Are you inspired by the possibilities and risks of using (generative) AI in higher education? Are you eager to work on AI-proof assessment? Join us in this two-year postdoc project!
The Tu/e has a vacancy for a Postdoc "using generative AI to teach academic writing".
Position (Post-doctoral) Researcher
Department(s): Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences
FTE: 0,8 - 1,0
Date off : 24/12/2023
Reference number V39.6271
Generative AI systems such as ChatGPT pose an unprecedented challenge to established structures and institutions in many different domains, including higher education. Given the novelty and untested role of generative AI in higher education, its impact has yet to be systematically explored and evaluated. For this reason, this postdoc project aims to examine the possible use and impact of generative AI systems in higher education, with a particular focus on academic writing. The findings will be directly integrated into the constructive alignment triangle of several courses at the university, thereby promoting the articulation of “future-oriented” learning objectives and “AI-proof” assessment methods for academic writing.
The project
In this two-year postdoc project, you will examine the use of generative AI for teaching academic writing in engineering education. This project consists of several work packages. First, you will be mapping the state-of-the-art of current approaches to implementing generative AI in teaching and assessment of writing in higher education. Second, together with educational support and teachers, you will design (summative and formative) assessment methods, incorporating the use of (generative) AI. This may include assessing both product and process, focusing on optimizing human-AI collaboration, assessing critical reflection on AI-generated content, etc. Finally, these methods will be tested on their ability to assess future-oriented learning objectives, taking into account both individual and task differences.
You will be embedded in the Human-Technology Interaction group and the Philosophy and Ethics group of the department of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences, and collaborate with a larger group of educational stakeholders, including teachers, course designers, and policy makers. An important aspect of this project is the focus on societal impact: you will directly implement and test your ideas within engineering courses at the TU/e and discuss the broader implications and recommendations with relevant educational stakeholders.
Job requirements
- Recently completed (or be close to the completion of) a PhD degree in Learning Analytics, Educational Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Human-Computer Interaction, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field that shows an interest in both education as well as intelligent systems such as (generative) AI.
- Demonstrable experience in conducting empirical and/or experimental research, including knowledge of quantitative data analysis and data wrangling techniques (e.g., in R, Python, ...).
- Affinity with course design and/or course delivery (e.g., UTQ, teaching experience, ...).
- Ability to closely collaborate with educational stakeholders such as teachers in engineering education, educational support, and policy makers.
- Familiarity with or interest in large language models/generative AI.
Conditions of employment
A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:
- Employment of 0,8-1 fte for 12 months initially, which can be extended for another 12 months after a mutual positive evaluation;
- Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 10 (min. €3,877 max. €5,090).
- A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
- High-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
- An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
- Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
- A TU/e Postdoc Association that helps you to build a stronger and broader academic and personal network, and offers tailored support, training and workshops.
- A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) and a compensation for moving expenses.
Information and application
About us
Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow.
Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more?
Please contact dr. Rianne Conijn, m.a.conijn[at]tue.nl or dr. Carlos Zednik, c.a.zednik[at]tue.nl.
Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact Hanneke Huijs-Palmen, HR advisor j.b.huijs.palmen[at]tue.nl.
Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.
Application
We invite you to submit a complete application using the apply-button. The application should include a:
- Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position;
- Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications. Please include at the end the names and contact details of two referees whom we may contact;
- Research plan, indicating how you would go about the research aims posed in the vacancy description (max. 750 words)
- Key relevant publication of which you are the primary author (max. 20 pages, you may also include a section from larger work)
- Optionally, course evaluations (if you have any)
We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled. The proposed start date is January 1st, 2024.
We do not respond to applications that are sent to us in a different way.