven machine learning to identify emergent classification
schemes arising from bloodstain pattern data. Engaging with the forensic science and
AI communities, as well as partners in the criminal justice system, the successful
candidate will identify, describe, and evaluate new classification schemes suitable for
use by forensics practitioners.

As a member of both the Forensic Chemistry & Materials Lab and Trustworthy AI Lab at
Ontario Tech, here will be substantial opportunity for mentoring junior researchers and
developing collaborations with companies and other research groups. The successful
candidate will be expected to play an active role in these activities, as well as for
advancing our broader mission to advance trustworthy technology in service of society.
We aspire to be a collaborative, open-minded, inclusive, supportive, and fun
environment for researchers to work and grow in, and we welcome applications from
candidates who want to help us to advance this culture.

Responsibilities:

• To undertake fundamental and applied research in the area of machine learning for
bloodstain pattern analysis, in line with the Reimagining Bloodstain Pattern
Analysis from the Bottom Up project’s objectives and expected activities.

• To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, in order to
achieve the goals of the project, and in collaboration with the project directors and
partners.

• To disseminate research findings through academic publications, project reports,

research seminars, online events, news articles, conference presentations,
especially as part of the dissemination activities of the project.

• To supervise undergraduate students and interns on relevant research projects,

and to provide guidance and mentorship to graduate students where appropriate.

• To develop and nurture collaborations with partners, including companies,

public/non-profit organizations, and other research groups and communities,
locally, nationally and internationally.

• To contribute to the Forensic Chemistry & Materials Lab’s and Trustworthy AI Lab’s
research-related activities, taking responsibility for specific areas of research-
related activity (e.g., organization of seminars, management of research
equipment), as required.

• To contribute to writing bids for research funding.

• To undertake management/administration arising from research.

Education:

• PhD or equivalent in a relevant field, such as Computer Science, Artificial

Intelligence, or Machine Learning.

Required Skills and Experience:

 • Experience in the models, techniques, and methods relevant to modern AI.

• Experience of and an understanding of the importance of explainability,

interpretability, and trustworthiness of AI. Familiarity with common techniques to
achieve these.

• High level analytical skills, including with data-driven techniques.

• Ability to communicate complex information clearly, in English, through written

publications, visualizations, and oral presentations.

• Ability to plan and execute research effectively, including developing research

objectives, assessing time / resource requirements and risks, and using resources
effectively.

• Experience in research inspired by social challenges or commercial/industrial

problems, evidenced by real-world applications, and/or carried out collaboratively
with non-academic partners.

• Experience of and aptitude for collaborative research in diverse teams and

mentoring of junior colleagues.

• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader research-related

management/administration processes.

• Strong programming and software design & development skills, using modern tools
and techniques.

We adopt a flexible approach to working remotely or from the lab, however the
successful candidate must be based primarily in Ontario while in post. We anticipate
that at least some physical presence at the lab will be necessary, and international
travel might be required in line with international research community norms.

This position falls within the bargaining unit represented by the Public Service Alliance
of Canada (PSAC) and will be subject to the terms and conditions of the collective
agreement between the University and PSAC. The collective agreement may be found
on the Human Resources section of our website.

How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit in electronic format a covering letter and their
resume through the Ontario Tech website. Applications will be accepted until December
16th, or until a suitable candidate is found. We appreciate all applications received;
however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Ontario Tech University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications

from all qualified candidates, while especially encouraging applications from women,
members of visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and
persons of any sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. All qualified
candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents
and Indigenous Peoples in Canada will be given priority.

Ontario Tech University respects people's different needs and therefore will take all
reasonable steps to ensure adaptations for applicants where appropriate. The
University is also committed to ensuring that confidentiality is maintained throughout all
aspects of the recruitment cycle.

If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify

the hiring manager or Julie Day, Health and Disability Management Specialist. For more
information about the universities policies for accommodating employees with
disabilities please review the university’s Accessibility Policy

The university acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog
Island First Nation which is covered under the Williams Treaties. We are situated on the
Traditional Territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation
which includes Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi.