Post Doctoral Fellow- Learning Technologies and Augmented Reality

Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Carnegie Mellon University is seeking a postdoctoral researcher in the HCI Institute to work on innovative educational technology projects. The successful candidate will collaborate on a project utilizing intelligent tutoring systems and Generative AI to enhance K-12 education.

The postdoc will engage in both applied research and tool development, addressing challenges teachers face in blended classrooms, and contribute to a deeper understanding of AI in educational contexts.

Minimum qualifications include a PhD in a relevant field, with preferred experience in K-12 research and AR/VR applications.

Qualifications

• PhD in learning technologies, human-computer interaction, educational data science, or a related field.
• Experience with K-12 classroom research.
• Experience designing, developing, and evaluating AR/VR applications.

Responsibilities

• Work on educational technology research and development.
• Implement and evaluate intelligent tutoring systems in classrooms.
• Research how Generative AI can enhance educational technology authoring.

Skills

Experience in implementing educational technology

Conducting educational technology research

Strong publications record

Good communication skills

Teamwork skills

Education

PhD in learning technologies or related field

Tools

AR/VR application development

Interactive web application development

AI application in education

Job description

Carnegie Mellon University: School of Computer Science: HCII

Location

Pittsburgh, PA

Open Date

May 28, 2026

Description

We are looking for a postdoc who will work under the guidance of Prof. Vincent Aleven in the HCI Institute, on two sponsored projects, one with additional guidance provided by Dr. Steve Ritter at Carnegie Learning Inc., a Pittsburgh-based company.

First, the postdoc will work on an IES-funded project, in which researchers from Carnegie Mellon University and Carnegie Learning, Inc. jointly address challenges teachers face in the context of mathematics learning in blended middle school classes that use intelligent tutoring software (ITS). As a next step in this project, we will run a classroom study in middle schools to rigorously evaluate whether and how adding decision support (a recommender system) to an analytics-based mixed-reality teacher support tool ("teacher smart glasses") affects teachers and students. The project will produce a new teacher orchestration tool, Lumilo 2, running on mixed-reality devices (smart glasses) so teachers can keep their eye on the class. The project will produce new scientific insight into how real-time analytics-based tools affect teacher help and, in turn, student learning. The project may lead to a more personalized K-12 math classroom.

In a second project, funded by the NSF, we are investigating how to address the challenge that intelligent tutoring software (ITS), although often effective in enhancing student learning, is not easy to build. Specifically, we focus on how Generative AI can be used to dramatically speed up the more laborious part of ITS authoring, namely, the creation of a domain model, either in the form of a behavior graph or a rule-based model of problem-solving knowledge. We explore these issues within the context of the CTAT authoring tool. The project will contribute to a better understanding of how LLMs can be used, with a human in the loop, to generate appealing educational content that is effective for all students. It will contribute to a better understanding of whether and how LLMs are capable of modeling and representing procedural knowledge in a transparent, symbolic, and human-readable format for instructional purposes. More efficient, affordable authoring will likely contribute to the spread of ITSs – so that, eventually, many more students will be able to take advantage of this highly effective technology.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications: PhD in learning technologies, human-computer interaction, educational data science, or a related field. Experience in implementing educational technology and conducting educational technology research.

Preferred classifications: Experience with K-12 classroom research. Experience with designing, developing, and evaluating AR/VR applications. Experience in developing interactive web applications. Experience with applying AI to educational challenges. Strong publications record. Good communication and teamwork skills.

Application Instructions

Applications should include a cover letter describing qualifications, a CV and contact information for 3 references. Please direct questions and interest in the position to [e-mail]

Application Process

This institution is using Interfolio's Faculty Search to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation, free of charge.

Carnegie Mellon University is an equal opportunity employer. It does not discriminate in admission, employment, or administration of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or related condition, family status, marital status, parental status, religion, ancestry, veteran status, or genetic information. Furthermore, Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate and is required not to discriminate in violation of federal, state, or local laws or executive orders.