Johns Hopkins University creates first AI Specialist role to lead responsible use in research
The Sheridan Libraries at Johns Hopkins are hiring their first AI Specialist to guide ethical and effective AI integration across teaching, research, and digital services.
Cynthia Hudson Vitale, associate dean for technology strategy and digital services at Johns Hopkins University, took to social media to announce a new position at the university’s Sheridan Libraries.
The institution is hiring its first AI Specialist, a remote role focused on developing and leading responsible AI initiatives in research and scholarly communication.
Johns Hopkins University, a Baltimore-based research institution known for its work in science, technology, and medicine, said the role will help faculty, students, and research teams use AI responsibly, ethically, and effectively. The position reports to the manager of digital scholarship and data services and is classified as a full-time, remote appointment.
Hudson Vitale wrote: “We are hiring our first AI Specialist at the Sheridan Libraries! This remote role will lead our emerging AI initiatives focused on public services.”
Building capacity for responsible AI use
According to the job listing, the AI Specialist will be responsible for shaping how the academic community engages with artificial intelligence, guiding the integration of tools like machine learning and natural language processing into research workflows. The position emphasizes responsible use and ethical frameworks aligned with institutional standards.
Key duties include leading AI workshops, building online tutorials and code notebooks, and collaborating with university partners including the Data Science and AI Institute, the Center for Teaching Excellence and Innovation, and IT@JH. The specialist will also develop AI staff training programs within the libraries to ensure librarians are equipped to support patron inquiries about AI tools and ethics.
The role requires demonstrated knowledge of generative AI and related systems, experience teaching or developing AI instructional materials, and familiarity with the ethical, legal, and social implications of AI use in research. Proficiency with programming languages such as Python and frameworks including TensorFlow or Hugging Face is also listed among the desired technical qualifications.
The successful candidate will also be expected to collaborate across the university to design ethical integration strategies, attribution guidelines for AI-generated content, and compliance approaches consistent with disciplinary standards.
The university notes that the position is “ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of computation, scholarly inquiry, and public responsibility.”
Supporting AI readiness in academia
Johns Hopkins describes the role as part of its wider effort to support responsible innovation in higher education. The Sheridan Libraries’ AI initiatives are designed to help researchers and students engage with emerging technologies while maintaining transparency and accountability in their use.
The AI Specialist will also perform outreach across departments to identify new research needs and help academic teams adapt to evolving AI capabilities.
Hudson Vitale concludes: “Please reach out if you'd like to learn more!”
