Intern, Agentic Canvas Interactions

Autodesk; Toronto; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Autodesk in Toronto, ON, is seeking a PhD candidate for a research internship in Human-Computer Interaction and Visualization. You will develop software prototypes, conduct literature reviews, and explore concepts at the intersection of AI, data visualization, and interactive tech.

Mentored by our research group, you’ll contribute to publications, experiments, and demonstrations. The role is onsite in Toronto, Canada, with opportunities to present findings externally and influence future

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a PhD program in Computer Science or related field, with a specialization in Human-Computer Interaction, and at least one academic term to complete post internship
• Demonstrated expertise in interactive technologies with peer‑reviewed publications
• Strong communication skills and teamwork experience
• Very strong technical skills in building software prototypes

Responsibilities

• Develop software prototypes to support research and design efforts
• Conduct literature reviews
• Gather requirements to explore and design research concepts
• Develop algorithms and build prototypes to test ideas
• Conduct usability, ethnographic, heuristic evaluations and surveys
• Evaluate findings to inform business and product directions
• Author a full research paper and produce a research video

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Software prototyping

Interactive technologies

Education

PhD in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Generative AI tools

Web development

Unity

Unreal Engine

Windows/macOS development

Job description

Toronto, ON, CAN

Full time

26WD100616

Job Requisition ID #

26WD100616

Position Overview

Graduate internships will explore new areas of technology and help Autodesk (as well as the academic community) understand how emerging technologies can be leveraged to improve creation and design processes. Within the HCI and Visualization research group, you and your mentor(s) will arrive at a mutually agreed upon research project in the area of human-computer interaction or data visualization. Over the course of the internship, you will drive that project forward with guidance from your mentor(s), including implementation, experimental validation, data analysis, etc. Specific areas of interest for research projects include: User Interfaces for generative AI or Machine Learning Systems, Information Visualization, Software Learning, Future of Work, Generative Design Tools, Interactive Fabrication, and, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality.

This role is onsite in Toronto, Canada.

Responsibilities

• Support the research and design efforts by developing software prototypes
• Conduct literature reviews
• Gather requirements and issues to explore and design
• Develop algorithms
• Build prototypes to test and explore concepts
• Conduct formal controlled psychological experiments to test research ideas and hypotheses
• Measure human performance and cognition limitations related to interaction with technology
• Conduct usability studies, ethnographic studies, heuristic evaluations, task analyses, structured interviews and surveys
• Evaluate research findings and prototypes to make recommendations for impacting business and products
• Explore new prototyping frameworks and technologies
• Author a full research paper
• Produce an accompanying research video
• Present the results of your research externally and internally

Minimum Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a PhD program in Computer Science or related field, with a specialization in Human-Computer Interaction, and at least one academic term to complete post internship
• Demonstrated expertise in the area of interactive technologies, with peer-reviewed publications on the topic in international venues
• Strong communication skills and teamwork experience
• Very strong technical skills in building software prototypes

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with modern generative AI tools and frameworks (e.g., GPT, Llama, Stable Diffusion, ComfyUI)
• Experience with web development and frameworks (e.g., React/Next.js, Node.js/Flask, etc.)
• Experience interfacing with unique hardware modules
• Experience developing software in a Windows or MacOS environment
• Experience developing software for AR or VR equipment (e.g., Meta Quest, Apple Vision Pro)
• Experience with programming 3D graphics, Unity, Unreal Engine
• Experimental design and data analysis
• Rapid prototyping
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team; ability to work with minimum supervision, self-driven
• Ability to deal with requirements from multiple sources and find solutions and deal with conflicts and compromises in a diplomatic manner
• Ability to communicate effectively and work cooperatively with other teams
• Ability to write clear, concise, correct technical material

Learn More

About Autodesk

Welcome to Autodesk! Amazing things are created every day with our software - from the greenest buildings and cleanest cars to the smartest factories and biggest hit movies. We help innovators turn their ideas into reality, transforming not only how things are made, but what can be made.

We take great pride in our culture here at Autodesk - it's at the core of everything we do. Our culture guides the way we work and treat each other, informs how we connect with customers and partners, and defines how we show up in the world.

When you're an Autodesker, you can do meaningful work that helps build a better world designed and made for all. Ready to shape the world and your future? Join us!

Salary transparency

Salary is one part of Autodesk's competitive compensation package. Offers are based on the candidate's experience, educational level, and geographic location.

Belonging

We take pride in cultivating a culture of belonging where everyone can thrive. Learn more here: https://www.autodesk.com/company/global-belonging

In-Person Onboarding and Identity Verification

This role may require in-person onboarding and/or in-person ID verification.

Welcome to Autodesk! Amazing things are created every day with our software - from the greenest buildings and cleanest cars to the smartest factories and biggest hit movies. We help innovators turn their ideas into reality, transforming not only how things are made, but what can be made.

We take great pride in our culture here at Autodesk - it's at the core of everything we do. Our culture guides the way we work and treat each other, informs how we connect with customers and partners, and defines how we show up in the world.

When you're an Autodesker, you can do meaningful work that helps build a better world designed and made for all. Ready to shape the world and your future? Join us!