Research Assistant Professor, FRI Artificial Intelligence and Society
About Binghamton University:
Binghamton University is a premier public R1 research institution in the State University of New York (SUNY) system that unites more than 130 broadly interdisciplinary educational programs with some of the most vibrant research in the nation. Our unique character - shaped by our mission, outstanding academics, facilities, and community life - promotes extraordinary student success, research, and service; Binghamton University is where our students, faculty and staff thrive.
Working at Binghamton University is more than about having a great job - it is about having the opportunity to flourish in an exciting, engaging environment. Our faculty and staff appreciate Binghamton's collegial and inclusive culture and its commitment to excellence, education, innovation, and civic engagement. Our diverse campus community contributes to our success.
Binghamton merges rigorous academics, distinguished faculty who value cutting-edge, and community-engaged research, teaching and service, exceptional staff, and ultramodern facilities to engage and challenge its 18,000+ students. Our high-achieving student body represents diverse experiences from first-generation college-goers to international students. Beyond their talent, these classmates share a desire to shape the future through technology, insight, intellectual exploration, and community service.
Job Description:
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:
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.
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