Faculty Professor Assistant - Full-Time

Tenure-Stream Faculty Position

As the University of Pittsburgh’s newest school, the School of Computing and Information (SCI) is a growing interdisciplinary community of faculty, staff and students who are accustomed to thinking beyond boundaries and innovating new approaches to lead our institution and nation to positive change. Since 2017, SCI has recruited nearly forty new faculty members, and we are continuing our growth with multiple openings in the tenure stream this year. 

The Learning Research and Development Center (LRDC) is a University Research Center dedicated to advancing the science of learning by bringing together researchers from the cognitive, developmental, social, educational, and computational sciences. Its faculty leads collaborative and interdisciplinary research on learning in its many forms and varied settings while providing education and research training across disciplines.

SCI’s interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research and education spans computer science, informatics, and networked systems, and information culture and data stewardship with rich connections to partners in education, health sciences, medicine, engineering, social sciences, business, and other areas.

LRDC’s research is organized around overlapping areas: Cognitive and neural Foundations, Developmental Processes, Educational Opportunities, Equity, & Attainment, Informal & Life-long Learning, Improvement Research, Learning Technology, Motivation and engagement, Reading & Language, Reasoning, Decision-making, & Argumentation, and STEM.

SCI and LRDC place a strong emphasis on diversity, social justice, and inclusive excellence, and we are actively seeking faculty colleagues who share a deep commitment to these principles and contribute to the broadening of participation in computing through their research, education, service, engagement, and lived experiences. We promote an equitable and inclusive community through faculty development and mentorship, promotion of work-life balance, a program for dual-career couples, and a commitment to recruit, retain, and develop faculty from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

About the Position

Artificial Intelligence and Learning Science (Assistant Professor)

The School of Computing and Information (SCI) and Learning Research and Development Center (LRDC) seek to hire a faculty member at the rank of Assistant Professor (SCI) and Research Scientist (LRDC) at the confluence of Artificial Intelligence and Learning Science. The position builds on SCI’s ongoing initiative and faculty hiring that prioritizes scholarship on the use of learning technology to further social justice outcomes.  This role requires experience in advancing technology-oriented educational approaches and outcomes through the development and application of AI methods including large language models, generative AI, and other foundational AI approaches. The ideal candidate will also have an interest in learning sciences, including but not limited to the study of student and teacher learning, broadly construed, and in scholarship on social justice, including but not limited to learning processes, practices, and outcomes for minoritized populations, principles for responsible and equitable AI in education, and community-engaged scholarship. In sum, the individual filling this position is expected to engage in research that considers, improves, or creates state-of-the-art AI-centric learning science to address societal problems, including supporting learning for all, deepening social impact, and improving lives. 

We seek candidates who are interested in exploring how AI and learning science can analyze and affect mechanisms within the social structure, such as cultural symbols, rules of behavior, social organizations, or value systems that influence learning. We seek transdisciplinary researchers who have a strong interest in working across other areas such as Africana Studies, Natural and Physical Sciences, Communications, Education, Psychology, Health Sciences, Gender Studies, Law, Medicine, Social Science, or Social Work. Additionally, we seek researchers with a strong background in engaging historically excluded communities in the development, application, and evaluation of AI technologies in learning spaces.

SCI and LRDC strongly encourage applications from women, underrepresented, and minoritized candidates. We are especially interested in candidates with a demonstrated commitment to working with students from diverse backgrounds, as well as those whose research, teaching, and service align with our diversity values and aim to address societal issues.

Required Qualifications

·         Candidates must have earned a Ph.D. or equivalent degree (e.g., Doctor of Law) prior to the appointment, in an area relevant to Artificial Intelligence and Learning Science 

·         Candidates must possess at least three years of relevant experience in research, teaching, community work, technology innovation, or equivalent areas

·         Candidates must have a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion

·         Interest in interdisciplinary, impactful work, and collaboration in AI and learning science

·         A relevant scholarly record including but not limited to publication quality, teaching portfolio, technology products, and/or history of community advocacy

·         Interest in supporting a learning and social change agenda

Application Process

Individuals interested in the opening may apply at https://sci.pitt.edu/recruiting .  A completed application includes a cover letter, curriculum vitae, research statement, teaching statement, a statement of commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive community, and the names and contact information of at least three recommenders. 

For best consideration, please apply by November 3, 2023. We anticipate that individuals will be invited to interview on campus starting in January 2024. The anticipated start date is September 1, 2024. Questions about the search and/or application status should be emailed to [email protected] .

Please see position ad for application requirements: A completed application includes a cover letter, curriculum vitae, research statement, teaching statement, statement of commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive community and the names and contact information for at least three recommenders. Application review will begin immediately. We anticipate that interviews will begin in January. The anticipated start date is September 1, 2024. Questions about this position and/or application status should be emailed to [email protected]. The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity, and diversity, EOE, including disability/vets.

The University of Pittsburgh is committed to championing all aspects of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within our community. This commitment is a fundamental value of the University and is crucial in helping us advance our mission, which includes attracting and retaining diverse workforces. We will continue to create and maintain an environment that allows individuals to discover, belong, contribute, and grow, while honoring the experiences, perspectives, and unique identities of all.

The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity and diversity. EOE, including disability/vets.