Head Of Research In Ai For Learning

We are looking for a Head ofResearch in AI for Learning to join our internationally renowned and diverse research team, and play a leading role in supporting the innovation goals of Cambridge University Press and Assessment (CUP&A) to support language education.

Working collaboratively and effectively across the whole Cambridge Ecosystem - spanning Cambridge University Press and Assessment and the University of Cambridge, you will be responsible for developing and implementing a robust research agenda which optimally underpins the development of AI-driven English products and tech capabilities for English language learners, test takers and other relevant stakeholders. Your work will be vital for driving innovation to shape CUP&A's ambitions through targeted Research in the areas of AI-enabled personalisation, adaptivity, progress tracking, feedback and intelligent tutoring systems in language learning.

We are Cambridge University Press & Assessment, a world-leading academic publisher and assessment organisation and a proud part of the University of Cambridge.

About the role

The role has four complementary strands of responsibility, involving strategy, research, thought leadership and team management.

• Strategically, the role involves close collaboration with key internal stakeholders to develop and deliver a research agenda which enables strategic organisational objectives in the area of AI applications in English education, and which contributes to broader business planning through effective prioritisation and alignment with broader goals
• From a research perspective, the role involves technical leadership and expert knowledge to ensure the successful conceptualisation and implementation of high-quality research programmes and associated deliverables
• The thought leadership part of the role involves the maintenance of a strong academic profile in areas of relevance for AI in language education and the establishment of strong collaborative relationships with experts in the field
• This is a senior leadership role and it requires effective functional management of Research teams, and creating and role modelling an effective team culture of collaboration, empowerment and wellbeing.

About you

You will have an advanced degree (PhD/EdD preferred) in Computer Science, Educational Technology, Computational Linguistics, Applied Linguistics or a related field, or equivalent professional experience, with a focus on applications of AI in language learning.

With an extensive understanding of AI-enabled language learning and related areas such as automated feedback, adaptivity and personalisation, Intelligent Tutoring Systems, human-computer interaction, hybrid machine/human uses of AI, you will be adept at managing complex research projects that support new product and tech capability development and lead innovative change to support organisational strategy.

You should be able to operate confidently and comfortably in contexts involving influential internal and external stakeholders; using your excellent communication skills, you need to have an ability to successfully explain research ideas and technical concepts to both specialist and non-specialist audiences. You should have an academic profile with international visibility in the area of AI in language education or an emerging profile with feasible plans on how to develop it over the next 3-5 years.

You will be able to provide strong leadership both to direct reports and to wider teams and be an inspiring, inclusive and trusted leader.

If you would like to know more about this opportunity and what will make you successful, please see the full job description attached to the bottom of this vacancy on our careers site.

Rewards and benefits

We will support you to be at your best in work and to live well outside of it. In addition to competitive salaries, we offer a world-class, flexible rewards package, featuring family-friendly and planet-friendly benefits including:

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Private medical and Permanent Health Insurance
• Discretionary annual bonus
• Group personal pension scheme
• Life assurance up to 4 x annual salary
• Green travel schemes

We are a hybrid working organisation, and we offer a range of flexible working options from day one. We expect most hybrid-working colleagues to spend 40-60% of their time at their dedicated office or location. We will also consider other work arrangements if you wish to work more flexibly or require adjustments due to a disability.

Ready to pursue your potential? Apply now.

We review applications on an ongoing basis. The closing date for all applications is Sunday 7 January 2024, and interviews are scheduled to take place between 18 -2 6 January 2024.

Please note that successful applicants will be subject to satisfactory background checks including DBS due to working in a regulated industry.

Why join us

Joining us is your opportunity to pursue potential. You'll belong to a collaborative team that's exploring new and better ways to serve students, teachers and researchers across the globe - for the benefit of individuals, society and the world. Sharing our mission will inspire your own growth, development and progress, in an environment which embraces difference, change and aspiration.

Cambridge University Press & Assessment is committed to being a place where anyone can enjoy a successful career, where everyone has a voice, and where we learn continuously to improve together. Ensuring that everyone feels they belong is essential to who we are, and to the contribution we make to society and our planet.

We believe better outcomes come through diversity of thought, background and approach. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and communities, actively seeking to employ people from a wide range of different communities.