Skip to main content

Assistant Specialist, Digital Learning Lab

Position overview

Salary range: The salary ranges from $65,800 to $73,200

Application Window

Open date: November 5, 2026

Next review date: Monday, Dec 7, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Friday, Dec 11, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

Pending availability of funding, a full-time Assistant Specialist is needed in the Digital Learning Lab at the University of California, Irvine, to support research on computer science education with artificial intelligence.

The researcher will assist in the following activities:
• Developing curriculum for teaching AI-assisted and agentic coding
• Conducting professional development on how to teach AI-assisted and agentic coding
• Assisting students who are carrying out AI-assisted and agentic coding tasks
• Developing instructional resources to support AI-assisted and agentic coding
• Collecting, managing, and analyzing data from research participants
• Helping manage communications with participating instructors, team members, and other stakeholders
• Mapping project timelines and milestones and ensuring staff and research partners are meeting deadlines
• Updating and submitting human subjects protocols
• Assisting with publications and presentations
• Assisting with administrative work in support AI-assisted and agentic coding projects

The position will begin in January or February 2027. The appointment will be for one year with re-appointment for additional years possible depending on funding. Appointment will be at the Assistant Specialist level depending on the educational background and experience of the applicant, with salary commensurate with level.

Requirements: Candidates must include a master’s degree in an education-related field and research experience on teaching AI-assisted and agentic coding to secondary students, including experience in developing curricula and resources.

To Apply: Applications should be submitted online at Browse Open Recruitments or Log In - UCI - Recruit. Please include a cover letter explaining your relevant background and interest in this project, CV, and names of three references (please do not solicit letters). Questions about the position can be addressed to Distinguished Professor Mark Warschauer at markw@uci.edu. Questions about the application process can be address to Corrine Pratt, corriner@uci.edu.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Candidates must include a master’s degree in an education-related field and research experience on teaching AI-assisted and agentic coding to secondary students, including experience in developing curricula and resources.

Junior Specialist - Baccalaureate degree (BA/BS) or equivalent. Equivalent research experience demonstrating expertise.
Assistant Specialist - Master's degree or equivalent. 4 to 6 years (or a Bachelor's plus 3+ years) of specialized research training/experience.
Associate Specialist - Master's degree or equivalent. 5 to 10 years of experience demonstrating specialized expertise.
Specialist (Full) - Terminal degree (Ph.D. or M.D.) or equivalent. 10 or more years of specialized experience demonstrating high-level expertise.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter - Explain your relevant background and interest in this project.

  • Statement of Research (Optional)

  • Misc / Additional (Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 3 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF10506

About UC Irvine

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC anti-discrimination policy.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Job location

Irvine, CA