The University of Pittsburgh seeks exceptional candidates for one or two 2-year post-doctoral appointments jointly in the Learning Research and Development Center (LRDC) and the Center for Instructional Development and Distance Education (CIDDE). The appointments, which may be renewable, combine LRDC’s mission in learning research and development with CIDDE’s mission to support the University’s teaching, especially through the use of technology.

The persons filling these positions will work with LRDC faculty on cutting-edge research on technology-enhanced learning and with CIDDE staff on technology-related projects in instructional development and/or data management. Projects may include educational data mining from MOOCs, automatic essay scoring in the sciences, and learning science & technology innovations involving instructional design, learning analytics, educational gaming, or human-computer interactions.

CIDDE (http://www.cidde.pitt.edu) is the University’s center for the support of teaching, learning, educational technology, and assessment. It seeks innovative ways to improve instruction and supports efforts of instructors to infuse technology into their classroom teaching. CIDDE also manages large amounts of data from its online and blended courses, MOOCs, learning management system, and teaching observations. With these new positions, CIDDE strengthens its connections to learning science research applied to improvements in instruction.

LRDC (http://www.lrdc.pitt.edu) is an international leader in interdisciplinary research and development in learning and education. It draws faculty from psychology, education, and computer science, among other disciplines, to study learning in its cognitive, neural, social, and organizational aspects. (For examples of learning technology work, see http://www.lrdc.pitt.edu/researchareas/researcharea_lt.asp) In these new positions, LRDC adds to its growing work on the improvement of college learning and instruction.

Candidates must have demonstrated expertise related to technology in learning/education. Backgrounds in AI, cognitive psychology, data mining, educational technology, among others, are appropriate. Submit cover letter, CV, and letters of recommendation to Margaret Gibson at mgibson@pitt.edu. Applications that are received by April 30, 2015 are assured of being reviewed.

The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and members of under-represented minority groups are especially encouraged to apply.