ß÷ßäÉçÇø

Appointment Details

Appointment term:	One year; renewable for an additional year subject to availability of funding and satisfactory performance.

 Application deadline: The review of applications will begin on August 31 and will continue until a suitable candidate is found; in order to ensure full consideration, applications must be completed by September 15.

The ß÷ßäÉçÇø acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

---

Position summary

We are seeking exceptional candidates for a post-doctoral appointment to be held jointly in the and research groups. The appointment will initially be for a one-year term and will be renewable for an additional year subject to availability of funding and satisfactory performance. The post-doctoral appointee will work on activities related to changing assessment practices in large first- and second-year courses with the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL).

The person filling this position will work with Dr. Lia Daniels and Dr. Carrie Demmans Epp (CTL Scholars) on projects that relate to how assessment is conducted, how we can better support student and instructor well-being, and how AI (including large language models [LLMs]) can support assessment and well-being. Eligibility for additional affiliation with the (amii) and the (CRAME) will be discussed with the candidate.

Postdoc duties may include:

• Conducting needs assessments

• Training and using language models

• Integrating LLMs into assessment and student or instructor support services

• Conducting human-participant studies in large classes

• Co-developing and implementing new assessment models

• Evaluating the effects of using alternative assessment practices

• Helping knowledge users integrate new teaching, learning, and assessment practices

• Writing for reporting and scholarly purposes

Expected qualifications

Candidates must have completed their PhD before starting the position. They must also have demonstrated expertise in statistical analyses, machine learning, or natural language processing (NLP). Backgrounds in measurement, cognitive science, and data science with application to education are advantageous. Experience with data management and post-secondary education are desired. We are especially interested in exceptional candidates who transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries and complement our existing strengths.
Based on the high-level activities that are currently planned, we expect that postdocs will be involved in the planning of studies that may rely on the below methods:

• Questionnaires

• Processing of learning management system logs

• Interviews or focus groups

• Analytics

• Natural language processing

In addition to English, proficiency in additional languages will be considered an asset but is not required.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

At the ß÷ßäÉçÇø, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

Research centres

Edmonton is also home to the ß÷ßäÉçÇø Machine Intelligence Institute (amii), which is part of the CIFAR $125M Pan-Canadian AI Strategy. Amii has attracted an extremely strong cohort of professors, post-docs, and graduate students, and enhanced what was already a very strong machine learning community in Edmonton.

Based in the ß÷ßäÉçÇø’s Faculty of Education, the Centre for Research in Applied Measurement and Evaluation (CRAME) was established in 1990. The primary function of the Centre is to conduct research on applied measurement and evaluation with the view of improving the teaching and learning process.

Moving and Location Considerations

We recognize that visa-processing-related concerns about your ability to move to Canada may be preventing some applicants from submitting materials. Please don’t let this stop you from applying.

The ß÷ßäÉçÇø (http://www.ualberta.ca) ranks consistently within Canada’s five best medical/doctoral universities. The ß÷ßäÉçÇø is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide. Edmonton (http://www.edmonton.ca), ß÷ßäÉçÇø’s capital, offers a rich array of cultural, professional, sports, and entrepreneurial activities, with easy access to Canada’s Rocky Mountains, and its public elementary and secondary schools provide high quality education.

---

All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of inclusivity and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns. 

The ß÷ßäÉçÇø is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.

L’Université de l’ß÷ßäÉçÇø s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes ayant une orientation sexuelle ou une identité et une expression sexospécifique; et tous ceux qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.