Part-Time Research Assistant-Zhu

Penn State University; University Park (TX); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Penn State University’s Risk Management Department, within the Smeal College of Business, seeks a part-time instructional research assistant to support Dr. Nan Zhu on an AI-enhanced teaching project for RM 412 (Long-Term Actuarial Mathematics – Advanced Topics).

Duties include developing and testing custom AI learning agents for RM 412, preparing course-specific reference materials, and developing benchmark cases with AI-generated feedback.

Qualifications

• Familiarity with actuarial modeling and quantitative problem solving.
• Interest in generative AI applications for education.
• Completed RM 412 or an equivalent upper-level actuarial mathematics course.

Responsibilities

• Assisting with development and testing of AI learning agents for RM 412.
• Preparing and organizing course-specific reference materials for AI implementation.
• Developing benchmark cases and testing AI-generated feedback for accuracy and consistency.
• Comparing AI implementations across platforms (e.g., BoodleBox and ChatGPT Custom GPTs).
• Documenting testing results and recommending improvements to agent design and student feedback.

Skills

Actuarial modeling

Quantitative problem solving

Generative AI in education

Education

RM 412 or equivalent

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS

The Risk Management Department at the Smeal College of Business seeks to hire one individual to serve as a part-time instructional research assistant for Dr. Nan Zhu in support of an AI-enhanced teaching project for RM 412 (Long-Term Actuarial Mathematics – Advanced Topics).

Duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Assisting with the development and testing of custom AI learning agents for RM 412
• Preparing and organizing course-specific reference materials for AI implementation
• Developing benchmark cases and testing AI-generated feedback for accuracy and consistency
• Comparing AI implementations across platforms (e.g., BoodleBox and ChatGPT Custom GPTs)
• Documenting testing results and recommending improvements to agent design and student feedback

Requirements and Qualifications

• Completed RM 412 or an equivalent upper-level actuarial mathematics course
• Familiarity with actuarial modeling and quantitative problem solving
• Interest in generative AI applications for education

Background checks/clearances

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

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