AI & STEM Innovation Specialist

University of Texas; United States; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Texas at Austin seeks an AI & STEM Innovation Specialist to lead development of research-grounded instructional materials and professional learning across AI, data science, computational thinking, and STEM, connecting PK–12, postsecondary, and workforce systems.

You will collaborate with internal teams and external partners to scale innovative math and STEM initiatives and drive strategic initiatives, offering expertise in postsecondary alignment, instructional design, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mathematics, science, data science, STEM education, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• At least 5 years of postsecondary STEM education, curriculum/resource development, or related experience.
• Experience with external partners such as state agencies, postsecondary institutions, or workforce organizations.
• Experience integrating AI, data science, computational thinking, or emerging technologies into instructional materials or learning experiences.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop research-grounded instructional materials and professional learning integrating AI, data science, computational thinking, and STEM across disciplines.
• Support project planning, timelines, deliverables, and coordination to ensure high-quality outcomes.
• Contribute to business development, grant proposals, and partnerships expanding AI/STEM initiatives.
• Develop frameworks and resources aligning PK–12, postsecondary, and workforce learning pathways.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Educational innovation

Cross-team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM or related field

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

Job Posting Title: AI & STEM Innovation Specialist

Hiring Department: Charles A Dana Center

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40

FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date: Oct 13, 2026

Position Duration: Expected to Continue

Location: PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS

Job Details

General Notes Remote work possible Travel will be required

Purpose The AI & STEM Innovation Specialist advances this work with a particular focus on postsecondary and workforce alignment and collaboration with external partners. The Specialist leads the development and implementation of research-grounded learning experiences, instructional materials, frameworks, resources, and professional learning in artificial intelligence, data science, computational thinking, mathematical modeling, and place-based, transdisciplinary, and phenomenon-based teaching and learning.

Responsibilities

High-Quality Instructional Resources and Professional Learning Development

Design and develop high-quality, research-grounded instructional materials, resources, frameworks, implementation supports, and professional learning experiences that integrate artificial intelligence, data science, computational thinking, mathematical modeling, and transdisciplinary STEM that builds the capacity of educators, leaders, partner organizations, and systems to implement innovative instructional approaches and support continuous improvement. Develop phenomenon-based and place-based learning experiences that strengthen conceptual and contextual learning and help learners connect mathematics, science, literacy, data, and emerging technologies to authentic questions, challenges, and future opportunities. Develop guidance, tools, and resources that support the responsible and effective integration of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies into teaching, learning, instructional materials, and professional practice.

Project Support and Implementation

Support the successful implementation of AI and STEM innovation initiatives, including project planning, timelines, deliverables, materials development, communication, coordination, and targeted technical assistance to ensure high-quality work products and outcomes. Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to ensure projects are implemented with quality, coherence, and fidelity to project goals while remaining responsive to emerging needs and opportunities. Support the development and refinement of project strategies, implementation approaches, and tools that strengthen the Center’s capacity to scale innovative mathematics and STEM initiatives across education systems. Contribute to data collection, analysis, reporting, and continuous improvement processes that monitor implementation, assess progress, and inform future project development and scaling.

Innovative Initiative Development

Contribute to business development, grant proposals, and strategic partnerships that expand the Center’s AI and STEM innovation portfolio across PK–12, postsecondary, and workforce systems. Develop or contribute to scopes of work, project plans, timelines, budgets, and evidence-of-impact narratives that support new initiatives and funding opportunities. Identify emerging opportunities, trends, and potential partnerships that align with the Center’s strategic priorities in artificial intelligence, STEM, data science, and transdisciplinary learning. Contribute postsecondary content and expertise to marketing, communications, presentations, and informational materials that elevate the Center’s AI and STEM innovation work.

PK–12, Postsecondary, and Workforce Alignment

Contribute expertise related to postsecondary systems, structures, pathways, and reform trends to inform the design and implementation of innovative mathematics, STEM, and AI initiatives. Develop resources, frameworks, and strategies that strengthen coherence and alignment across PK–12, postsecondary education, and workforce systems and support the development of future-ready learning pathways involving AI and STEM. Collaborate with postsecondary institutions, workforce partners, industry representatives, and other stakeholders to ensure learning experiences and initiatives are relevant to evolving educational, workforce, and community needs. Help identify and advance project opportunities to connect PK–12 learning with postsecondary success, workforce preparation, and family-sustaining careers.

