The National Institute of Education invites suitable applications for the position of Research Assistant on a 12-month contract at the English Language and Literature department.

Project Title: The Nature of Human-AI Interactions in Multimodal Academic Lecture Assessment: A Generative AI and Sensor Technology Investigation

Project Introduction:

Recent developments in generative AI are transforming how we create educational content and assess language skills. Tools that generate spoken or video-based content, as well as conversational AI systems, are increasingly used in language learning and testing. These technologies hold significant promise but also raise important questions about how learners interact with and respond to AI-driven materials.

This project investigates how learners engage with educational content and interactive systems powered by generative AI. It explores the neurobiological, emotional, and behavioral aspects of listening and conversation in academic settings, focusing on the ways learners process spoken input, engage with digital characters, and experience language-based interaction in AI-enhanced environments. The study involves two phases. One focuses on how learners respond to academic input in various formats, and the other explores user interaction with conversational systems built on generative AI. Across both phases, the project will use a range of behavioral, neurophysiological, and self-report measures to gain a well-rounded understanding of user engagement and comprehension. The findings are expected to inform future practices in using AI technology, language assessment, and learner-centered design.

Requirements

•  Bachelor's degree in computer science and/or data analytics; quantitative and computational language sciences; cognitive neuroscience, or a closely related field
• Demonstrated expertise in generative AI tools, including text-to-speech (TTS), large language models (LLMs), text-to-video (TTV), automatic speech recognition (ASR), or their combination
• Working knowledge of neuroimaging techniques such as fNIRS (training will be provided)
• Theoretical and/or practical familiarity with eye-tracking methodologies (training will be provided)
• Strong background in programming languages such as Python  
• Background in quantitative and computational methods (training will be available during the project)
• Strong motivation for scientific inquiry, effective collaboration skills, and a constructive team-oriented mindset
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English

Preferred

• Familiarity with cloud-based integrated development environments (IDEs) as well as APIs
• Prior involvement in interdisciplinary research projects (e.g., cognitive science and computer science)
• Experience contributing to peer-reviewed publications or conference presentations

Responsibilities:

• Designing experimental protocols and research instruments that integrate generative AI technologies
• Developing AI-enhanced materials and tools, including listening tasks and GenAI-based conversational systems
• Data preparation and conducting quantitative and computational analyses using programming languages such as Python and R
• Preparing clear, well-documented reports and updates for the Principal Investigator (PI)
• Collaborating with interdisciplinary team members to refine experimental design and ensure methodological rigor
• Assisting with the preparation of academic publications, conference presentations, and research dissemination activities
• Managing data processing pipelines, including preprocessing and visualization of neuroimaging and behavioral data
• Supporting the implementation and testing of cloud-based tools and integrated development environments as needed
• Other responsibilities assigned by the Principal Investigator

Application

Applicants (external and internal) will apply via Workday. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Closing Date

Closing date for advertisements will be set to 14 calendar days from date of posting.

Hiring Institution: NIE