Research Fellow (Child Development and AI in Education)

About the role

The National Institute of Education (NIE) is recruiting a Research Fellow on a 1-year contract for its Centre for Research in Child Development (CRCD). The Centre advances understanding of child development and early education through multi-project research that informs policy, practice and innovation. The successful candidate will work at the intersection of child development, educational research and emerging technologies, generating evidence on the age-appropriate use of AI for children.

Key responsibilities

• Lead a centre-level initiative to synthesise developmental science research and generate evidence informing age-appropriate AI guidance for children in educational settings.
• Review international policy guidelines on children's use of AI and developmental science research to identify relevant competencies and AI literacy needs.
• Design and run empirical studies (interviews, focus groups, surveys) with children, parents, educators and other stakeholders on AI use and perceptions.
• Scan developments in AI, education policy and child development research to identify emerging research questions.
• Prepare research reports, policy briefs, publications and other knowledge translation materials.
• Support stakeholder engagement such as research sharing sessions, workshops and roundtables with government agencies and schools.
• Help CRCD researchers with data analysis, manuscript preparation and grant applications.
• Pilot innovative research methods and AI-enabled research tools, and carry out other duties assigned by Centre Management.

Required profile

• PhD in Developmental Psychology, Education, Child Development, Learning Sciences or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of developmental science and experience conducting systematic or scoping literature reviews.
• Experience in quantitative and/or qualitative research with children, parents or educators.
• Track record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
• Experience with children's digital media, AI, technology use or educational technology is an advantage.

Required skills

• Analytical, synthesis, writing and communication skills, able to turn research evidence into accessible reports and recommendations.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and collaborate with researchers and external stakeholders.

Applications (internal and external) are made through Workday; only shortlisted candidates will be notified, and the closing date is 14 calendar days after posting.