"Assistant/Associate Professor Workforce Development and AI Literacy"

Job Details

Assistant/Associate Professor Workforce Development and AI Literacy

Details

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the nature of work, reshaping industries, and redefining the skills required for success in a rapidly changing economy. Preparing students, communities, and organizations for this shift requires dedicated expertise in AI literacy, workforce development, and applied learning strategies.

The University of Utah, under its Strategy 2030 and One-U Responsible AI Initiative (One-U RAI), is investing in faculty who will strengthen teaching, research, and partnerships at the intersection of AI, workforce readiness, and equitable access to digital literacy and skills. This faculty member will build transdisciplinary collaborations across colleges, develop applied research on AI literacy and workforce development, and contribute to Utah's economic and educational ecosystem through training and innovation in responsible AI use.

We seek candidates with demonstrated expertise in research in workforce development, AI education, and/or digital upskilling initiatives. This may include but is not limited to the exploration of curriculum design for AI literacy, research on the impacts of AI on labor markets, stackable certificates and micro-credentials on AI, the design and evaluation of AI-powered learning tools, cognitive processes involved in learning and memory, including motivation and metacognition, or applied training programs for diverse learners (undergraduate, graduate, professional, and community). This recruitment specifically targets faculty with expertise in AI literacy and workforce development, helping students and communities thrive in a rapidly evolving economy.

This specific recruitment is for a tenure-track position at the Assistant or Associate Professor level to begin in Fall 2026. The successful candidate will have a research appointment with the Scientific Computing and Imaging (SCI) Institute at the University of Utah, and their tenure home in one of the following participating colleges and departments: College of Architecture + Planning: Department of City and Metropolitan Planning and Multi-Disciplinary Design, Division of Games, School of Architecture; College of Business: Departments of Operations & Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis of Markets and Organizations (QAMO); College of Education: Department of Educational Psychology; College of Engineering: School ofComputing; College of Humanities: Departments of Communication and Writing & Rhetoric Studies; College of Science: Department of Mathematics; College of Social and Behavioral Science: Department of Psychology.

We seek a colleague with a commitment to excellence in teaching and demonstrated ability to obtain research funding and publish high-quality peer-reviewed research. We are especially interested in candidates who can contribute to our university's Strategy 2030 and the One-U RAI.

Qualified candidates may come from education, instructional design, educational technology, learning sciences, social sciences, psychology, humanities, communication, writing studies, computer science, physical sciences, engineering, mathematics, design, architecture, planning, business, economics, or related fields.

Responsibilities

Research & Scholarship:

• Develop a program of applied research in workforce development, AI literacy, or AI-enabled learning.
• Publish high-quality peer-reviewed research and secure external funding in AI/education/labor market research.
• Explore workforce impacts of AI in sectors relevant to Utah (e.g., healthcare, tech, business, government).

Teaching & Curriculum Development:

• Teach and develop courses on AI literacy, workforce development, and applied AI for undergraduate and graduate students.
• Contribute to certificate and other programs in AI skills and responsible AI use.
• Mentor students and professionals seeking careers in AI-augmented industries.

Collaboration & Engagement:

• Partner with the Scientific Computing and Imaging (SCI) Institute (sci.utah.edu) and with industry partners and workforce boards to design scalable programs.
• Collaborate with colleagues across departments (Education, Business, Engineering, Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences, etc.).
• Support statewide initiatives in AI literacy and workforce development aligned with Utah's economic development goals.

Leadership & Service:

• Contribute to the University's national leadership in AI in teaching and learning.
• Participate in faculty governance and committee work.
• Advance inclusive practices that expand access to AI skills for underrepresented populations.

Qualifications

Required:

• A doctoral degree in education, instructional design, educational technology, learning sciences, social sciences, psychology, humanities, communication, writing studies, computer science, physical sciences, engineering, mathematics, design, architecture, planning, business, economics, or related fields (by start date).
• Demonstrated record of scholarship or applied practice in workforce development and/or AI literacy.
• Evidence of teaching excellence and curriculum development.
• Commitment to responsible, ethical, and equitable approaches to AI.

Preferred:

• Experience securing external funding from foundations, government, or industry.
• Demonstrated partnerships with employers, government agencies, or community organizations.
• Expertise in designing accessible training for diverse populations, including nontraditional learners.
• Experience with AI-enhanced education tools, learning analytics, or micro-credentialing.

About the Initiative

The One-U RAI housed within the Scientific Computing and Imaging (SCI) Institute at the University of Utah is growing and pursuing multiple new faculty hires over the next five years. These hires will expand the core research expertise in responsible and translational AI within three thematic areas: environment, healthcare and wellness, and teaching and learning. A major goal is to attract new partnerships across the University and beyond. Candidates whose research expertise integrates social and technical aspects are of particular interest.

About the SCI Institute

About the University of Utah

Special Instructions for Candidates

Qualified applicants must submit:

• A letter of intent outlining research and teaching interests
• Curriculum vitae
• Teaching philosophy statement

Review of applications will begin November 15, 2025, and will remain open until the position is filled. References will not be contacted without candidate consent.

Inquiries regarding the position may be directed to the Search Committee Co-Chairs, Chenglu Li (chenglu.li@utah.edu) and Rob MacLeod (macleod@sci.utah.edu).

Department: 00810 - Scient Comp & Imag Instit-Oper
City: Salt Lake City, UT
Track: Tenure Track
Open Until Filled: Yes