"Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor of Learning Sciences - RISE AI"

Job Details

Salary:
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Job Category: Faculty

Employment Type: Regular

Job Profile: Professor

Job Summary:

The University of Wisconsin - Madison Department of Educational Psychology, Learning Sciences Program Area, seeks an outstanding candidate for an open rank tenure-track faculty position (Assistant [advanced], Associate or Full Professor). Desirable candidates should be able to (a) demonstrate a strong portfolio of research in the Learning Sciences and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education, broadly construed, (b) publish research in high-quality refereed journals, (c) provide exemplary graduate student training, (d) teach courses within our learning science area. A particular emphasis on experience with leading a state-of-the-art program of research that examines and expands current theories of how people think and learn in relation to AI, such as Large Language Models (LLMs); Deep Learning (DL); Neural Networks (NNs); Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs); Transformers; and Reinforcement Learning (RL) is preferred. Areas of specific interest include but are not limited to:

• Designing and empirically investigating ways of promoting thinking, learning, teaching, and/or assessment based on innovative uses of AI in formal educational settings, such as classrooms, as well as those occurring in informal learning settings, including Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) environments
• Advancing understanding of the science of learning and augmented intelligence regarding how human reasoning, decision-making, learning and other cognitive processes can be enhanced through human-machine collaboration and interactions with AI-based systems and other forms of socio-technical systems.
• Developing, applying, testing, refining, and/or expanding current research methods in the Learning Sciences through the use of AI, including those that address the multimodal and distributed nature of human reasoning and communication
• Empirical investigation of factors that influence learning with AI or trust in AI, such as ethical and societal implications of AI in learning and education, including bias, data privacy, and educational disparities.

The Department of Educational Psychology has consistently been ranked as one of the top departments of educational psychology for decades and the School of Education is ranked as one of the top public schools of education in the nation in U.S. News & World Report (both are currently ranked #1).

UW-Madison is recognized consistently as one of the world's leading universities. The department prioritizes embracing students, faculty and staff and cultivating a thriving community that is welcoming, supportive, and respectful. The Department is committed to supporting its faculty, staff, and student body. Candidates who can contribute to these priorities are encouraged to identify their strengths and experiences in these areas in their cover letter, research statement, and/or teaching statement.

Madison, Wisconsin, a city of more than 250,000, has been named on top-10 lists for tech growth centers, and consistently ranks as a top community in which to live, work, and play. Madison, Wisconsin is one of the most livable cities in the United States. The Department provides a stimulating and supportive environment for research, teaching, and programmatic funding with a strong value on collaborative and interdisciplinary research.

RISE AI faculty will participate in interdisciplinary and collaborative efforts with RISE AI faculty in other departments, schools, and colleges. Tenured and tenure-track faculty at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Education conduct research, teach courses, mentor students, and contribute to school, university, community, and professional activities through academic citizenship, service, and leadership.

Additional Information: This position is part of the Wisconsin Research, Innovation and Scholarly Excellence (RISE) Initiative. Through accelerated and strategic faculty hiring, research infrastructure enhancement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and increased student and educational opportunities, RISE addresses complex societal challenges of importance to the state, nation and world. Building on UW - Madison's strengths, RISE expands the University's successful track record of connecting with communities and industry on collaborative solutions. RISE-AI will strengthen the university's ability to address challenges and opportunities in artificial intelligence, translating discoveries into tangible benefits at home in Wisconsin and beyond. In total the RISE-AI hiring initiative aims to add four new faculty members at all ranks to this existing AI community in the School of Education at UW-Madison.

Beginning in 2024, UW-Madison will substantially increase current hiring levels, bringing 150 new RISE faculty to campus. Candidates hired through RISE will join a community of scholars working across disciplines, schools and colleges on research, teaching and outreach endeavors. The community will engage regularly in venues such as seminar series and colloquia to share ongoing projects and identify opportunities to work together. The University will support the community, facilitating access to research infrastructure, and funding to support broad and rich collaboration, currently supported with the launch of the RISE-AI Collaboration HQ.

Further information regarding RISE and RISE-AI Collaboration HQ can be found at: https://rise.wisc.edu/ and https://dsi.wisc.edu/rise-ai-hq/

RESEARCH RESPONSIBILITIES

• The successful candidate will be expected to develop and maintain a collaborative, innovative, robust, and highly visible research program that entails conceptualizing, designing, and conducting research studies; managing research staff; following all research compliance policies; disseminating research results; and seeking extramural funding. Research programs should be consistent with national priorities for extramural funding.
• Conduct exemplary research that leads to publication in leading journals appropriate to areas of investigation

TEACHING RESPONSIBILITIES

• The successful candidate will be expected to develop and teach learning science courses aligned with their expertise at graduate and when appropriate, the undergraduate level.
• Research mentoring and advising of PhD students, and when appropriate mentoring undergraduate and postdoctoral trainees/fellows is expected.

SERVICE RESPONSIBILITIES

• The successful candidate will be expected to actively contribute to school, university, community, and professional committees and other activities through academic service appropriate to rank demonstrating organizational citizenship, professionalism, and positive collegial interaction.

Education: Required PhD in Educational Psychology, Psychology, Education, Learning Sciences, Machine Learning, or a related discipline.

Anticipated Start Date: AUGUST 17, 2026

Key Job Responsibilities:

Department:

School of Education / Department of Educational Psychology

Compensation:

Salary Negotiable - 9 Month Academic Appointment

Commensurate with qualifications and experience. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund.

Required Qualifications:

Well-qualified applicants must show evidence of the following:

• Research training and experience in conducting learning science and AI in education research projects
• Evidence of developing an outstanding scholarly research program an excellent academic record, a vision for an innovative, significant and impactful research program, the skills to implement it
• A record of research dissemination through publications and/or presentations
• History of and future potential for securing extramural grant funding
• Knowledge and skills a commitment to high quality teaching and mentoring at graduate and as appropriate undergraduate levels in the field of learning science and AI in education
• Evidence of and continued commitment to contributions to the outreach and service missions of the School of Education and the Department of Educational Psychology
• Ability to work effectively within a diverse community, and commitment to promoting a climate of inclusion and belonging within our campus, associated communities and work environment.
• For appointment at the rank of Associate or full Professor, a substantial nationally recognized record of research, publication, teaching, and service meeting UW–Madison Divisional Committee, School of Education, and Department of Educational Psychology tenure standards is required.
• Doctorate or terminal degree in Educational Psychology, Psychology, Education, Learning Sciences, Machine Learning or related field, the start date of August 17, 2026, is required.

Education:

Required PhD in Educational Psychology, Psychology, Education, Learning Sciences, Machine Learning, or a related discipline.

How to Apply:

Applications must be received through UW-Madison's online application system.

Candidates should submit a single PDF of the following documents: (a) letter of interest, (b) curriculum vitae, (c) research statement, (d) teaching statement, (e) three samples of representative publications and (f) the contact information for three individuals who will provide letters of reference. Documents must be submitted via the "Apply Now" link.

To ensure consideration, application materials must be received by Friday, January 9, 2026; however, this position will remain open, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Employment will require an institutional reference check regarding any misconduct. To be considered, applicants must upload a signed 'Authorization to Release Information' form as part of the application. The authorization form and a definition of 'misconduct' can be found here: https://hr.wisc.edu/institutional-reference-check/

Contact Information:

Dr. Sadhana Puntambekar, Professor and Search Committee Chair

puntambekar@education.wisc.edu

(608) 262-0829