Assistant Director - Research

Responsibilities

• Oversee research and training programs, including the management of pilot grant programs and research incubation activities.
• Formally supervise staff scientists and research staff, providing coaching, mentorship, and project coordination.
• Design and implement AI exploration programs, online resources, and technical tools for research capacity building.
• Develop content for research training, such as summer academies and AI tutorials.
• Support the Executive Director in stakeholder engagement, grant proposal development, and fundraising efforts.
• Facilitate research capacity development by creating technical guidelines and delivering training to faculty and researchers.
• Collect data to assess program effectiveness and develop scientific content for websites, newsletters, and promotional materials.

Requirements

• PhD in a quantitative field.
• 3+ years of post-graduate research experience involving data science or AI methodologies (e.g., machine learning, NLP, or statistical methods).
• 2+ years of experience managing research programs or collaborative projects.
• Experience formally supervising multiple staff members.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong interpersonal abilities.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience engaging with highly technical researchers across diverse methodological fields and computational platforms.
• A proven track record of productive research reflected in publications and collaborations.
• Teaching experience specifically in the domains of data science and AI.
• Familiarity with the University of Michigan research environment.

About the Company

The Michigan Institute for Data and AI in Society (MIDAS) is part of the University of Michigan Office of the Vice President for Research. Our mission is to advance research in data science and artificial intelligence to achieve lasting scientific and societal impact. We foster a world-class research community by leading strategic research thrusts, enabling collaborative grants, and building essential research resources.