Cornell University’s Department of Information Science invites applications for an Assistant Research Professor position in the area of learning sciences, education technology, and AI in education. This is a research-focused faculty position for a scholar prepared to lead an independent and externally funded research program in close collaboration with Cornell faculty, students, and research partners.

The successful candidate will be expected to develop and sustain a high-impact program of research that advances knowledge at the intersection of learning, workforce development, and technology. The position is well suited for a candidate with demonstrated experience leading collaborative research, mentoring students and trainees, publishing in strong venues, and preparing and submitting competitive grant proposals. 

The Assistant Research Professor will play a central role in shaping and growing a research portfolio that includes empirical studies, methodological innovation, and translational work with relevance to educational practice and policy. The candidate should be prepared to lead research teams consisting of postdoctoral associates, PhD students, master’s students, and undergraduate researchers, and to build the intellectual and organizational structures needed for a thriving lab-based research environment. 

Key responsibilities include:

• Develop, lead, and grow a coherent research program in learning sciences, education technology, AI in education, or a closely related area

• Establish a strategic research agenda with clear milestones, deliverables, and publication goals

• Lead and manage a research lab or research team, including coordinating day-to-day research activities and fostering a strong, collaborative research culture

• Mentor postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, and undergraduate researchers in research design, analysis, writing, and professional development

• Design and lead rigorous empirical studies, including experimental, quasi-experimental, observational, and mixed-methods research as appropriate

• Publish research findings in leading journals and conferences in learning sciences, education, information science, HCI, AI in education, or related fields

• Prepare, write, and submit competitive grant proposals to federal agencies, foundations, and other external sponsors

• Contribute to the development of multi-investigator and cross-institutional grant proposals

• Build and maintain research collaborations within Cornell and with external academic, nonprofit, school, industry, and public-sector partners

• Translate research findings into broadly useful tools, frameworks, datasets, or practical guidance where appropriate

• Represent the research program at major conferences, workshops, and other scholarly and professional venues

• Support the long-term growth and visibility of Cornell’s research in learning, technology, and AI

Some travel may be required for this position. 

Qualifications

Candidates must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent degree by August 2025 in Information Science, Learning Sciences, Education, Computer Science, Psychology, or a related field. We seek candidates with a strong record of scholarly achievement and clear evidence of research leadership. Particularly valued are candidates who can demonstrate:

• experience leading a research lab, group, or major collaborative research effort

• experience mentoring graduate and undergraduate researchers

• a strong publication record

• experience writing, preparing, and submitting grant proposals

• the capacity to build and sustain an ambitious research program with external funding potential

Candidates should submit a 1-page 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, future research agenda, experience leading collaborative research, mentoring philosophy, and plans for developing a successful externally funded research program. 

The above application materials should be submitted online at https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/31866">https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/31866. 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, Associate Professor of Information Science, at kizilcec@cornell.edu.

Consistent with Cornell’s practice, appointment to academic positions requires candidates to disclose relevant information about their prior employment including whether they have been found to have violated institutional or employer policies related to or governing unlawful discrimination and harassment, academic and research misconduct, or financial misconduct.

 Pay Ranges: $58,300 - $152,000

 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 (faculty pay ranges reflect 9-month annual salary)

• Unique applicable skills

Cornell University seeks to meet the needs of dual career couples, has a Dual Career program, and is a member of the Upstate New York Higher Education Recruitment Consortium to assist with dual career searches including positions available in higher education in the upstate New York area.