Research Scientist for A Machine Learning/LLM Role with the ASSISTments Project

JOB TITLE

Research Scientist for A Machine Learning/LLM Role with the ASSISTments Project

LOCATION

Worcester

DEPARTMENT NAME

Computer Science - NFR JM

DIVISION NAME

Worcester Polytechnic Institute - WPI

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

Thanks to several new funding sources from the Institute of Education Sciences, National Science Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Education, the E-TRIALS Project (https://www.etrialstestbed.org/) at WPI is able to fund a full-time post-doctoral position. The position will support and advance research across dozens of funded projects with Dr. Neil Heffernan (https://www.neilheffernan.net/).

In addition to research, the position will be expected to actively learn and assist in grant writing. Because WPI's policy restricts postdocs from serving as Co-PIs, Dr. Heffernan hires postdocs with the "Research Scientist" title so he can list these individuals as Co-PIs for NSF proposals. This experience will give you a competitive advantage on the job market; the last three postdocs in this role had one or more funded NSF proposals on their CV when they moved on from WPI.

If you have questions, please send them to akao@wpi.edu. Formal applications must be submitted via WPI and will be reviewed on a rolling basis until filled.

JOB DESCRIPTION

In 2003, Professor Neil Heffernan and Cristina Heffernan created ASSISTments, a free online math homework platform. In 2019 the husband-wife team formed The ASSISTments Foundation (TAF), a non-profit to scale-up ASSISTments. Today, Neil Heffernan directs AI research via the platform with his lab at WPI, while Cristina Heffernan is the Executive Director of the non-profit organization (which employs 23 people including teacher-trainers and software engineers). This research position is based at WPI, but will closely communicate and coordinate with those at TAF. All grant funding is based on a strong partnership between WPI and TAF. 

ASSISTments platform itself is a responsive online learning platform that is teacher-paced and evidence-based. ASSISTments is unique in that it supports teachers and students while also supporting researchers who seek to understand pedagogy and learning. The system is one of few available K-12 math tools proven effective through rigorous randomized controlled research.

The ASSISTments Project at WPI is a collaborative one that leverages ASSISTments to support researchers to create and test interventions to better help students. New infrastructure (i.e., software features), funded by IES, NSF, the U.S. Dept of Education, and various philanthropy, is being developed to reduce the cost and increase the volume of studies conducted by educational researchers using ASSISTments.

The primary responsibilities of this role will include the following:
1. Depending upon your skill-set, manage the machine-learning infrastructure that is behind ASSISTments. Some experience with machine learning, reinforcement learning and/or natural language processing/LLM is required.
2. Learn and hone your grant-writing skills with Dr. Neil Heffernan as he endeavors to increase funding for related projects;
3. Work with Dr. Heffernan's PhD students and their masters and undergraduate teams in building out the infrastructure.

Requirements:
● A PhD in fields of computer science, information sciences, or data science or a related field.
● Driven to work with small teams in a start-up environment. Strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to target communication to various audiences, including university academics, industry professionals, and teacher users of ASSISTments.
● Experience coordinating cross-team projects, managing timelines and stakeholders, and strategizing creative solutions towards clear goals with exceptional attention to detail.
● Proactive, thoughtful, and entrepreneurial work style on both highly independent and team projects.
● Experience with the Google suite of office products.
● Experience with databases such as AirTable or GoogleSheets (spreadsheets).

Preferred Qualifications:
● Experience in K-12 education organizations preferred.
● Experience in working in a team. The ASSISTments Project is a fast growing start up (and experience in working in teams is preferred.

FLSA STATUS

United States of America (Exempt)

WPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer that actively seeks to increase the diversity of its workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. It seeks individuals with​ diverse backgrounds and experiences who will contribute to a culture of creativity, collaboration, inclusion, problem solving, innovation, high performance, and change making. It is committed to maintaining a campus environment free of harassment and discrimination.