AI Fellow

Description

The AI Fellow is a scholar in residence/graduate student fellowship position designed to bridge advanced AI knowledge from university programs with practical, hands-on education at the technical college level. Fellows work collaboratively with the Applied AI Lab team, startups and entrepreneurs, business and industry, and higher education and ecosystem partners to develop novel real-world products and research, while gaining valuable teaching and industry experience. This position offers graduate students the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge in a practical educational setting while contributing to workforce development in artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, and data science.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities (include, but not limited to)

This position description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of the job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this description.

Applied AI Projects

Support industry projects for external clients from scoping to design to full prototype.

Collaborate with industry partners on projects, including pitching ideas and solutions based on an understanding of their business.

Design and develop internal projects in the lab that demonstrate real-world AI use cases.

Provide technical support for lab equipment and software platforms.

Teaching and Instruction

Co-teach AI-related workshops and training sessions on-site at WCTC and off-site industries and organizations.

Deliver engaging, hands-on instruction in AI-related topics such as:

Machine learning and NLP fundamentals, including evaluation metrics, model deployment, and applications like text classification and summarization

Generative AI and agentic systems, including prompt engineering, fine-tuning, LLM use, and frameworks like LangChain and AutoGen

Vector databases and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and responsible AI practices such as bias detection and safe deployment

Teach using modern tools and platforms such as Python, PyTorch, Hugging Face, LangChain, TensorFlow, and the OpenAI API, applying active learning strategies suited to a range of learner backgrounds.

Collaborate with the Applied AI Lab Director to review, refine, and suggest new curriculum reflecting current trends in the AI ecosystem

Develop and deliver guest lectures on specialized AI topics, and create and update instructional materials, such as presentations, handouts, and digital resources

Participate in meetings with WCTC faculty and staff upon request.

Participate in writing articles, case studies, and use cases

Professional Development

Participate in industry networking events and professional conferences.

Engage in collaborative meetings with the lab, internal and external partners, and WCTC faculty and staff.

Complete program evaluation activities and provide regular progress reports.

Fellowship Requirements and Expectations

Time Commitment

15 hours per week over a 16-week semester

Minimum one full day per week on-site at WCTC

Flexible scheduling to accommodate teaching, lab work, and student needs

Attend orientation sessions and professional development opportunities

Minimum Qualifications

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Education

Currently enrolled in a master's or PhD program in computer science, engineering, data science, data analytics, artificial intelligence, or closely related field

Good academic standing with a minimum 3.0 GPA

Completion of core coursework in AI, machine learning, robotics, engineering, or data science

Completion of coursework that involves heavy use of code and software for your core field

Collaboration and Communication Skills

Maintain positive, professional relationships with learners, clients, WCTC faculty/staff/students, and the Applied AI Lab team

Maintain regular communication with the Applied AI Lab Executive Director and Operations Manager

Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and planning sessions

Contribute to program improvement and development initiatives

Technical Skills

Practical experience with at least two of the following: Python, PyTorch, Hugging Face, LangChain, TensorFlow, OpenAI API, Cohere, Model Context Protocol (MCP), or similar tools/protocols/platforms.

Experience with machine learning frameworks and tools

Knowledge of data visualization and analysis techniques

Familiarity with agentic software development tools

Familiarity with cloud computing platforms and cloud software resources

Understanding of statistical methods and data mining techniques

Professional Skills

Excellent communication, organization, and instructional skills, with the ability to simplify complex technical topics

Proficiency in using applied learning methods, including project-based instruction and real-world use cases

Ability to work independently, as part of a team, and with minimal supervision

Demonstrated leadership potential and initiative

Commitment to educational excellence and student success

Preferred Qualifications

Previous teaching, tutoring, or training experience

Industry internship or work experience in AI, software, data science, robotics, or a similarly technical field

Research experience with publications or presentations

Experience with project management

A portfolio of technical projects and examples of previous technical work

Supplemental Information

Application Requirements

Current curriculum vitae or resume

Letter of interest describing something you have built with AI and how you iterated to achieve a goal(s) and outcome(s); please also share your career goals and motivation for the fellowship

Letter of recommendation from a faculty member

Academic transcripts (unofficial acceptable for initial application)

Fellowship Benefits and Compensation

Financial Support

Master's Students: $7,000 per semester

Doctoral Students: $9,000 per semester

Payment distributed biweekly throughout the semester term

Fellows are expected to submit timesheets for each pay period to report hours worked.

This is a special category for Fellows, with no benefits costs beyond required workers’ compensation. If Fellows are concurrently enrolled in courses at their home institution, they may qualify for FICA exemption.

International Students on F-1 Visas

International students must follow F-1 visa work regulations. Most notably, off-campus work is not allowed during the first academic year, and any eligible off-campus work must be authorized by their institution’s Designated School Official (DSO) and be related to their program of study.

To accommodate international Fellows, the fellowship may be structured as a Curricular Practical Training (CPT) opportunity, pending a CPT Partnership Agreement with the student’s home institution. This agreement would outline how the fellowship meets CPT requirements, such as offering academic credit (e.g., 3 credits), fulfilling specific learning objectives, and providing practical experience directly related to the student’s field of study. Supervision would be shared between an industry mentor and a university faculty advisor. This structure allows the institution’s DSO to designate the fellowship as CPT-eligible.

Professional Development Opportunities

Hands-on teaching experience

Industry networking and partnership opportunities

Research collaboration with WCTC faculty, staff, and industry partners

Professional reference, recommendation, and networking opportunities

Access to WCTC lab, resources, and equipment

Academic Benefits

Potential for course credit through home university (subject to university approval)

Publication opportunities

Conference presentation opportunities

Addition to professional portfolio and resume

Ability to apply your research to solve real-world problems in business/industry

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the AI Fellowship, Fellows will have:

Gained practical experience in educational instruction

Developed skills in translating complex technical concepts for diverse learning audiences

Enhanced understanding of industry applications of AI, machine learning, robotics, and data science

Built professional networks in both academic and industry settings

Contributed to meaningful educational initiatives and industry impact via applied projects and research

Strengthened leadership and project management capabilities

Evaluation Criteria
Fellows will be evaluated based on:

Teaching effectiveness and learner engagement

Quality of lab exercise development and implementation

Project and/or research impact on business/industry

Mentorship impact on students

Professional growth and development

Collaboration with faculty and staff

Overall contribution to program goals

Applications are due September 2nd, 2026 interview date is to be determined.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain that authorization through employment. Verification of employment eligibility will be required upon hire. WCTC does not provide employment-based visa sponsorship.