Manager of AI Modeling & Inference

Stanford Libraries is seeking a full-time Manager of AI Modeling & Inference to join Research Data Services. The Libraries values are rooted in a commitment of mutual respect, the idea that every member of the staff has something to contribute, and that learning is constant. We seek a team member who is ready to share their skills and perspectives.

About Stanford Libraries:

Stanford Libraries is a network of over 15 libraries with over 400 employees. We are committed to fueling the teaching, learning and research across Stanford by acquiring, stewarding, and making available a robust collection, currently in excess of 12 million items. Everyone in the organization plays a vital role in fulfilling that objective. Our dedication to discoverability and information management also has us engaged in dynamic global partnerships. We are constantly building and strengthening our organization, and we recognize striving for excellence is a marathon and not a sprint. We are constantly trying to strike the right pace, and admit there are times when we find ourselves at a fast jog. While we hope to always find candidates who fit within our organization, what we truly seek is someone who will add to our culture, our profession as well as the greater academic arena. We are invested in the success of our teams and the individuals who represent Stanford Libraries.

About the Position:

Stanford University Libraries' Research Data Services is seeking an experienced, technically-adept, forward-thinking library professional to both lead and directly contribute programming effort to our new AI Modeling & Inference group. This role manages two Digital Scholarship Research Developers, leading a group with significant accomplishments in digital humanities projects. We are looking for an individual who can both design and implement research software, as well as manage a team of experienced colleagues.

Vision

We seek a professional who can foresee the impact of AI on academic research practices - and develop software and services to maximize the positivity of these effects. At the same time, this role must remain clear-eyed about limitations and problems of AI, and offer responsible guidance to colleagues and patrons alike. Balancing these two perspectives will be key to the leadership role we expect the Manager to play.

Mission

Digital research methods rooted in artificial intelligence have increasing visibility across academic disciplines. While large language models have captured the popular imagination, a host of architectures, techniques and approaches are now available to researchers, spanning from text to audio to image. As a core unit supporting research practice on campus, Research Data Services is building on its experience in domains such as pose detection, text analysis, and handwriting recognition with an aim of extending services in new directions across all disciplines. The Manager position will play a key role in gathering input, architecting, and implementing these new service offerings.

Collaboration

This role is a member of the management team in Research Data Services, a patron-facing group at Stanford University Libraries supporting geospatial research data, research data curation, data infrastructure, and academic data support. Due to the relevance of modeling & inference across many domains, we expect this position to play a crucial role in articulating AI research methods across other parts of RDS. Examples of this might include text recognition on historic maps, vector-space models for reconciling text in a curation context, or re-training Large Language Models on specific historic or literary corpora.

Beyond Research Data Services, this Manager role is also responsible for ensuring close collaboration on AI projects with other units inside Stanford University Libraries, including those responsible for collections, subject expertise, rare books, digital library systems, and technical services.

Core Duties*:

Monitor technology trends and evaluate emerging technologies to recommend for adoption and implementation.

Manage the development and rollout of Stanford University Libraries AI services and software for researchers.

Propose, conceptualize, design, implement, and develop solutions for difficult and complex research software applications independently.

Propose, conceptualize, design, implement, and develop solutions for difficult and complex applications independently.

Oversee testing, debugging, change control, and documentation for major research software applications.

Supervise professional staff, as necessary, working on all phases of research software application development projects.

Engage in long-term strategic planning.

Define complex application development administration and programming standards.

Oversee the support, maintenance, operation, and upgrades of applications.

Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical problems.

Review the physical design of existing systems for optimizing performance.

Lead projects, as necessary, for special systems and application development in areas of complex problems.

Work with other technical professionals to develop standards and implement best practices.

* - Other duties may also be assigned

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree and eight years of relevant experience, or a combination of education and relevant experience.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new technologies and programming tools.
• Demonstrated experience in designing, developing, testing, and deploying applications.
• Strong understanding of data design, architecture, relational databases, and data modeling.
• Thorough understanding of all aspects of software development life cycle and quality control practices.
• Ability to define and solve logical problems for highly technical applications.
• Strong communication skills with both technical and non-technical clients.
• Demonstrated experience leading activities on structured team development projects.
• Ability to select, adapt, and effectively use a variety of programming methods.
• Ability to recognize and recommend needed changes in user and/or operations procedures.

Other Relevant Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities May Include:

Experience with programming and scripting languages such as Python and Javascript.

Experience with AI & ML software libraries, platforms and environments, including PyTorch, Tensorflow, and CUDA.

Familiarity with common digital cultural heritage platforms and APIs, including IIIF (International Image Interoperability Framework)

Knowledge of common neural network architectures and approaches, including Transformers-based approaches in textual, visual, and multi-modal contexts.

Certifications and Licenses:

None

Physical Requirements:

• Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.
• Frequently sit, grasp lightly/fine manipulation.
• Occasionally stand/walk, writing by hand.
• Rarely use a telephone, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.

* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.

Working Conditions:

• May work extended hours, evening and weekends.

Work Standards:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, ;/li>

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Stanford welcomes applications from all who would bring additional dimensions to the University's research, teaching and clinical missions. We believe Stanford's future success will be shaped by the diverse perspectives, unique experiences, and inclusive culture of its community.

The expected pay range for this position is $137,000.00 to $180,000.00 per annum.
Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Why Stanford is for You:

Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:

Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, and course auditing. Join a TedTalk, watch a film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.

A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.

A healthier you. Choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We provide excellent health care benefits.

Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.

Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more.