AI Innovation Fellow

Description

The Center for Community-Engaged Artificial Intelligence (CEAI) is a university center of excellence dedicated to leveraging the power of AI for community and societal impact. As a multi-disciplinary team of scientists, engineers, students, and community partners, CEAI leads cross-disciplinary scientific research, facilitates project-based learning experiences, conducts extensive community outreach, hosts workshops and symposiums, and awards seed grants to support human-centered AI research across the university. The Tulane University Innovation Institute (TUII) is designed to help bridge the gap between university research and the marketplace/public sphere, catalyzing the real-world impact of Tulane’s world-class, audacious research. This includes commercialization efforts centered around a gap fund/proof-of-concept and launching new startups. The School of Science and Enginnering (SSE) at Tulane University has the mission to provide outstanding opportunities for learning and discovery in science and engineering and to foster an environment that is student focused, research intensive, interdisciplinary, entrepreneurial, and responsive to the needs of the community.

While many innovators within the Tulane community have ideas for leveraging AI and computer science to solve challenging societal problems, they often lack engineering support and AI expertise needed to prototype and iterate solutions to these challenges. To fill this gap, CEAI, TUII, and SSE have created the collaborative AI Innovation Fellowship Program. The AI Innovation Fellow (AIIF) will be responsible for interfacing with researchers and innovators at Tulane to support development programs and AI-empowered solutions to foundational challenges. They will also support Tulane researchers in AI-enhanced research projects, in addition to working with CEAI, SSE’s AI 4 All, and TUII to identify areas of opportunity for multidisciplinary innovation and research. This will involve meeting with university innovators and scientists, providing programming and application development support, providing AI engineering expertise and support, and creation of prototypes and minimal viable products. 

The AIIF supports the innovation goals of Tulane, CEAI, SSE AI4All Efforts and TUII by: 

• Supporting the creation of prototype applications and AI tools for Tulane innovators and researchers

• Providing AI/ML subject matter expertise to Tulane innovators

• Assisting Tulane researchers with AI-related or AI-enabled research projects

• Providing insights and research support to CEAI, SSE, and TUII leadership as they identify opportunities for larger      AI-enabled innovation initiatives

The AIIF works at the direction of the Directors of the Center for Community Engaged AI, TUII and SSE’s AI4ALL in cooperation with all internal, pertinent offices such the Tulane Innovation Institute, as in-house counsel, the University Office of Research, the Office of Technology Transfer, IRB, Office of Advancement, Communications and Marketing, Department of Computer Science etc.

Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: 

1. BS, MS, or PhD with AI/Computer Science Background

2. 0-3 years experience in computer sciences/AI/software development industry

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES TYPICALLY NEEDED TO PERFORM THIS JOB SUCCESSFULLY:

1. Technical Skills (experience in at least one):

a. Front-End Development: Proficient in user interface design using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript frameworks (e.g., React, Angular, or Vue.js).

b. Back-End Development: Experience in backend programming with Python or C++.

c. Applied Machine Learning: Knowledge of integrating machine learning models and algorithms into applications.

2. A knowledge of applied computer science and AI in software/app development and rapid prototype development. 

3. History of academic technology transfer, corporate business development or equivalent industry experience.

4. Ability to interact effectively in innovation and academic cultures and to bridge those cultures.

5. Ability to work with diverse constituencies.

6. Excellent organizational skills.

7. Strategic thinking: ability to link research capabilities with market needs and trends to identify opportunities              for  innovations and collaborations.

8. Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated potential for “sales abilities.”

9. Excellent written and oral communication skills.

10. Ability to multitask, follow directions as needed but work independently, and ensure timely completion of work on complex assignments.

11. Highly self-motivated individual with ability to grow to independently represent TUII and the university at large.

12. Must be able to meet established deadlines and take on new responsibilities as needed.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

1.  Familiarity with Tulane research strengths.

2.  Work in academic, non-profit or corporate scientific settings (University, Research Institiute, Company, VC Firm, Foundation).

3.  Software/app development experience.

Application Instructions

Candidates must apply via Interfolio and provide the following:

• CV 
• Cover Letter
• Contact References (3)

Position will close in December 2025 or when the position is filled.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Tulane University is an equal opportunity educator and employer committed to providing an education and employment environment free of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.   Legally protected demographic classifications (such as a person’s race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, shared ancestry, disability, genetics, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws) are not relied upon as an eligibility, selection or participation criteria for Tulane’s employment or educational programs or activities.

Tulane University is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing an application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the Office of Human Resources by phone at 504-865-4748 or by email at hr@tulane.edu.