Research Associate (Technology & Content)

Position Snapshot

Reports To	Project Leader
Duration	8 months
Location	Lucknow, with field travel to Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh
Team	Works within a 7-member core project team (Project Leader, 2 Research Associates, Special Educator, M&E and Data Officer, Field Coordinator, IT/AT Technician)
Compensation	Commensurate with qualifications and experience, as per SPARC India's project salary scale
Nature of Role	Full-time

About SPARC India

SPARC India (School for Potential Advancement and Restoration of Confidence) is a pioneering not-for-profit committed to the empowerment of marginalised populations, with a strong focus on Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). Founded in 1996 by Dr. Amitabh Mehrotra — himself a person with cerebral palsy and a nationally recognised disability-rights advocate — SPARC India has built a 30-year legacy of grassroots service delivery, policy advocacy, and systemic inclusion across Lucknow and Barabanki districts, Uttar Pradesh.

About the Project

SPARC India, in technical partnership with IIT Bombay and with support from Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), is implementing an 8-month technology- and AI-driven intervention to transform the learning experience of 50 children with disabilities (cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and sensory impairments) across Lucknow and Barabanki. The project delivers individualised assessment and AT/AI device matching, two technology-enabled inclusive classrooms, and capacity building of 15 educators, therapists, and caregivers, with structured family and community engagement.

Purpose of the Position

The Research Associate (Technology & Content) leads the project's assistive-technology (AT) and AI needs assessment, device specification, and accessible digital-content development. Working directly with IIT Bombay's technical team, the role translates each child's assessed needs into concrete, well-specified technology deployments, two functioning smart classrooms, and a growing library of 80+ accessible learning resources.

Key Responsibilities

1. Assistive Technology & AI Needs Assessment

•  Conduct individualised AT and AI needs assessments for 50 children, in coordination with the Research Associate (Assessment & Evaluation), the therapy team, and IIT Bombay's technical team.

•  Translate clinical/functional assessment findings into specific device and software recommendations — e.g. communication boards/AAC apps, adapted seating, hearing aids, screen readers, and AI-based learning tools.

•  Finalise device and AI-tool specifications and support vendor identification, comparison, and negotiation ahead of lump-sum procurement (Months 5–6).

•  Conduct technology audits and device-utilisation reviews after deployment to verify appropriateness, uptake, and impact.

2. Accessible Content & Digital Repository

•  Lead development of 80+ accessible learning resources — adapted worksheets, AAC-compatible materials, screen-reader-friendly digital content, and AI-assisted learning aids — mapped to each child's IEP and curriculum needs.

•  Build and maintain a digital repository/resource library for use by educators, therapists, and families, ensuring content is organised, version-controlled, and easily retrievable.

•  Pilot and iterate content based on classroom feedback and digital-usage analytics.

3. Smart Classroom & Technology Deployment

•  Support the design and technical set-up of two technology-enabled inclusive (“smart”) classrooms — hardware, internet connectivity, displays, sensory zones, and accessible workstations.

•  Coordinate with the IT/AT Technician on installation, configuration, and AMC (annual maintenance contract) arrangements for devices and classroom technology.

•  Review weekly digital device-usage analytics (with the M&E and Data Officer) to monitor adoption and flag under-utilised devices or tools.

4. Training & Capacity-Building Support

•  Co-design and co-deliver technical training modules for 15 professionals (educators, therapists, facilitators) on AT and AI integration, as part of the project's Training-of-Trainers (ToT) model.

•  Support family-orientation sessions on using assistive devices and digital tools at home.

•  Provide on-demand technical troubleshooting guidance to teachers and families during pilot deployment.

5. Coordination & Documentation

•  Serve as the primary technical liaison with IIT Bombay on AT/AI assessment methodology, tool selection, and device specifications.

•  Contribute technology-related sections to milestone reports, the midline/endline evaluations, and the joint research paper with IIT Bombay.

•  Maintain documentation of device specifications, procurement rationale, and utilisation data to support FCRA-compliant financial and narrative reporting.

Key Deliverables

•  AT/AI needs-assessment report (Month 2).

•  Finalised device and AI-tool specifications (Month 4).

•  Two operational smart classrooms (Month 6).

•  80+ accessible learning resources and a functioning digital repository (phased, by Month 8).

•  Technology-audit and device-utilisation reports.

Qualifications & Experience

•  Essential: Master's degree (MA/M.Tech) in Assistive Technology, Educational Technology, Computer Science, or a related field.

•  Experience: 2–3 years working with assistive technology, EdTech content development, or inclusive digital design. Candidates with a strong project/technical portfolio and relevant Master's may also be considered.

•  Technical skills: familiarity with AAC tools, screen readers, adaptive hardware, basic AI/ML-enabled learning tools, and content-authoring or digital-repository platforms.

•  Sector knowledge: understanding of accessibility standards (WCAG), Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and disability-inclusive EdTech practice.

Key Competencies

•  Strong technical problem-solving ability combined with an instructional-design sensibility.

•  Comfort working hands-on with hardware/software in a classroom setting, alongside non-technical colleagues and families.

•  Creativity in adapting content for diverse disability profiles.

•  Ability to work to milestone deadlines and coordinate closely with an external technical partner (IIT Bombay).

Interested candidates may send an updated CV along with a cover letter outlining relevant experience to SPARC India's recruitment team, indicating the position title in the subject line. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a written assessment and interview.

Organization:  SPARC India

Website:  www.sparcindia.in

Locations:  Lucknow & Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh

E-Mail: admin@sparcindia.in 

Tags Assistive Technology Artificial Intelligence AI Accessible Content Inclusive Education Disability Research Digital Learning Content Development Technology Education Technology Accessibility