Position Summary:

This position is responsible for leading the work of the Center for AI, including hands-on learning experiences for students, faculty, and staff focused on AI capabilities and applications, nurturing research and curricular connections to AI, and prototyping future technologies. The position reports to the Director of Experiential Learning.

The internationally recognized Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) develops creative, ethical leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.  As a teaching and learning laboratory created by the State of Illinois, IMSA enrolls academically talented Illinois students (grades 10–12) in its advanced, residential college preparatory program. It also serves thousands of educators and students in Illinois and beyond through innovative instructional programs that foster imagination and inquiry.

The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive teaching and learning environment. IMSA has committed to advancing equity in STEM education and representation and creating a diverse, inclusive community of global citizens who can realize their full potential, and execute our mission to advance the human condition.

This Equity and Excellence work is the intentional integration of Cultural Competence, Diversity, Equity, Equity-Minded Frame, Excellence, and Inclusion into every facet of the Academy, with the understanding that it is an active and ongoing process involving structures, processes, and people and not an isolated initiative.

This position will support IMSA's Diversity work by ensuring the delivery of quality, equitable, and inclusive constituent-centered support while promoting and maintaining an inclusive work environment and culture that embraces the diversity of people and perspectives collaborating at IMSA to ignite and nurture creative, ethical, scientific minds that advance the human condition.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Lead the development and delivery of the Center for AI’s programming for students, staff, and faculty, including student research mentoring and providing AI learning opportunities focused on AI capabilities and applications.
• Serve as an AI research mentor in residence, guiding faculty, staff, and students on AI tools, principles, techniques, and cutting-edge digital technologies in response to institutional and program/discipline needs.
• Maintain and promote the equitable and inclusive use of all AI resources in and related to the Center for AI.
• Develop, maintain, and promote AI Help Center resources - both in-person at the AI Center and digitally for asynchronous learning. 
• Serve as the administrator for institutional AI development and educational platforms, subscriptions, and software to facilitate and monitor student access and provide technical guidance for AI-enabled solutions.
• Provide consultation and assistance to faculty and students on the development and use of AI technologies for research and integration into classrooms and student projects.
• Develop, facilitate, and support AI tinkering and student research in AI.
• Support faculty by developing learners’ essential AI and digital literacy skills and digital resources to build knowledge and gain experience.
• Keep current with emerging technology, trends, and related resources.
• Utilize and mentor IMSA student interns and research teams to support the work of the AI Center.
• Develop and teach credentialed AI learning opportunities for students, faculty, and staff.
• Ensure responsible AI, including a focus on soundness and fairness.
• Identify and remove barriers to support access to learners from all backgrounds
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

The required qualifications for this position include:

• Education, research, or industry experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, or a related field 
• Bachelor’s Degree in a Related Field
• Experience with Python and popular ML libraries such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras, and OpenAI
• Effective communication with students, staff, parents, and external partners
• Active participation in a collaborative team environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills for working in a team environment with the ability to function diplomatically and communicate effectively with colleagues, administrators, students, parents, and the public
• An appreciation and understanding of working with diverse populations

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, or a related field.
• A strong background in both artificial intelligence and machine learning
• Experience in curriculum design
• High school equivalent teaching experience
• Experience with APIs, Cloud environments, and Front-end frameworks
• Experience with data science & usage of large language models 
• In-depth knowledge of Object-Oriented Programming and Software Development Lifecycle

Salary and Benefits:

Starting salary approximately $85,000 and regionally commensurate with the training and experience.  The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy offers an excellent comprehensive benefits package, including health and retirement benefits.  The State Universities Retirement System (SURS) is reciprocal with other Illinois public retirement systems such as the Teachers’ Retirement Systems of Illinois (TRS) and the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF).

Application Process:

Applicants must also submit a letter of interest, a complete and current resume/CV and three current professional references.

We are seeking a diverse applicant pool.

The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer providing equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, or national origin.  This policy also includes the handicapped and all disabled Vietnam-era veterans.  IMSA utilizes only job-related criteria in making decisions concerning applicants and employees.