Research Assistant (English Language and Literature Department) [NIE]

Nanyang Technological University; Singapore; On-site; SGD 40,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

NIE, a research-intensive public university unit within Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore), invites applications for a Research Assistant on a 12-month contract in the English Language and Literature (ELL) Department. The project ALMA (AI Learning Multimodal Assistant) explores AI-enabled feedback in oral assessment and teacher–AI collaboration.

Requirements include a computing background, chatbot development experience, and familiarity with LLMs, LangChain, and Python.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Computing and Data Sciences.
• Familiarity with large language models (LLMs), prompt engineering and API integration.
• Proficiency in Python; experience with LangChain/LangGraph and FastAPI.

Responsibilities

• Develop ALMA (AI Learning Multimodal Assistant), a speaking and listening AI assistant.
• Test, evaluate and refine the system with students and teachers based on user feedback and study needs.
• Liaise with students, teachers and team members to coordinate study activities and gather feedback.
• Prepare technical documentation and support deployment of ALMA in classroom and research settings.
• Analyze the research data from the study.
• Contribute to dissemination of research findings via literature reviews and publications.

Skills

Chatbot development

Generative AI

Python

API integration

LangChain

LangGraph

FastAPI

Office tools

Education

BSc in Computing & Data Sciences

Job description

The National Institute of Education invites suitable applications for the position of Research Assistant on a 12-month contract at the English Language and Literature (ELL) Department.

Project Title

Enhancing Teacher–AI Collaboration with ALMA (AI Learning Multimodal Assistant)

Project Introduction

ALMA (AI Learning Multimodal Assistant) is a video-based assistant with an interactive avatar that listens and speaks with students as they practice their presentations. It is grounded in Learning-as-Design and social semiotic perspectives on assessment. It analyses students' speech, gesture, gaze, facial expression, visuals and text to give real-time formative feedback, and it engages them in dialogue to assess their understanding. ALMA responds to generative AI undermining written assessment, which has increased the need for authentic, process-sensitive alternatives. Oral assessment provides richer evidence of learning but is hard to scale. ALMA makes it more feasible by giving consistent, personalised and diagnostic feedback on features often overlooked, such as pacing, fluency, body language and how well slides match speech. Teachers keep the final judgement and pedagogical decisions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computing and Data Sciences
• Skilled in development of chatbots
• Interest in Generative AI and Learning
• Familiarity with large language models (LLMs), prompt engineering and API integration.
• Proficiency in Python; experience with frameworks such as LangChain/LangGraph and FastAPI.
• Familiarity with Office Tools (PowerPoint, Excel) Experience in academic research, such as conducting literature reviews, collecting and analysing data, and contributing to research papers or reports

Responsibilities

• Develop ALMA (AI Learning Multimodal Assistant), a speaking and listening AI assistant
• Test, evaluate and refine the system with students and teachers based on user feedback and study needs.
• Liaise with students, teachers and team members to coordinate study activities and gather feedback
• Prepare technical documentation and support deployment of ALMA in classroom and research settings
• Analyze the research data from the study.
• Contribute to the dissemination of research findings: conduct literature reviews, prepare academic publications (e.g., conference presentation, paper, book) and research reports
• Perform other tasks as required by the Principal Investigators

Closing Date Closing date for advertisements will be set to 14 calendar days from date of posting.

Hiring Institution: NIE A research-intensive public university, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has 33,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students in the Engineering, Business, Science, Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences, and Graduate colleges. It also has a medical school, the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, established jointly with Imperial College London. NTU is also home to world-class autonomous institutes – the National Institute of Education, S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Earth Observatory of Singapore, and Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering – and various leading research centres such as the Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI) and Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N). Ranked amongst the world’s top universities by QS, NTU has also been named the world’s top young university for the past seven years. The University’s main campus is frequently listed among the Top 15 most beautiful university campuses in the world and has 57 Green Mark-certified (equivalent to LEED-certified) buildings, of which 95% are certified Green Mark Platinum. Apart from its main campus, NTU also has a campus in Novena, Singapore’s healthcare district. Under the NTU Smart Campus vision, the University harnesses the power of digital technology and tech-enabled solutions to support better learning and living experiences, the discovery of new knowledge, and the sustainability of resources. For more information, visit www.ntu.edu.sg About NIE About RSIS About LKCMedicine About NTUItive