LLM (Large Language Model) Prototype and Development Specialist - Tepper School

Reference #: 2022322

The Tepper School of Business offers a future-focused business school experience, tailored for the complexity of today's marketplace. Where others see challenges, we see opportunity. Always looking ahead, we are consistently moving the world forward with innovative ideas, creative solutions, and new approaches.Carnegie Mellon University's Tepper School of Business is searching for a LLM Prototype and Development Specialist to join their team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives in an interesting and challenging work environment. You will contribute to the department by providing support by collaborating closely with faculty/staff to identify, design, and develop innovative LLM-based prototypes for educational and research applications. This role requires not just technical expertise, but also an entrepreneurial approach, with a strong focus on finding opportunities for LLM integration and building practical solutions. The specialist should have experience in developing applications, particularly with LLMs, and be able to showcase some of these projects. The role involves conceptualizing and creating prototypes that can be tested at a small scale (up to 200 users) within the school, then plan for broader development. Additionally, the specialist will actively collaborate with other experts and departments across the CMU campus who are leading similar efforts, fostering a community of innovation and shared knowledge. This is a one-year fixed-term position with the expectation of transitioning to a full-time role based on performance and institutional needs.Core responsibilities include:

Faculty Collaboration and Support:Work directly with faculty members to understand their needs, challenges, and goals in integrating LLM technology into their teaching and research.Identify potential use cases for LLMs in educational and research settings, ranging from classroom engagement tools to data-driven research methodologies.Conduct workshops or training sessions for faculty to introduce LLM capabilities, brainstorm possible applications, and explore innovative solutions.

Prototype Development:Design and develop LLM-based prototypes tailored to the identified use cases, leveraging your experience in building similar applications.Ensure that prototypes are user-friendly, effective, and scalable for up to 200 users in the initial testing phase.Collaborate with the IT team to ensure proper integration of prototypes with existing school infrastructure.Demonstrate an entrepreneurial approach by identifying innovative opportunities for LLM application and creating prototypes that address real-world needs.

Campus-Wide Collaboration:Engage and collaborate with other departments and experts across the CMU campus who are working on similar LLM or AI initiatives.Share insights, tools, and strategies with colleagues to foster a culture of innovation and collective advancement.Participate in cross-departmental meetings, workshops, and forums to stay aligned with broader institutional efforts and contribute to campus-wide LLM initiatives.

Coordination and Project Management:Coordinate efforts between faculty, the Associate Dean for Research, the Executive Director of Computing Services, and other campus collaborators to align project goals with institutional priorities.Manage project timelines, ensuring prototypes are developed, tested, and refined within set deadlines.Provide regular updates to stakeholders on the progress of prototype development and testing phases.

Testing and Evaluation:Organize and oversee pilot testing of LLM prototypes within the school, ensuring they meet the desired outcomes.Collect and analyze feedback from faculty and users to refine prototypes, applying your experience to optimize functionality and usability.

Documentation and Reporting:Document the development process, from initial use case identificatio to final prototype deployment, ensuring clear communication of progress and outcomes.Showcase past applications or projects you've built, emphasizing your practical experience in the field.

Future Planning and Development:Identify potential long-term applications of LLMs within the school based on initial project outcomes.Collaborate with stakeholders and campus partners to develop a strategic plan for the broader adoption of LLM technology in the institution.Advocate for the role of LLM technology in enhancing educational and research outcomes, contributing to discussions on future tech integration with an entrepreneurial perspective.Flexibility, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within the Tepper School of Business. Inclusion, collaboration and cultural sensitivity are valued competencies at CMU. Therefore, we are in search of a team member who is able to effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.You should demonstrate:Ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical collaborators.Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.Entrepreneurial mentality with a proven track record of building and launching successful applications.Collaborative spirit with experience in cross-functional or cross-departmental projects.Excellent project management skill using Agile project management methodologiesStrong presentation and technical writing abilitiesFamiliarity with educational technology trendsKnowledge of research methodologies and academic environmentsExperience in rapid prototype development and testingTechnical Skills:Experience in LLM technologies, applications, and frameworks (e.g., GPT, BERT, Transformers)Advanced Python programming, including NLP libraries (e.g., spaCy, NLTK)Proficiency in web development (e.g., Flask, Django, JavaScript)Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP, containerization/Docker/etc.) and DevOps practicesData analysis and visualization fundamentalsAPI design and integrationMachine learning fundamentalsVersion control (e.g., Git) proficiencyDatabase managementUI/UX design principles for prototypingQualifications:Master's degree in computer science, Data Science, Educational Technology, or a related field required8-10 years of experience required; Experience in AI startups or similar dynamic environments, where you have developed AI solutions and demonstrated adaptability, innovation, and the ability to quickly shift in response to changing demands is preferred. Experience in building and showcasing practical applications is essential.A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.Requirements:Successful background checkAdditional Information:Sponsorship: Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for CMU in the United States. CMU will not sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity.Work Posture: This position may involve a combination of on-site and remote work, with occasional requirements to attend meetings or testing sessions on campus.Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits available to eligible employees.Those employees who are benef