Postdoctoral Scholar - Hastings Initiative for AI and Humanity

Postdoctoral Scholar - Hastings Initiative for AI and Humanity

Bowdoin College invites applications for a Hastings Initiative Postdoctoral Scholar beginning September 1, 2026 as part of the Hastings Initiative for AI and Humanity. This position offers a unique opportunity for scholars working at the intersection of artificial intelligence and the liberal arts to shape the future of AI engagement in higher education. The appointment will be for two years. The ideal candidates will have a demonstrated commitment to integrating AI in their scholarship and instruction and may come from any discipline.

A PhD is expected prior to the start date.

The Postdoctoral Scholar will serve as one of the Initiative's AI specialists, helping to shape the College's approach to AI integration while maintaining its liberal arts values.

Responsibilities include:

collaborating with and supporting Bowdoin faculty in integrating AI tools and methodologies into their teaching and research; offering one-on-one consultations, which may develop into longer-term research collaborations, including substantive and potentially coauthored scholarship; envisioning, planning, and running workshops and symposia with support from the Hastings Advisory Committee and Post-baccalaureate Fellows in AI and Humanity; teaching in the planned workshops; actively promoting the ethical use of AI beyond the Bowdoin community through scholarly output and activities, including participation in conferences, workshops, and other outreach initiatives;

working with the Hastings Advisory Committee to further develop the Initiative; supporting the Initiative's Director in administrating the Initiative; and developing the Scholar's own research program.

Compensation for this position is expected to be $78,000-$83,000. Benefits include a variety of health insurance plans, a generous retirement plan, life and disability insurance, paid time off, paid holidays and special days off, paid parental leave, household access to many of the College's facilities including the gym and pool, free fitness and wellness classes, and more.

Education/Skills Requirements include a doctoral degree, working knowledge of all aspects of planning and deploying an AI project, strong understanding of artificial intelligence applications and methodologies, ability to apply AI to interdisciplinary research or developing AI models for interdisciplinary research, evidence of scholarly promise in one or more fields related to artificial intelligence, a commitment to cross-disciplinary collaboration, strong interpersonal and communication skills, and demonstrated interest in teaching.

Experience Requirements and/or Equivalents include practical and research experience with artificial intelligence, including using it in one's own research, excellent verbal and written communication, the facility to work with a range of AI platforms, setting up and troubleshooting AI platforms, data gathering and curation for AI-based models, and designing and implementing AI-based models applied to interdisciplinary questions/problems. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications in this posting to be considered for hire.

Standard work days and hours are based on-site at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, the standard schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. As a full-time, exempt-level role, this position is a 1.0

FTE working 40 hours/52 weeks and requires the time commitment to complete the essential duties of the position. We regret that Bowdoin College is unable to provide visa sponsorship for staff positions. Employment at Bowdoin College is contingent upon satisfactory completion of applicable background checks including but not limited to: criminal records, educational verifications, driving records (when job-related), and/or credit history (when job related).

Bowdoin embraces diversity in all forms, and the College is home to talented students, faculty and staff—with a variety of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds; religious beliefs; and gender identities, among other factors. We encourage applications from candidates committed to the support of an inclusive campus community and those who will enrich and contribute to the College's multifaceted diversity. Founded in 1794, Bowdoin has maintained its commitment to the liberal arts for well over 200 years.

Bowdoin's reputation as a preeminent liberal arts college rests on the excellence of its faculty, students, and staff; intimate size; strong sense of community; and connections to the people, history, and natural beauty of Maine. Bowdoin's campus is situated in a beautiful natural setting. Located in Brunswick, Maine, a town of approximately 20,000, the College is a short drive from the Maine coast, twenty-five miles from Portland and 120 miles from Boston.