Job Description

Dr. Neil Heffernan seeks a full-time research scientist to join his lab at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). The position will support and advance research across several funded projects with Heffernan and his non-profit organization, the ASSISTments Foundation (TAF). This research position is based at WPI, but will closely communicate and coordinate with TAF.

The ASSISTments platform itself is a responsive online learning platform that is teacher-paced and evidence-based. ASSISTments is used by 20,000 teachers and 100,000 students per year, and is uniquely positioned because it enables scientists to create and test interventions to help students better learn. The ASSISTments platform is one of few available K-12 math tools proven effective through rigorous randomized controlled research.

We are looking for an individual with a doctoral degree in computer or data science with a focus in AI and LLMs to lead as well as coordinate federally-funded research projects related to learning sciences. This is a great opportunity for a recent graduate who wants to work as part of an R1 research lab to advance the field of learning sciences & technology.

In addition to active involvement in research projects, this position will be expected to assist in the processes related to IRB oversight and federal grant writing. Over the past two decades, Dr. Heffernan has earned millions of dollars in grants from federal (NSF, IES, DOE) and philanthropic sources such as the Gates Foundation, Arnold Ventures, and Hewlett. This unique role enables junior scientists to serve as Co-PIs on grant projects, thereby enabling them to quickly build their CV with an impressive list of funding and projects related to education and technology.

We seek someone who has an "all-hands-on-deck" mentality, who is able to work both individually and as part of a team. Similar to the role of "post-doc," the initial appointment is for one year, renewable based on mutual interest and continued funding.

If you are interested, please attach a resume and cover letter that explains your interest and qualifications. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applications without cover letters will not be reviewed.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Coordinate, collaborate, and support PI's team of Ph.D students and research scientists
• Coordinate and collaborate with the ASSISTment Foundation's product team and software engineers.
• Build and maintain the machine-learning software infrastructure that supports research projects within the ASSISTments platform.
• Spearhead machine-learning efforts across multiple grant-funded projects.
• Maintain existing IRB protocols and submit new IRB protocols if necessary.
• Learn and/or hone grant-writing skills to increase funding for related projects.

Technical Requirements

• A Ph.D in computer science, data science, artificial intelligence, or information sciences.
• Python
• PostgreSQL
• Prompt engineering for user-facing application features
• Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG)
• Qualitative and quantitative techniques for evaluating model output
• Data cleaning and processing
• Statistical analysis
• Git + Git Hub
• AWS

Professional Requirements

• Strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to target communication to various audiences, including academics, industry professionals, and teacher users of ASSISTments.
• Experience coordinating cross-team projects, managing timelines and stakeholders, and strategizing creative solutions towards clear goals with exceptional attention to detail.
• Proactive, thoughtful, and entrepreneurial work style on both highly independent and team projects.
• Experience with the Google suite of office products.
• Experience with databases such as AirTable or GoogleSheets (spreadsheets).

Preferred

• Experience in K-12 education organizations preferred.
• Experience in working with a start-up team.
• Experience in working with IRBs or human subjects preferred.

FLSA STATUS: United States of America (Exempt)