The National Tutoring Observatory (NTO) will be centered at Cornell’s Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science under the direction of Principal Investigator, Rene Kizilcec. The NTO will work closely with providers of tutoring services, school leaders, districts, and social scientists to create the world’s largest open-access dataset of tutoring (the Million Tutoring Moves [MTM] dataset) and open-source libraries to facilitate processing and analysis grounded in principles of Responsible AI. In addition, the NTO will be tasked with creating open data and computational resources for education researchers and developers.
The Postdoctoral Associate will participate in a cross-disciplinary research team comprised of postdoctoral associates, PhD students, and several Master’s or undergraduate students across multiple universities and organizations.
The research team will work alongside the engineering team to investigate the validity of components of the data processing workflow and effective tutoring moves using the MTM dataset; and to share innovations and best practices for investigating tutoring data and effective tutoring moves. Success will be measured by having published or contributed to papers in top venues (e.g., Nature Science of Learning, Computers and Education, ACM Learning at Scale, Educational Data Mining) and engaging education researchers and EdTech product developers through a mini-grants program. The postdoc will be expected to make meaningful contributions to these activities.
The NTO seeks applications for a postdoctoral associate who can start as early as January 2025. We will review applications on an ongoing basis and consider candidates for a later start date up to July 2025. Selected postdocs will work with their primary mentor on research at the intersection of educational data science, AI in Education, and the learning sciences, with additional advisory support from faculty and researchers in the learning sciences, computer science, machine learning, and education research.
Research Themes
The research themes identified for the NTO postdoc include, but are not limited to, the following:
Mentors include Rene Kizilcec (primary mentor; Cornell University), Ken Koedinger (Carnegie Mellon University), and Justin Reich (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). Additionally, the postdoc will receive mentoring from members of the research team and a Scientific Advisory Board of experts in the field.
Expectations
Postdocs are expected to fully integrate with the NTO’s core research team, and to actively contribute to the technical development and research and dissemination efforts of the National Tutoring Observatory. The postdoc is expected to serve as a domain expert in one of the research themes outlined above. This will involve participating in research and cross-team meetings as needed, engage in design sessions with developers and tutoring providers, and sessions with technical advisory board members, publishing in high-impact scientific journals, and attending conferences. Attendance at the annual NTO in-person team convening is also expected.
Postdoc research projects are not intended to be seed grants for projects unrelated to the work of the National Tutoring Observatory. We aim to support postdoc research for projects that are directly linked to the work of the NTO or closely related work that can be easily translated to the work of the NTO. Further, this program is meant to produce use-inspired basic and applied research with a strong AI component, driven by real-world education applications.
Faculty mentors are expected to sufficiently engage with their postdoc mentee, providing training and learning opportunities, as well as career guidance. Mentors must develop an Individual Development Plan with their selected fellow, and update the plan as needed.
This is a hybrid position with a possibility of working remotely. Some travel may be required for this role.
Application Process
Requirements and Qualifications
A major goal for the postdocs is to generate scientific research that probes and enhances the quality of the MTM dataset and components of the underlying data pipeline, and publishes these insights and applications using the MTM dataset. Successful candidates must exhibit excellence in their scientific domain, and show evidence of strong quantitative skills. While it is not required that the candidate possess a deep theoretical understanding of AI, practical proficiency in using AI will be considered in the selection process. Applicants must hold a PhD prior to their start date.
The postdoc will work directly with Cornell faculty member Rene Kizilcec in the Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science and director of the Cornell Future of Learning Lab.
Support and Benefits
Selected postdocs will be appointed as endowed employees at Cornell University.
Application Materials
Candidates must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent degree by August 2025. Candidates should submit a cover letter, a curriculum vitae (CV), a research statement, and the names and email addresses for three references who will submit letters on the candidate's behalf. The cover letter and research statement should highlight the candidate’s most significant work related to the mission of the National Tutoring Observatory (NTO), https://nationaltutoringobservatory.org/. We also ask applicants to share their experiences and/or approaches (past, current, or future) to fostering learning, research, service, and/or outreach in a diverse community. Applicants may choose to submit a stand-alone statement or embed the information in other parts of their application materials.
The above application materials should be submitted online at https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/29666. We will be reviewing applications (including reference letters) on a rolling basis, and applications will be accepted until the search has concluded. Inquiries about your application may be directed to Rene Kizilcec, Principal Investigator of the NTO and Associate Professor of Information Science, at kizilcec@cornell.edu
Pay Ranges: $61,008 - $80,000. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:
• Prior relevant work or industry experience
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
• Academic Discipline
• Unique applicable skills
Contact Name: Rene Kizilcec
Closing Date: Open until filled
Pay Range:
$61,008.00 - $87,000.00
Pay Ranges:
The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:
Employment Assistance:
For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email mycareer@cornell.edu.
If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell University's Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at equity@cornell.edu.
Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing mycareer@cornell.edu.
Notice to Applicants:
Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.
EEO Statement:
Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.
Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.
2025-01-30Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery and engagement. With our main campus located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell's far-flung global presence includes the medical college's campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, as well as the Cornell Tech campus located on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.
We offer a rich array of services, programs and benefits to help employees advance in their career and enhance the quality of personal life, including: employee wellness, workshops, childcare and adoption assistance, parental leave, flexible work options.