Academic Research Assistant

Saarland University is a campus university with an international reputation for research excellence, particularly in computer science and in the life sciences and nanosciences. The university is also distinguished by its close ties to France and its strong European focus. Around 17,000 students, studying over one hundred different academic disciplines, are currently enrolled at Saarland University. Saarland University is officially recognized as one of Germany’s family-friendly higher-education institutions and with a combined workforce of more than 4000 it is one of the largest employers in the region.

Academic research assistant (M/F/x)

**Reference number W2576**, salary in accordance with the German TV-L salary scale1, pay grade: E13 TV- L, duration of employment: 3 years, volume of employment: 75-100 % of standard working time.

**Workplace/Department**:

- Designing for, and supporting, student learning of 21st-century skills and adaptive expertise (e.g., selfregulated learning) using AI-based learning technology
- Using participatory design approaches to deeply understand stakeholder views on AI-based technology in classrooms
- Co-designing innovative learning activities, instructional principles, and technologies (with AI) with students in schools, school teachers, and parents

The desired start date is April 1st, 2025, but we are flexible and understand that this may not work well for everyone; we are happy to discuss when would be the best for you (i.e.., you could start earlier or later).

**Job requirements and responsibilities**:

- Design and develop learning technologies and learning activities using participatory design approaches with stakeholders (i.e., school teachers, students, and parents)
- Plan and conduct user studies with students, teachers, and parents
- Plan and conduct classroom-based experiments with teachers and students
- Analyze qualitative and quantitative data on student learning, perception, and engagement
- Conduct data mining and learning analytics research to understand human learning
- Write scientific papers for conferences and journals and present findings to a wider range of audience
- Participate in a co-taught small class on AI in education as a teaching assistant
- Mentor bachelor’s and master’s student assistants in the lab and teach a small seminar course

**Your academic qualifications**:

- Completed university studies in Computer Science, Learning Sciences, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Educational Technology, Education Science, Design, Cognitive Science, or a related field.
- Advanced software development (HTML, CSS, Javascript)
- HCI design and research skills and experiences (e.g., user research, knowledge of UX methods)
- Knowledge of experimental design
- Skills in learning/instructional design
- Teaching experience or experience working with school-aged children
- Data analysis skills and experiences (using R, SPSS, or Python)
- Participatory design research experience with education stakeholders and/or community members
- Prior conference or journal publications/presentations
- Strong verbal and written communication skills in English
- Language skills (according to GER): German knowledge (optional) (e.g.: German -C2)

**What we can offer you**:

- A flexible work schedule allowing you to balance work and family, among other things the possibility of teleworking
- Secure and future-oriented employment with attractive conditions
- A broad range of further education and professional development programmes (for example language courses)
- An occupational health management model with numerous attractive options, such as our university sports programme
- Supplementary pension scheme (RZVK)
- Discounted tickets on local public transport services (‘Job-Ticket Plus‘ of the saarVV)

To apply, please submit 1) your CV (with a list of any publications and contact information of two references, no page limit), 2) a cover letter (2 pages max) that describes your research interests and relevant experiences, 3) the most recent transcript for your master´s degree (and bachelor´s as well, if possible), and 4) your master´s thesis or its draft (only if you have written or are writing one).

Pay grade classification is based on the particular details of the position held and the extent to which the applicant meets the requirements of the pay grade within the TV-L salary scale. Part-time employment is generally possible.

Unfortunately, neither costs for attending an interview at Saarland University nor costs for any certificate evaluation by the ZAB can be reimbursed in principle.
- 1 TV-L = collective agreement on remuneration of public sector employees in the German _Länder_
The pay grade assigned to an employee depends on their professional qualifications and the number of years of service. Each pay grade is further subdivided into levels. Entry-level employees with no previous experience will initially be assigned a level 1 rating. After one