Postdoctoral Associate for AI Education in the Disciplines

Cornell University; City of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 62,000 - 89,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits

Moving expenses

Research allowance

Job summary

Cornell University in Ithaca, NY invites applications for Postdoctoral Associates for AI Education in the Disciplines. The roles support curricular and pedagogical research across disciplines, collaborating with faculty to design and assess AI-enabled teaching strategies. Positions are full-time, non-tenure track, starting between January and June 2027.

Applicants with a Ph.D. in education research or related fields are preferred; experience with AI tools is a plus.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in education research preferred; disciplinary PhD with strong education research engagement also considered.
• Demonstrated ability to teach or design curricular innovations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to present research.
• Experience with AI tools and AI literacy is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with faculty teams to develop and implement AI-responsive teaching strategies.
• Collect and analyze data using quantitative and qualitative methods (surveys, interviews, observations).
• Contribute to department and college-wide discussions on AI in education.
• Participate actively in a cohort of postdoctoral associates.
• Prepare research reports, scholarly publications and presentations.

Skills

Quantitative reasoning

Qualitative research

Education research

Excellent communication

Education

PhD in education research

Disciplinary PhD with education interest

Tools

AI tools experience

Data analysis

Job description

Postdoctoral Associate for AI Education in the Disciplines

Applications are invited for 6-10 postdoctoral associates to begin between January and June, 2027. These positions will initially be appointed for one year, with an option to extend for an additional year, contingent upon available funding resources, available work and the candidate’s successful performance. Our hope is to find candidates who are interested in continuing beyond the initial year as part of an ambitious plan to design thoughtful, disciplinary-specific curricular and pedagogical responses to Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education. As part of Cornell’s wider AI and Education strategy, focused on balanced, pluralistic, evidence-based experimentation, the College AI Integration postdocs will work closely with the Center for Teaching Innovation and educational researchers across the university to support targeted pilots of AI across the curriculum. This will involve working with teams of faculty instructors to design, implement, and assess the impact of innovations in a range of disciplines.

The successful candidates will work closely with faculty teams from one or two of Cornell’s undergraduate and professional colleges on projects focused on curricular and pedagogical responses to AI, adapting or developing teaching strategies and curriculum to account for AI. The postdoctoral associates will work closely with a wider cohort of researchers to produce both individual department studies and broader comparative findings. The postdoctoral associates will provide support for the development of an assessment plan, project implementation, and coordination across courses, and will lead/implement course-level research on educational outcomes.

Responsibilities include:

• Work collaboratively with faculty teams on developing and implementing educational change and instructional approaches in response to AI.
• Collect and analyze data using quantitative and qualitative research methods, such as surveys, interviews, and observations.
• Contribute to and support department and college-wide discussions of best practices in AI and education.
• Actively participate in a cohort of postdoctoral associates
• Contribute to the preparation of research reports, scholarly publications and presentations.
• Present research findings at conferences and seminars.

Required Qualifications: We will consider applicants with a Ph.D. in any discipline. A Ph.D. in education research or in a closely related field is preferred, though a disciplinary Ph.D. and substantial interest and engagement in educational research will be considered. Applicants should have a demonstrated commitment to teaching innovation, along with a willingness to learn in a rapidly changing AI landscape.

Expertise in the use and creative application of AI tools is beneficial, but not required.

Applicants who expect to complete all requirements for the Ph.D. degree (including filing the dissertation) before January 1, 2027 are eligible to apply. The completion date for the Ph.D. degree cannot be waived or extended.

Preferred qualifications include the following:

• Ph.D. in education research, or closely related field, or a disciplinary PhD and substantial interest and engagement in educational research
• Demonstrated experience in quantitative and/or qualitative research methods.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Experience with AI tools and AI literacy

This a full-time, non-tenure track benefits eligible term opportunity located in Ithaca, NY on the campus of Cornell University. The starting salary is $65,000 per year, plus benefits, moving expenses, and up to $2,000 per year in research allowance.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in US without sponsorship. Employment will end upon the expiration of work authorization in the US. Continued employment in this position is subject to eligibility to work in accordance with US immigration laws.

Pay Range:

$62,232.00 - $88,745.00

Pay Ranges:

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience.
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.
• Academic Discipline
• Unique applicable skills.

About Us

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery and engagement. With our main campus located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell's far-flung global presence includes the medical college's campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, as well as the Cornell Tech campus located on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.

We offer a rich array of services, programs and benefits to help employees advance in their career and enhance the quality of personal life, including: employee wellness, workshops, childcare and adoption assistance, parental leave, flexible work options.

Cornellwelcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeksjob candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. Wehire based on merit, andencourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.