University of Toronto AI for Mental Health Lab - Volunteer Research Assistant
Unity Health Toronto · Canada
- Hybrid
- Volunteer
- Canada
Job highlights
- AI research role in mental health applications.
- Develop AI agents and chatbots for conditions.
- Collaborate with clinicians and researchers.
- Gain experience with LLMs and agentic AI.
- Remote position, 20-30 hours/week commitment.
About the role
Volunteer Research Assistant - AI for Mental Health
The AI for Mental Health lab at the University of Toronto (UofT), in collaboration with Unity Health Toronto, is seeking motivated AI researchers to join our interdisciplinary team. We are working at the intersection of AI, Neuroscience, and Mental Health, focusing on developing AI agents for mental health applications.
About the Role
As a Volunteer Research Assistant, you will collaborate with clinicians and researchers to design, build, and test AI agents. This includes developing novel chatbots for depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric conditions. This is a remote position requiring a commitment of 20–30 hours per week.
Why Join Us?
- Co-author peer-reviewed research publications.
- Gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge AI in clinical neuroscience.
- Work directly with researchers, clinicians, and engineers.
- Potential for future funded opportunities and strong academic referrals based on performance.
- Develop real-world systems with meaningful mental health impact.
What We're Looking For:
- Experience with LLMs and agentic AI systems (e.g., LangChain, LangGraph, LangFlow).
- Solid understanding of RAG, conversational agents, and chatbots.
- Strong math and computer science background.
- Demonstrated ability to design and deploy AI agents (via prior projects, coursework, or open-source work).
- Solid grasp of AI/ML fundamentals and problem-solving skills.
- Strong collaboration and self-driven mindset.
How to Apply:
Please fill out the application form: https://forms.gle/xom3oTwi9EqxLnKr6
For any questions, please reach out to Dr. Amin Kamaleddin at Amin.Kamaleddin@utoronto.ca.
Diversity and Inclusion
We value diversity, equity, and inclusion in our research environment. If you're passionate about this space but don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply, especially if you're from an underrepresented background in STEM or research.
Key skills/competency
- Large Language Models (LLMs)
- Agentic AI Systems
- LangChain
- RAG
- Conversational Agents
- Chatbots
- AI/ML Fundamentals
- Research
- Clinical Neuroscience
- Python
Skills & topics
- AI
- Mental Health
- Research Assistant
- LLM
- Agentic AI
- Chatbots
- RAG
- University of Toronto
- Unity Health Toronto
- Neuroscience
How to get hired
- Tailor your application: Highlight your experience with LLMs, agentic AI, and chatbot development.
- Showcase projects: Provide examples of AI agent design and deployment from past work.
- Demonstrate understanding: Emphasize your strong math, computer science, and AI/ML fundamentals.
- Express passion: Convey your self-driven mindset and collaborative spirit in your application.
- Complete the form: Ensure you submit your application through the provided Google Forms link.
Technical preparation
Familiarize yourself with LLM and agentic AI concepts.,Practice building chatbots using frameworks like LangChain.,Review RAG implementation techniques.,Strengthen your AI/ML fundamentals and math skills.
Behavioral questions
Describe a challenging AI project you completed.,How do you collaborate with diverse teams?,How do you stay self-driven on projects?,How do you approach problem-solving in AI?
Frequently asked questions
- What is the commitment for the Volunteer Research Assistant role at Unity Health Toronto?
- The Volunteer Research Assistant role at Unity Health Toronto's AI for Mental Health lab requires a commitment of 20–30 hours per week.
- Can I apply for the AI for Mental Health role if I don't meet all the requirements?
- Yes, Unity Health Toronto values diversity and encourages applications from individuals who are passionate about the field, even if they don't meet every single requirement, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM or research.
- What specific AI technologies are prioritized for the AI for Mental Health lab?
- The lab is particularly interested in candidates with experience in Large Language Models (LLMs) and agentic AI systems, including tools like LangChain, LangGraph, and LangFlow, as well as RAG, conversational agents, and chatbots.
- What kind of projects will I work on as a Volunteer Research Assistant at UofT?
- As a Volunteer Research Assistant, you will collaborate to design, build, and test AI agents for mental health applications, including developing novel chatbots for conditions like depression and anxiety.
- Is the Volunteer Research Assistant position at Unity Health Toronto paid?
- The position is listed as a Volunteer Research Assistant role, indicating it is unpaid. However, there is potential for future funded opportunities based on performance.
- Who should I contact if I have questions about the AI for Mental Health Research Assistant position?
- For any questions regarding the Volunteer Research Assistant position at the AI for Mental Health lab, please reach out to Dr. Amin Kamaleddin at Amin.Kamaleddin@utoronto.ca.
- What is the application process for the AI for Mental Health Volunteer Research Assistant role?
- The application process involves filling out a specific application form provided via a Google Forms link: https://forms.gle/xom3oTwi9EqxLnKr6.