Hello, writing colleagues:
As all faculty struggle to navigate what AI means to the teaching profession, I’m pleased to announce that my employer, Rice University, has created a brand-new position that will focus specifically on the intersection of AI and teaching. If you or someone you know fits the following description, I hope you will apply! (The hiring range is quite attractive, too; see the link below.) Rice’s new strategic plan, launched in Fall 2024, has "responsible AI" as a tenet, and this position is one way the university hopes to support that goal.
https://emdz.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_2001/job/5005/
Reporting to the Associate Provost for Digital Learning and Strategy, this role will co-design and manage faculty-focused innovation pilot programs, lead communications related to Rice’s AI-in-education initiatives, and build a culture of experimentation around AI-powered pedagogy. The Assistant Director will work across departments to identify promising use cases, align projects with Rice’s strategic goals, and collaborate with partners such as the Center for Teaching Excellence and Transformational Technology and Innovation.
Ideal Candidate Statement:
The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and empathetic collaborator who thrives at the intersection of educational innovation, emerging technology, and faculty engagement. They bring experience with instructional design, design thinking, and generative AI tools in academic settings. They are skilled in translating vision into pilot-ready concepts, facilitating partnerships, and guiding faculty from idea to implementation. Comfort with ambiguity and enthusiasm for cross-functional collaboration are essential.
Essential Functions:
- Manage the administration and evaluation of programs focused on AI in teaching and learning
- Support development of RFPs and pilot programs, including gathering feedback, supporting evaluation, and iterating on pilot outcomes
- Collaborate with faculty to design, test, and assess AI-enabled instructional innovations
- Maintain the university’s central AI education hub in coordination with the RDL communications team
- Partner with the marketing team to develop and implement strategies related to outreach, events, communications, development, partnerships, and fundraising/funding
- Foster a cross-campus network of faculty and staff to explore AI applications in pedagogy
- Perform all other duties as assigned
Additional Functions:
- Represent Rice Digital Learning in AI-related university events or initiatives
- Support grant writing or external partnership development aligned with innovation pilots
- May teach a course, seminar, or workshop
Jennifer Shade Wilson, PhD (she/her) Director & Senior Lecturer Program in Writing and Communication Rice University 200D Fondren Library pwc.rice.edu