MIT Beaver Works - Cogworks Teaching Assistant

Teaching Assistants (TA) are needed for a 4-week long summer program, the MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI), being taught virtually. BWSI is a rigorous STEM program for talented high school students from across the country. The TA will be contributing to the Autonomous Cognitive Assistant Course (commonly referred to as Cog*Works). Cog*Works uses project-based learning to immerse students in exciting applications of modern machine learning and data science. It guides students to develop powerful software applications akin to those that power cognitive assistants (e.g. Siri, Cortana, and Alexa). 

TAs for this course will have the opportunity to develop machine learning based algorithms in support of the course’s curriculum and will aid in teaching the students throughout the summer session. This position provides candidates with excellent experience in project-based software development and prototyping, deep learning, data analysis, teaching, and team management. Cog*Works culminates in teams of students prototyping their own “cognitive assistant skill” projects, and competing in a science fair like setting. The TAs are heavily involved in guiding teams through this process. 

The TAs will assist the instructors in the day-to-day coursework, give lectures, revise lecture and capstone project materials, and be the resident ‘expert’ within each student team. The program runs from July 7 to August 3 2025, Monday to Friday, from 8AM to 5PM EST to teach the course virtually alongside Lincoln Laboratory instructors. There will also be expectations that TAs attend weekly hour-long preparatory virtual meetings throughout June, leading up to the course. 

Job Requirements 

Applicants should be undergraduate or graduate school students in an engineering, science and/or math course of study. An expertise in Python for STEM-related applications is necessary, as is a history of completing technical projects (including both research and personal projects alike). Familiarity with machine learning algorithms, including deep learning methods, is desired. Successful applicants will have and eagerness to teach and encourage students to develop challenging technical skills. 

If interested in applying fill out application at the following website: 

https://mit-bwsi.formstack.com/forms/beaverworks_job_application_2025

A brief resume will be needed to complete the application. 

For any questions please contact bwsi-admin@mit.edu.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against applicants due to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. You must be a U.S. Citizen or have authority to work in the U.S. in order to be considered for this position.