Research Assistant Professor, FRI Artificial Intelligence and Society

The First-year Research Immersion Program (FRI) at Binghamton University invites applications for a three-year renewable, full-time Research Assistant Professor (Research Educator), to begin August 2026 (preferred) or January 2027. Candidates must have completed a terminal degree (PhD or equivalent) before starting.

This is a unique 10-month, non-tenure track faculty position designed for scholars who wish to integrate research, teaching, and undergraduate mentorship. Unlike traditional faculty models where research is conducted primarily by graduate students or postdoctoral researchers, FRI faculty lead team-based undergraduate research that contribute directly to the faculty member's and stream collaborators' research agendas while providing students with authentic research experiences early in their academic careers.

The successful candidate will launch a new research stream, Artificial Intelligence & Society. The vision for this stream is to explore how artificial intelligence both shapes, and is shaped by, human systems. Research within the stream will examine the societal implications, applications, and/or responsible development of AI across social, cultural, economic, educational, and/or policy contexts.

We welcome candidates from diverse academic backgrounds including (but not limited to) social sciences, behavioral sciences, public health, education, psychology, sociology, communication, business, geography, history, computer science, engineering, and related interdisciplinary fields. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to lead transdisciplinary research that incorporates artificial intelligence and technology alongside the arts, humanities, and one or more of the social sciences. A terminal degree (PhD or equivalent) must be completed before starting.

Depending on the Research Educator's expertise, possible research directions may include the following, but are not limited to:

• Study the societal impacts, ethical implications, or governance of AI systems
• Investigate bias, fairness, and accountability in AI
• Examine human-AI interaction and decision-making
• Apply AI tools to address research questions in social science, education, public health, or policy
• Develop community-informed AI applications that address real-world challenges
• Analyze how public perception, regulation, and institutional contexts shape the development and deployment of AI

The research stream will collaborate with faculty partners across the university and connect with emerging interdisciplinary initiatives including the Institute for AI & Society and the New York Center for AI Responsibility and Research.

The FRI Program's Undergraduate Research Model:

FRI is a nationally recognized program that engages first-year students in authentic research experiences. Research Educators lead cohorts of approximately 30 undergraduate researchers through a multi-semester research experience. Students progress through a three-course sequence that introduces research methods, engages them in collaborative research projects, and supports continued, independent research in the second year. Within this structure, the Research Educator develops and leads a team-based research program in which undergraduate researchers contribute meaningfully to the faculty member's research agenda. Research Educators also collaborate with faculty stream collaborators and interdisciplinary colleagues across the university. The FRI research community empowers students to make scientific and personal discoveries while developing vital skills for success through four main value pillars: community, transferable-skills, personal impact, and discovery.

More information about the FRI program is available at: www.binghamton.edu/fri

 

Responsibilities:

Teaching & Mentorship 

• Serve as instructor for stream FRI courses (Fall: FRI Semester 1 & FRI Semester 3; Spring: FRI Semester 2)
• Continually develop, maintain and revise stream curriculum
• Supervise, train & manage undergraduate peer mentors (UGPMs) 

Research

• Maintain research lab & budget
• Perform research in conjunction with stream students
• Collaborate with faculty and relevant collaborators on research projects
• Disseminate results

Service

• Participate in FRI program events & committees
• Support students in continuing efforts and activities post-FRI program experience

General

• Attend and actively participate in FRI faculty/staff meetings
• Facilitate formative and summative assessments of the research stream and FRI students

Professional Development

• Actively participate in research and educational professional development activities

Requirements:

• PhD, or equivalent, in a discipline matching the theme for the research stream by January 1, 2027
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more disciplines that align with the theme for the research stream
• Effective communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and timelines simultaneously
• Ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively
• Effective professional and organizational skills
• Ability to problem solve, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks
• Ability to analyze and organize information and materials for a variety of research projects

Preferred:

• PhD, or equivalent, in a discipline matching the theme for the research stream by August 1, 2026
• Teaching experience in higher education (can be as a teaching assistant)
• Demonstrated history of transdisciplinary research in the area of AI & Society
• Experience mentoring undergraduate researchers
• Experience supervising undergraduate and/or graduate teaching assistants
• Experience managing a research laboratory (i.e., physical space with equipment for a research program/project used by several people)

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.  If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements.  Additionally, please note that Binghamton University is not an E-Verify employer.

Application Instructions:

All applicants must apply via Interview Exchange: http://binghamton.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=198844

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the vacancy is filled.