Field Influence and Strategic Collaboration

Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with internal and external partners to advance shared priorities and extend the reach and impact of the Center’s AI & STEM innovation work. Coordinate ongoing collaboration with key partners, including shared planning, resource development, implementation, and quality assurance processes that ensure coherence across instructional materials, professional learning, and implementation supports. Collaborate closely with colleagues across the AI & STEM Innovation team, the Building Capacity for Innovation team and other Dana Center teams to leverage expertise, strengthen cross-team connections, and produce high-quality, timely work. Represent the Center as a thought partner and contributor to the field through presentations, publications, convenings, professional networks, and other opportunities that advance the adoption, implementation, and scaling of innovative AI and STEM approaches. Contribute to organizational culture, strategic planning, and cross-team initiatives that align emerging innovation opportunities with the Center's mission, priorities, and long-term impact.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in mathematics, mathematics education, data science, data science education, science, science education, computer science, STEM education, or a related field, or equivalent combination of higher education and experience. At least 5 years of relevant professional postsecondary experience in STEM education, mathematics, science, computer science, data science, curriculum and resource development, professional learning, educational innovation, or a related field, with demonstrated experience advancing initiatives across education systems. Experience working with external partners such as state agencies, postsecondary institutions, education systems, districts, workforce or industry organizations, education organizations, or other stakeholders. Experience integrating artificial intelligence, data science, computational thinking, or other emerging technologies into instructional materials, professional learning, or educational initiatives. Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to represent the Center effectively in field-facing settings. Demonstrated ability to facilitate professional learning, convenings, or collaborative processes for a wide variety of audiences. Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, work collaboratively across a team and contexts, and consistently meet deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree or higher in a STEM field, STEM education, mathematics education, higher education leadership, data science, computer science, or a related field. Experience with postsecondary mathematics pathways, STEM education reform, and place-based, phenomenon-based, and transdisciplinary teaching and learning. Experience leading or managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects or initiatives, including the ability to develop and manage timelines, deliverables, communications, and implementation activities in a fast-paced environment. Demonstrated experience designing and implementing high-quality instructional resources, learning experiences, frameworks, or professional learning grounded in research and effective teaching and learning practices. Strong understanding of pedagogy and adult learning (andragogy) and the application of these principles to professional learning and instructional design. Experience facilitating professional networks, communities of practice, convenings, or cross-sector collaborations. Demonstrated expertise in AI, emerging technologies, data science, computational thinking, or related areas, including the ability to thoughtfully integrate emerging technologies into learning experiences to strengthen critical thinking, reasoning, creative problem solving, learner engagement, and learner-centered instructional design. Understanding of the connections among PK–12, postsecondary, and workforce systems, with the ability to apply this understanding to the design of relevant and future-focused learning pathways. Demonstrated ability to use research, data, and evaluation evidence to inform design, implementation, and continuous improvement. Experience advancing policies, practices, and system-level strategies that promote innovation and alignment across PK–12, postsecondary, and workforce systems. Experience collaborating with workforce, industry, or community partners to connect education and learning to career readiness and emerging workforce needs. Familiarity with national systems change initiatives in STEM and workforce and ideas related to the economy and future of work.

Salary Range

$90,000 - $105,000

Working Conditions

May work around standard office conditions

Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation

Use of manual dexterity

Travel will be required

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I‑9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following: E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031. The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.

Start Here, Change the World At The University of Texas at Austin, tradition meets innovation in the heart of a city that frequents lists of the best places to live and work. Named by Forbes as one of America's Best Large Employers for the sixth year in a row in 2025, UT offers both a dynamic work environment and a gateway to vibrant local culture. Whether you're at the forefront of the student experience, conducting world-changing research or supporting the engine that drives Texas’ flagship university, working at UT means making a lasting impact on our city, our state and our world. Our more than 20,000 faculty and staff empower 55,000+ students to challenge ideas, pursue passions and shape their futures. Joining UT, you’ll become part of a community dedicated to making a meaningful impact on campus and throughout the world. Looking for a student job? Please see our Student Employment site.

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