Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor of Learning Sciences – RISE-AI; Artificial Intelligence

Professor Position

The University of Wisconsin - Madison Department of Educational Psychology, Learning Sciences Program Area, seeks an outstanding candidate for an open-rank tenure-track faculty position (Advanced Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor preferred). We are seeking applicants whose work is at the intersection of Learning Sciences and Artificial Intelligence. Desirable applicants should be able to (a) demonstrate a strong portfolio of research in the Learning Sciences and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education, broadly construed, (b) publish research in high-quality refereed journals and conference proceedings, (c) provide exemplary graduate student training, and (d) teach courses within our Learning Sciences program.

Work with Generative AI, Large Language Models, multimodal models, agentic systems, and human-AI interaction is preferred.

We are seeking applicants whose research, training, and teaching integrates artificial intelligence and the Learning Sciences as described in one (or both) of the following tracks:

• Scholarship focused on innovations in artificial intelligence in the context of theories and methods of the Learning Sciences.
• Scholarship centered in the Learning Sciences that uses state-of-the-art artificial intelligence.

Areas of specific interest across these tracks include but are not limited to:

• Designing and empirically investigating ways of promoting learning, teaching, and/or assessment based on innovative uses of AI in formal educational settings, such as classrooms, as well as those occurring in informal learning settings
• Developing, applying, testing, and refining AI models to examine and expand our understanding of learning processes
• Investigating innovative uses of AI for designing and empirically investigating ways to facilitate collaborative learning and Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) research
• Advancing understanding of the science of learning and augmented intelligence regarding how human reasoning, decision-making, learning, and other cognitive processes can be enhanced through human-AI interactions
• Developing, applying, testing, refining, and/or expanding current research methods, tools, learning environment designs, or practices in the Learning Sciences through the use of AI, including those that address the multimodal, collaborative, and distributed nature of human reasoning and communication
• Empirical investigations of factors that influence learning with AI or trust in AI, such as ethical and societal implications of AI in learning and education, including bias, data privacy, and educational disparities

The candidate selected for this position will serve as a faculty member in the Learning Sciences program area in the Department of Educational Psychology. The Department provides a stimulating and supportive environment for research, teaching, and programmatic funding with a strong value on collaborative and interdisciplinary research. The department prioritizes cultivating a thriving community that is welcoming, supportive, and respectful. Tenured and tenure-track faculty at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Education conduct research, teach courses, mentor students, and contribute to school, university, community, and professional activities through academic citizenship, service, and leadership.

Applicants who can contribute to these priorities are encouraged to identify their strengths and experiences in these areas in their cover letter, research statement, and/or teaching statement.

UW-Madison is recognized consistently as one of the world's leading universities. Additionally, Madison, Wisconsin, a city of more than 250,000, has been named on top-10 lists for tech growth centers, and consistently ranks as one of the most livable cities in the United States.

This position is part of the UW-Madison campus wide, Wisconsin Research, Innovation and Scholarly Excellence (RISE) Initiative, specifically RISE-AI. Through accelerated and strategic faculty hiring, research infrastructure enhancement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and increased student and educational opportunities, RISE addresses complex societal challenges of importance to the state, nation and world. Building on UW-Madison's strengths, RISE expands the University's successful track record of connecting with communities and industry on collaborative solutions.

RISE-AI will strengthen the university's ability to address challenges and opportunities in artificial intelligence, translating discoveries into tangible benefits at home in Wisconsin and beyond. In total, the RISE-AI hiring initiative aims to add four new faculty members at all ranks to this existing AI community in the School of Education at UW-Madison. The candidate selected for this position will have opportunities to participate in interdisciplinary and collaborative efforts with RISE-AI faculty in other departments, schools, and colleges.

Starting in 2024, UW-Madison has committed to substantially increasing…