Postdoctoral Research Associate- STEM Ed & AI Literacy

Position Summary

The AI4STEM Education Center at the University of Georgia’s (UGA) Mary Frances Early College of Education invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position with a focus on STEM teaching and learning, artificial intelligence (AI) literacy, and the responsible and effective use of AI in STEM classrooms to begin February 2026. The position is a 12-month renewable full-time appointment based at the Athens campus.

The successful candidate will be working with Dr. Xiaoming Zhai, Associate Professor and Director of the AI4STEM Education Center, and other collaborators on several federally funded grants from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education. The candidate will actively contribute to the design, development, and evaluation of AI applications to advance AI literacy and STEM education across K–12 and higher education.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Conducts research on STEM education, AI literacy, and AI-enhanced teaching and learning across K–12 and higher education
• Design and study instructional innovations that integrate generative AI into STEM curricula, assessments, and classroom practices
• Lead or co-lead professional development to support teachers’ understanding and classroom use of AI tools
• Publish scholarly work and disseminate findings to researcher, practitioner, and policy communities
• Support the Center Director on initiatives related to STEM education, outreach, and interdisciplinary programs
• Advise and mentor graduate students conducting research in STEM education, AI literacy, and technology-enhanced learning

Relevant/Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure, Certification in Position

A doctorate in STEM education, learning sciences, or a closely related field by the start date

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Research training and evidence of expertise in STEM teaching and learning, STEM pedagogy, or technology-enhanced learning
• Expertise with AI literacy frameworks, generative AI tools, or the application of AI in educational settings
• High-quality publications related to STEM education, learning sciences, or AI-enabled instruction
• Ability to work on campus and engage collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams
• Strong commitment to advancing AI literacy and responsible AI use in STEM classrooms
• Expertise in designing or studying teacher professional development in STEM or AI literacy
• Background in formative assessment, active learning, or equity-centered STEM pedagogy
• Ability to translate complex AI tools and concepts into accessible learning experiences for teachers and students
• An established, active record of scholarship and productivity
• Strong communication, organization, responsiveness, and collaborative teamwork skills