Postdoctoral Research Scientist in AI Education

Requisition Number: 71963

Location: Boulder, Colorado

Employment Type: Research Faculty

Schedule: Full Time

Posting Close Date: 01-Jul-2026

The Institute of Cognitive Science at the University of Colorado Boulder is seeking a full-time Postdoctoral Researcher in AI for Education. This role focuses on investigating how AI technologies, co‑designed with students and practitioners and deployed in real‑world educational settings, can improve educator and student outcomes.

This work will be conducted within a vibrant, world‑class research and development environment, collaborating with a team of researchers in Computer Science, Cognitive Science, and Education, as well as designers, developers, and partner educational service providers.

We are housed in the Institute of Cognitive Science (ICS), dedicated to enhancing human cognition, learning, and development through interdisciplinary partnerships. IS offers research centers such as the NSF National AI Institute for Student‑AI Teaming and the Hybrid Human‑Agent Tutoring Technology.

• Lead the design, development, testing, and evaluation of conversational AI technologies for classrooms.
• Coordinate with internal development teams to ensure conversational AI tools are usable, valuable, and scalable within real classrooms and educational contexts.
• Support educators in testing new and existing versions of AI tools and technologies in classrooms.
• Lead research dissemination activities, including data analysis and paper authorship.

• This is a 1 to 3‑year grant‑funded position, with an initial one‑year contract pending a six‑month probationary period.
• The contract is renewable annually based on performance and funding availability.
• The desired start date is September 1, 2026.
• This is a hybrid position, but the candidate must be located in the Denver Metro area.

• Salary range: $65,000 – $85,000, based on experience and qualifications.
• Up to $2,500 in relocation assistance.
• Eligibility for medical, dental, life insurance, and retirement benefits programs.
• Eligibility for monthly vacation and sick leave accruals.

• Medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for employees and dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit.
• Access to a supportive academic community and world‑class outdoor recreation opportunities.

• PhD in computer science, human‑computer interaction, or a related field.
• Multiple first‑author publications in key AIED publication venues (AIED, EDM, LAK, CHI, CSCW, Cognitive Science).
• Experience working with conversational AI technologies that support collaborative learning in classrooms.
• Experience working as part of an interdisciplinary research project involving technology developers, computer scientists, curriculum developers, and educators.

• A strong theoretical background in the learning sciences and the cognitive science of learning.
• Demonstrated strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently to advance projects in ambiguous or evolving contexts.
• Demonstrated willingness to actively contribute to project success.

Final date to receive applications: July 1, 2026.

The University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, pregnancy, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.