Online Learning Designer / EdTech Developer (Part-time Consultant

Location: Remote

Start Date: January 2027

Project: Preparing Students for Responsible AI Futures

Funding Source: American University of Sharjah Faculty Research Grant (FRG26)

Principal Investigator: Dr. Neslihan Bilikozen, Department of English, American University of Sharjah

Co-Investigator: Dr. Maria Eleftheriou, Department of English, American University of Sharjah

Compensation: AED 30,000–50,000 (total project fee, depending on experience, agreed scope, and deliverables. 

Estimated Engagement: Approximately 300–350 hours total across the project, with involvement varying by phase and depending on the final agreed scope. Module development is expected to take place primarily during 2027, followed by implementation and student piloting in 2027–2028. Some ongoing involvement will be required during and after implementation for technical checks, troubleshooting, and revisions. Payment will be made in stages against agreed project milestones and deliverables. 

Position Overview: The project team is seeking an experienced Online Learning Designer and Educational Technology Developer to support the development and implementation of online Critical AI Literacy modules for higher education students.

The project team will develop the research-informed academic content and learning objectives. Working closely with the Principal Investigator, Co-Investigator, Graduate Research Assistants, and other project personnel, the successful candidate will translate this material into accessible, engaging, and technically functional online learning experiences.

The role requires hands-on responsibility for building the modules, producing and integrating digital and multimedia elements, and configuring and testing the completed materials in iLearn/Blackboard Ultra.

Key Responsibilities:

• Translate content and learning objectives supplied by the project team into effective online learning experiences.
• Develop approximately five interactive, self-contained online modules using suitable digital authoring tools.
• Build scenario-based activities, interactive exercises, knowledge checks, self-assessment tasks, and automated feedback.
• Produce and integrate appropriate multimedia elements, including graphics, video, audio, captions, and transcripts.
• Integrate, configure, and test the modules in iLearn/Blackboard Ultra.
• Ensure that the modules meet relevant accessibility and inclusive-design requirements.
• Ensure compatibility with institutionally approved educational technologies.
• Conduct technical and usability testing and resolve identified issues.
• Provide technical support during the student pilot.
• Configure appropriate completion and learner-engagement data within the LMS, where feasible.
• Implement technical and design revisions following testing and feedback.
• Prepare basic documentation to support the future maintenance and updating of the modules.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• An advanced degree or substantial professional experience in Educational Technology, Learning Design, Instructional Design, Digital Education, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience designing and developing online or blended learning materials in higher education.
• Experience building and integrating learning materials in Blackboard Ultra, Canvas, Moodle, or a comparable learning management system.
• Experience using digital authoring tools to create interactive online learning resources.
• Experience producing and integrating multimedia learning materials.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards, universal design for learning, and inclusive digital learning practices.
• Strong technical troubleshooting, project-management, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to translate academic content and pedagogical objectives into clear and engaging digital learning experiences.
  

Desirable Experience:

Experience in one or more of the following areas would be an advantage:

• Blackboard Ultra and iLearn integration
• Generative AI or AI in education
• Scenario-based and interactive learning design
• Digital assessment and automated feedback
• Student-facing online course development
• LMS analytics and learner-engagement data
• Multimedia learning-resource development
• Accessibility testing and inclusive digital design

Contract Details:

• Part-time, deliverables-based consultancy associated with a funded research project.
• Remote work is possible; flexible working arrangements may be considered.
• Estimated start: January 2027
• Estimated total engagement: approximately 300–350 hours across all project phases.

Module development is expected to take place primarily during 2027, followed by implementation and student piloting in 2027–2028. Some ongoing involvement will be required during and after

implementation for technical checks, troubleshooting, and revisions. 

Application Details:

Interested candidates should submit:

• A curriculum vitae
• A brief statement describing relevant experience
• Examples or a portfolio of relevant online learning, LMS, educational technology, or instructional-design projects
• A brief indication of availability
  

Contact:

To express interest or recommend a candidate, please contact:

Dr. Neslihan Bilikozen

nbilikozen@aus.edu

Dr. Maria Eleftheriou

meleftheriou@aus.edu