"AI Tinkery Manager"

Post Date: Oct 24, 2025

Requisition #: 107637

The Stanford Accelerator for Learning (SAL) seeks a full-time AI Tinkery Manager to oversee operations and programming. In collaboration with faculty and students, the Manager will be responsible for creating and sustaining an AI learning program in which individuals from all levels of experience can explore approaches to learning that leverage new AI tools. Our approach is hands-on, critical, human-centered, and collaborative. This person will collaborate well with students and faculty as well as technical staff in a fast-paced, project-based environment. If you enjoy engaging with and supporting a diverse community of learners, we want to hear from you!

Note: This is a 1-year fixed term position that may be renewed subject to funding and operational need. This position is based on Stanford’s main campus and will be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement (minimum 3.5 days in the office per week). Interested applicants should include a resume and cover letter describing why they are interested in this position at this stage in their career.

ABOUT US

The AI Tinkery is hosted by the Stanford Accelerator for Learning. Housed at Stanford Graduate School of Education, the Stanford Accelerator for Learning is the first university-wide initiative connecting scholars across disciplines and with external partners to bridge research, innovation, practice, and policy, and bring quality scalable and equitable learning experiences to all learners, throughout the lifespan. The Stanford Accelerator for Learning focuses on learning challenges most in need of new discoveries, evidence, and solutions and where we believe Stanford can make the most difference. Those include adult & workforce learning, digital learning, early childhood education and development, equity in learning, learning differences, and policy & systems change.

The AI Tinkery is a sister space to the GSE Makery, which provides equipment and support for the Graduate School of Education community to improve lives through hands-on learning. The unique focus of the GSE Makery is captured in our motto, “Learn to make. Make to learn.” The AI Tinkery extends the making ethos into the realm of AI tools, providing opportunities to design, tinker, build, craft, and create.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director of the AI Tinkery, the Manager will manage the day-to-day operations, programs, and student staffing of the AI Tinkery. The Manager designs and facilitates learning experiences, guiding Stanford community members and K-12 educators in creatively applying and critically understanding emerging AI tools and technologies. This includes computer maintenance, scheduling, and outreach communication. Our ideal candidate is highly organized, adaptable, and resourceful. They will also enjoy working with, guiding, and interacting with students, faculty, and the broader campus community.

CORE DUTIES

Learning Lead

• Actively encourage and support the understanding, evaluation, and shaping of AI-based tools by developing and implementing new resources for instructors or students, assisting them with the tools, and creating and supporting an infrastructure that allows use of the tools in learning.
• Develop and lead seminars, courses, or workshops about uses of AI technologies in educational contexts.
• Create and disseminate learning resources, including the tinkery model itself.
• Assess learning needs; develop and deliver workshops and innovative, user-friendly documentation.
• Consult on educational technology needs for instructors and/or students and provide or coordinate solutions.
• Engage in initiatives to encourage faculty and/or students to adopt the use of appropriate AI technologies in their teaching, learning, co-curricular activities, or research.
• Provide assistance in the direct integration of AI tools into course curricula, extra-curricular or co-curricular learning, and/or research projects.

Physical and Digital Spaces

• Co-create and implement a vision for the AI Tinkery experience.
• Design and develop interactive and/or analog installations for the space.
• Recommend software, hardware, and multimedia equipment.
• Maintain appropriate accounts and login credentials for AI tools.
• Maintain the AI Tinkery calendar. Respond to inquiries about space usage and capabilities within and beyond SAL.
• Manage a team of student mentors.
• Maintain the AI Tinkery web site. Update marketing/branding as needed.
• Develop relationships with service providers throughout the university to advocate needs and obtain resources for faculty and students.
• Track attendance and usage data. Generate quarterly usage and budget reports.
• Staff advisory group meetings (schedule, invite, agenda, etc.).

Expertise

• Stay informed about educational technology developments through lists, publications, and conferences.
• Provide outreach and advocacy within or across departments for effective and ethical uses of AI tools in educational settings.
• Assist with coordination of academic learning technology policies, procedures, and support.
• Participate in or lead projects to develop innovative uses of technology for research, student learning, and/or community building.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

To be successful in this position, you will bring:

• Bachelor's degree plus four years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.
• Ability to interact effectively and tactfully with members of the academic community; demonstrated experience working in an environment with colleagues of diverse backgrounds and customs.
• Ability to plan, design, develop and evaluate engaging multimedia learning/training objects.
• Demonstrated expertise with instructional design methodologies, pedagogical issues and best practices for classroom, online and hybrid learning.
• Ability to define and solve logical problems for technical applications.
• Experience with delivering applications in a networked environment.
• Excellent time management and project management skills. Demonstrated ability to manage a complex workload, prioritize tasks and use good judgment in providing services based on goal.
• Ability to coordinate and manage multiple projects in a complex and technical environment.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

In addition, preferred qualifications include:

• Master’s degree in relevant area of study (learning sciences, education, computer science) preferred.
• Previous experience teaching is a plus.

The expected pay range for this position is $96,212 - $113,000 per annum. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.