PhD Opportunity: Advancing Visual Accessibility in Software
Not everyone experiences vision the same way. Many software users are blind or have low vision, yet accessibility testing tools often miss critical issues. Traditionally, these tools rely on manual inspection or source code analysis, limiting their effectiveness. In this PhD, you will explore how we can overcome these limitations and push the boundaries of visual accessibility testing using state-of-the-art machine learning and software testing techniques. Your work has the potential for significant societal impact: 1.4 million people in Canada alone are blind or have low vision.
Not everyone experiences vision the same way. Many software users are blind or have low vision, yet accessibility testing tools often miss critical issues. Traditionally, these tools rely on manual inspection or source code analysis, limiting their effectiveness. In this PhD, you will explore how we can overcome these limitations and push the boundaries of visual accessibility testing using state-of-the-art machine learning and software testing techniques. Your work has the potential for significant societal impact: 1.4 million people in Canada alone are blind or have low vision.
What You Can Expect
- A supportive, collaborative lab environment where you will work alongside approximately 8 PhD, MSc, and undergraduate students.
- Weekly lab meetings and individual meetings with your supervisor to help you grow and succeed.
- Hands-on experience with cutting-edge software testing and AI-driven accessibility research.
Who Should Apply?
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If you have a degree in software engineering, computer science, or a related field—and an interest in user experience or accessibility—you could be a great fit! Even if you don’t check every single box, we encourage you to apply. Research shows that women and underrepresented groups often hesitate to apply unless they meet 100% of the criteria—let’s change that statistic! If this project excites you, I’d love to hear from you.
To apply, please submit your application on DearProf. We will not consider applications sent directly via email. Looking forward to your application! The application deadline for this position is March 15, 2025.