The University of Southern California (USC)
Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT)
Director for Learning Science Research
Job Location: Los Angeles, CA
The University of Southern California (USC) Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT) is seeking a Director for Learning Science Research to define the overall vision for learning sciences research at the ICT. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated success securing research funding, and will be widely recognized for his or her achievements in computer-supported learning and educational technology, with a national or international reputation. The candidate will be knowledgeable about intelligent tutoring systems, artificial intelligence, instructional design, user assessment design, and systems evaluation design. The candidate will be familiar with good practices for system design.
The successful candidate will actively seek funding for projects related to the learning sciences, and in particular projects focused on computer-supported approaches to training and education. He/she will also be responsible for writing/submitting proposals and peer-reviewed publications. The candidate will be expected to present and demonstrate project research at various venues, including academic and industry conferences, and Government installations.
The candidate will be responsible for directing medium to large teams, often consisting of both internal and external research and production personnel. The Director for Learning Science Research will lead teams through the coordination, planning, execution, and deployment of the project development phases. Most of these projects will be Government-funded and require direct and tight coordination with an assortment of Government sponsors and organizations.
The USC Institute for Creative Technologies was founded in 1999 to bring researchers at the cutting edge in virtual reality, computer graphics, artificial intelligence and the learning sciences together with talented personnel from the entertainment industry with the goal of creating the next generation of systems for training and education. The Institute is the ideal place to pursue research in the learning sciences, with unparalleled access to new technologies, extraordinary challenging research questions, and a vibrant culture of interdisciplinary collaboration. We are world leaders in virtual human research, computer training simulations, and immersive experiences for decision-making, cultural awareness, leadership and health. Here, teams of world-class researchers work side-by-side with developers, practitioners, and students to address the research and development needs of a diverse set of funding organizations. The University of Southern California, founded in 1880, is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. The Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT) is an off campus research facility located in the westside Los Angeles neighborhood of Playa Vista, in close proximity to the ocean and the Silicon Beach tech sector.
Required skills:
- Doctor of Philosophy (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Education, Educational Psychology or related discipline
- Demonstrated ability to propose and obtain funding for projects
- 5-10 years of project leadership/management experience
- 5-10 years of experience with educational technology
- Demonstrated ability to produce educational technology systems that advance the state-of-the-art
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Demonstrated problem-solving and analysis skills, preferably in the area of technology applied to training and/or education
- Demonstrated team leadership skills
- Demonstrated balance between technical and leadership skills and experience
Desired skills:
- Experience with Government and DoD-related research projects
- Experience leading and/or developing systems using game-based technologies
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate
Minimum Experience: 5 years
Minimum Field of Expertise:
Directly related education and experience in research specialization with highly advanced knowledge of equipment, procedures, analysis methods, principles, theories and concepts. Demonstrated leadership in developing new ideas and ability to publish in appropriate academic and practitioner outlets. Demonstrated independent thinking and leadership in scholarly writing according to such criteria as: first authored publications, conceptual leadership in the development of publications generated alone or with others, writing of first drafts of publications and/or single authored publications.
Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Education: Doctor of Philosophy (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Education, Educational Psychology or related discipline