Postdoctoral Scholar - Hastings Initiative 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, knowledge of core areas of modern AI systems, 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, designing and implementing AI-based models applied to interdisciplinary questions/problems, working adeptly in collaborative relationships with a variety of Bowdoin students, staff members, and faculty, quickly adapting as AI continues to change, collaborating with non-technical faculty and explaining complex AI concepts in accessible terms, interest and/or background in AI ethics, fairness, bias, or societal implications of AI, and building and creating inclusive and collaborative communities around AI.

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…