Assistant Research Scientist

University of Florida • Gainesville, FL

4d

About The Position

The University of Florida seeks an assistant research scientist (12-month, non-tenure track faculty appointment in the Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies to work closely with project investigators to advance new and ongoing research enterprises within the vision of the Early Childhood Studies Advanced Technology Lab. We propose to create a central hub that brings together the best and brightest to capitalize on technologies such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, natural language processing algorithms, and personalized learning systems to enhance the experiences that shape young children’s learning and development in their most formative years from birth to age 5. The assistant research scientist is expected to play an integral role in current extramural awards, while collaborating with Center investigators and affiliated faculty/staff to build a portfolio of independent and collaborative research focused on incorporating advanced technologies to develop personalized learning systems for early childhood coaches and practitioners. The Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies is a transdisciplinary center of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to translating science to action through innovative research, professional development, and community partnerships that support all young children from birth to age eight and their families. This position is time-limited, with initial funding for a two-year appointment. Continued employment is possible with extramural funding secured individually or as part of collaborative research.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or Computer Engineering, or a Ph.D. in or related to Education with equivalent experience
• Ability to conduct speech processing on recordings from natural language environments (home, school, community), with a focus on young children, caregivers, and practitioners
• Technical expertise in natural language processing/large language models, including study design, data collection and processing, data analysis, and result interpretation
• Demonstrated research in personalized learning systems, adaptive learning, or related educational technology domains
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills, ability, and experience authoring scientific journal publications and/or technical reports
• Demonstrated experience contributing to the writing of research proposals
• Ability to be calm, creative, flexible, and prudent in ambiguous, challenging circumstances, and work independently

Nice To Haves

• Experience developing and evaluating innovative technologies for behavioral assessment and/or intervention
• Evidence of funded research (e.g., fellowships, government agencies, industry sponsors, and/or non-profit organizations)
• Interest, ability, and experience in the design and execution of collaborative transdisciplinary research
• Experience with research development and management in settings for children aged birth to eight years

Responsibilities

• establishing and advancing their own portfolio of extramurally-funded research in collaboration with Center faculty, staff, and students
• supporting existing grants and dissemination efforts

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees