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College Township, Pennsylvania, United States
Onsite
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.
POSITION SPECIFICS
The Department of Learning and Performance Systems in the College of Education at Penn State invites applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar in AI and the Learning Sciences. This is a full-time, one-year in-residence position at the University Park campus (remote work is not available for this role). The postdoctoral scholar will support a collaborative group of faculty conducting research at the intersection of learning sciences and artificial intelligence, with particular focus on large language models (LLMs), generative AI (GenAI), and assistive AI as tools and partners in learning, identity-development, workforce preparedness, and civic participation. The projects will be studying AI in the context of learning and use, rather than focusing solely on technical model development.
The position is grounded in a learning sciences perspective, emphasizing the design and study of learning in real-world contexts. The scholar will contribute to a portfolio of pilot studies, empirical research, scholarly publications, and grant development activities and initiatives.
Faculty areas of research interest include, but are not limited to:
AI as a partner in human learning, thinking, and problem solving
Design and study of AI-mediated learning environments and tools
Teaching and learning with AI in K–12, higher education, and informal/community settings
Equitable and ethical uses of AI in learning contexts
Learning across settings, including school-based, workplace, and informal environments
RESPONSIBILITIES
Research and Project Development
Collaborate with faculty across multiple projects to design, implement, and study AI-supported learning environments
Contribute to design-based and mixed-methods research, including qualitative and case-based studies
Support pilot studies and early-stage project development (e.g., instrument design, data collection, and analysis)
Conduct analyses of learning processes and outcomes, including interaction, discourse, and artifact-based analyses
Collaboration and Mentoring
Work across a multi-PI, interdisciplinary portfolio of projects
Mentor graduate and undergraduate students engaged in research
Participate in collaborative writing, team meetings, and research planning activities
Identify and pursue opportunities for complementary independent research aligned with the broader project portfolio
Proposal Development and Research Infrastructure
Contribute to research-practice partnerships with schools and community-based organizations
Help establish and maintain project management systems (e.g., timelines, IRB protocols, and data stewardship plans)
Support the design and development of external grant proposals
Dissemination and Translation
Lead and co-author scholarly publications, conference presentations, and grant reports
Support translation of research into design principles, tools, and guidance for educators
Contribute to outputs for both academic and practitioner audiences
QUALIFICATIONS
Required Qualifications
Ph.D. (by start date) in Learning Sciences, Education, Educational Technology, Human-Computer Interaction, or a closely related field
Demonstrated experience conducting empirical research in educational or community settings
Strong writing, collaboration, and project management skills
Evidence of scholarly productivity and ability to contribute to research dissemination
Preferred Qualifications
Interest in or experience studying AI in learning environments or pedagogical practices
Interest in learning across settings (e.g., schools, workplaces, informal or community-based environments)
Experience contributing to manuscripts for publication or grant proposal development
Ability to work effectively across multiple concurrent projects and teams
APPOINTMENT DETAILS
This is a full-time, one-year postdoctoral appointment based at Penn State’s University Park campus, with an anticipated start date in Fall 2026. The annual salary is anticipated between $63,480 and $65,000. The scholar will receive four weeks of vacation, a travel fund for conference participation, and medical insurance and other standard university benefits. The scholar will be formally supervised by the Head of the Department of Learning and Performance Systems (Dr. Heather Toomey Zimmerman) and will be integrated into a collaborative network of faculty mentors based on research alignment. To learn more about faculty research, candidates are encouraged to visit: https://ed.psu.edu/academics/departments/department-learning-and-performance-systems. The position is intended to support the scholar's development as an independent researcher alongside collaborative work with faculty. Professional development opportunities are available through Penn State’s postdoctoral community and interdisciplinary research ecosystem.
APPLICATION MATERIALS
Applicants should submit:
Cover letter describing research interests, theoretical and methodological expertise, and fit with this position
Curriculum Vitae
One representative writing sample (candidates should describe their contributions to this manuscript in the cover letter)
Names and contact information for three professional references
System limitations allow for a total of 5 documents (5MB per document) as part of your application. Please combine materials to meet the 5-document limit.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Priority consideration is given to applications received by July 26, 2026.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
BENEFITS
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being.
For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
