Job Details

Research Scientist (postdoctoral) in AI for Education & Professional Learning Lead

Position Number: 7004773
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Education - Instructional Technology & Design

Research Scientist (postdoctoral) in AI for Education & Professional Learning Lead

Requisition Number: 70601
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: Research Faculty
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 30-Apr-2026
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The NSF Institute for Student-AI Teaming at the University of Colorado Boulder anticipates hiring a full-time Postdoctoral Researcher in AI for Education and Professional Learning Lead to support the professional learning and implementation of our AI-enhanced curriculum units based on the Open SciEd instructional model known as the storyline approach (openscied.org/why-openscied/instructional-model/).

In this position, you will facilitate professional learning and provide implementation coaching to help teachers understand and use (1) AI literacy goals; (2) storyline pedagogy and its key routines and discussion types; (3) all relevant AI technologies for units; and (4) modes of assessments. During workshops, you will model storyline pedagogies and routines and provide teachers with principled adaptation guidance to maintain storyline coherence while adjusting materials to their contexts. In addition to facilitating workshops, you will establish support structures and protocols to provide teachers with implementation coaching at multiple timepoints such as pre-lesson, during lesson, post-lesson, and/or just-in-time. Finally, in addition to supporting the training and implementation of iSAT curriculum units, you will also support research functions through coordinating with members of the Research Operations team to collect data from workshops and classroom implementations and support iSAT research activities through data analysis, publications, and presentations. This position is ideal for a recent PhD graduate interested in the design, implementation, and research of AI technologies and AI-enhanced curricula for education.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The NSF Institute for Student-AI Teaming (iSAT, www.isat.ai) is a leading interdisciplinary research center focused on developing the latest artificial intelligence (AI) curricula and technologies for education. iSAT aims to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing education today: How can one teacher create a collaborative classroom for all students?

iSAT is housed in the Institute of Cognitive Science (ICS; www.colorado.edu/ics), whose mission is to enhance human cognition, learning, and development through the creation of interdisciplinary partnerships. ICS fosters rich scientific interchange across researchers from a broad range of fields including Artificial Intelligence, Linguistics, Psychology, Neuroscience, Computer Science, Philosophy, and Education.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Developing Knowledge of Unit Content

Develop a basic understanding of key concepts in AI that are part of OECD's (2025) Empowering learners for the age of AI: An AI literacy framework for primary and secondary education, which are taught in each of the units.
Develop knowledge of the storylines and key lessons of the units.

Professional Learning Workshop Facilitation

Coordinate with district leads to organize workshops (e.g., scheduling).
Develop and prepare materials for in-person workshops.
Serve as the main point-of-contact for teachers and the liaison with iSAT team members.
Maintain consistent and timely communications with teachers.
Lead in-person workshops (summer, during school, after-school).
Develop and facilitate remote versions of these workshops.
Develop other materials and resources that can help facilitate the scaling of our AI-enhanced curriculum units and support structures.

Implementation Coaching

Develop and maintain pre, during, post-implementation support structures so that teachers implementing iSAT's curriculum units are well-prepared.
Occasionally provide in-class support in the form of co-teaching, question answering, observing and/or taking field notes (for research purposes as appropriate).
Provide timely updates to teachers regarding curriculum and technology changes and ensure teacher preparedness.
In addition to supporting tactical aspects of implementation, support teachers' growth through reflection on their practices.

Support and Contribute to iSAT's Research

Ensure timely coordination and communication with the Research Operations team so that they can support any associated research activities.
Participate and contribute to research activities through activities such as data analysis, authoring papers, presenting at conferences, etc.

What You Should Know

This is a 1 to 3 year grant-funded position. Initial contract is for one year pending a six-month probationary period.
Contract is renewable annually based on performance and availability of funds.
Preferred start date is May 2026.
Hybrid work schedule, and the candidate must be located in the Boulder/Denver Metro area.

What We Can Offer

Salary ranges from $65,000 to $70,000 based on experience and qualifications.
Up to $2500 in relocation assistance.
This position is eligible for medical, dental, life insurance, and retirement benefits programs, and is eligible for monthly vacation and sick leave accruals.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be groundbreaking. Be Boulder.

What We Require

PhD in education, learning sciences, or a related field.
Experience facilitating adult professional learning workshops.
Knowledge of storylines instructional model.
Extensive classroom teaching experience.

What You Will Need

Demonstrated facilitation discussion skills and expertise.
Experience modeling classroom discourse routines with adults.
Interest in developing AI literacy knowledge and materials.
Demonstrated strong communication, interpersonal, organizational and project management skills.
Customer-service oriented approach for managing a range of internal and external stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently to move projects forward in ambiguous or evolving contexts.
Demonstrated willingness to roll up one's sleeves to get the job done.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

Curriculum vitae
Cover letter
Representative publication(s) (as one pdf)

If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version as an optional attachment.
Please apply by 4/30/26 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Research-Scientist-postdoctoral-in-AI-for-Education-Professional-Learning-Lead/70601