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Postdoctoral Scholar in AI and Humanity

Posting Number S01424JP

Department Hastings Initiative

Job Summary

Reed Hastings, co-founder of Netflix and a Bowdoin College alumnus, has committed $50 million to launch the Hastings Initiative for AI and Humanity—the largest gift in the college’s history. This transformative initiative will integrate the study of artificial intelligence with Bowdoin’s liberal arts mission, focusing on its societal, ethical, and humanistic dimensions.The gift will fund new faculty positions across disciplines, support faculty in AI-related teaching and research, and create programming that fosters dialogue around AI’s role in shaping the future.

Postdoctoral Scholars will serve as the Initiative’s AI specialists, helping to shape the College’s approach to AI integration while maintaining its liberal arts values.

Responsibilities include:

+ Collaborating with and supporting Bowdoin faculty in integrating AI tools and methodologies into their teaching and research. This work will include:

+ Envisioning and planning workshops and symposia with support from the Hastings Advisory Committee and Post-baccalaureate Fellows in AI and Humanity

+ Teaching in the planned workshops

+ Actively seeking faculty partners for collaboration

+ Offering one-on-one consultations

+ Developing resources to support faculty across the college.

+ Actively promoting the ethical use of AI beyond the Bowdoin community through scholarly output and activities, including participation in conferences, workshops, and other outreach initiatives.

+ Working with the Hastings Advisory Committee to further develop the initiative.

+ Developing the Scholar’s own research program

Please note this is a two-year appointment with an expected start date of July 1, 2025.

Compensation, Benefits, and Perks

+ The hiring salary range for this position is expected to be $59,000 – $65,000 per year.

+ A variety of health insurance plans (Medical, Vision, Dental)

+ Generous Retirement Plan – 10.12% annual compensation contribution, no match or vesting required

+ Life and Disability Insurance

+ Paid Time Off: 20 days of vacation per calendar year, 12 days of personal/sick time

+ Paid Holidays and Special Days Off

+ Paid Parental Leave

+ Household access to many of the College’s facilities including the gym and pool

+ Free fitness and wellness classes

+ And more! https://www.bowdoin.edu/hr/benefits-perks/index.html

Education/Skills Requirements

+ PhD required

+ Working knowledge of all aspects of planning and deploying an AI project, including initial problem specification, data gathering and analysis, model creation, and implementation

+ Strong understanding of artificial intelligence applications and methodologies, such as working knowledge of generative AI tools, use of large language models, machine learning, and ethical frameworks for AI implementation.

+ Ability to apply AI to interdisciplinary research or developing AI models for interdisciplinary research.

+ Evidence of scholarly promise in one or more fields related to artificial intelligence.

+ A commitment to cross-disciplinary collaboration.

+ Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across disciplines and explain technical AI concepts to non-specialist audiences.

+ Demonstrated interest in teaching.

Experience Requirements and/or Equivalents

+ This is an entry-level position

+ Practical and/or research experience with artificial intelligence, including college-level coursework, highly preferred

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications in this posting to be considered for hire.

Standard Work Days and Hours

+ Based on-site at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, the standard schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

+ As a full-time, exempt-level role, this position is a 1.0 FTE working 40 hours/52 weeks and requires the time commitment to complete the essential duties of the position.

Employment at Bowdoin College is contingent upon satisfactory completion of applicable background checks including but not limited to: criminal records, educational verifications, driving records (when job-related), and/or credit history (when job related).

We regret that Bowdoin College is unable to provide visa sponsorship for staff positions.

#bcindeed

About Bowdoin

Bowdoin embraces diversity in all forms, and the College is home to talented students, faculty and staff—with a variety of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds; religious beliefs; and gender identities, among other factors.

We encourage applications from candidates committed to the support of an inclusive campus community and those who will enrich and contribute to the College’s multifaceted diversity. We value a community in which individuals of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed and encouraged to succeed.

Founded in 1794, Bowdoin has maintained its commitment to the liberal arts for well over 200 years. Bowdoin’s reputation as a preeminent liberal arts college rests on the excellence of its faculty, students, and staff; intimate size; strong sense of community; and connections to the people, history, and natural beauty of Maine.

Bowdoin’s campus is situated in a beautiful natural setting. Located in Brunswick, Maine, a town of approximately 20,000, the College is a short drive from the Maine coast, twenty-five miles from Portland and 120 miles from Boston.

Shift

Employment Category Full Time Year Round

FTE 1.00

Benefits Eligible Yes

Pay Type Salaried

Background Check Package Requirements Faculty/Administrative

Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Bowdoin vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job? No

Is a pre-placement physical required for this position? No

Posting Date 05/09/2025

Applications Accepted Until

Open Until Filled No

Type of Posting Internal/External

Special Instructions to Applicants

If selected as a finalist, you will be required to submit information for three references, including name, email address, phone number and how you know the reference.

EEO Information

Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protected statuses.

Supplemental Questions