Civic Science Fellow - School of Social Science - 18 month appointment

Position Summary

The Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) is seeking a 2026–27 Civic Science Fellow to advance understanding of the social, democratic, and scientific implications of artificial intelligence. The full-time, 18-month position is based in the Science, Technology, and Social Values Lab, led by Harold F. Linder Professor of Social Science Alondra Nelson. Working closely with Professor Nelson and Lab members, the Fellow will contribute to research and policy analysis, and to scholarly and public-facing publications, and support multidisciplinary, multisector initiatives at the intersection of AI, science, and governance.
 

Essential Job Duties

Nelson Science, Technology, and Social Values Lab (75%)

• Conduct original research contributing to the Lab's core agenda on AI and society
• Research and synthesize scholarly literature on the social implications of AI, sociotechnical approaches to AI governance, and the epistemological implications of AI in research and scholarship
• Contribute to policy research articulating innovative standards and governance mechanisms for AI deployment that strengthen democratic practice and institutions
• Participate in and help organize convenings and working group meetings that generate policy research on evaluation frameworks and best practices for AI  governance
• Collaborate on manuscripts, reports, and grant proposals advancing the Lab's research agenda
• Support editorial development of scholarly publications, including manuscript preparation and review, revision coordination, and submission
• Develop and edit public-facing content drawn from the Lab’s research, including essays, policy briefs, and digital materials

In Support of the Fellow's Professional Development (25%)

• Pursue independent research and scholarly work aligned with the Fellow's own intellectual agenda
• Build professional networks across academic, policy, civic, and media sectors relevant to the Fellow's research interests
• Gain experience in research policy engagement through working group participation, public forums, and the Lab's ongoing initiatives
• Participate fully in the intellectual life of IAS, including seminars, workshops, and interdisciplinary discussions that deepen the Fellow's expertise in AI governance and related fields

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in the social sciences, sciences, or humanities
• Extensive experience in scholarly research and writing, with a record of publication on the social implications of science and technology or related fields
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, including the ability to translate complex ideas for academic and non-academic audiences
• Ability to draft original correspondence, reports, briefings, and summaries, and to condense and synthesize academic research and policy documents
• Strong analytical and organizational abilities
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Capacity to work independently across multiple projects, prioritizing and adapting flexibly
• Sound judgment and discretion when working with sensitive and confidential information
• Ability to establish and maintain rapport with IAS Faculty and Staff in a professional academic setting
• Ability to work collaboratively with an existing team

Preferred Qualifications

• Specialization in science and technology studies, organizational studies, science and technology policy, qualitative methodologies, or a closely related field
• Demonstrated engagement with debates in AI governance, technology policy, or the political economy of emerging technologies
• Experience writing for multiple genres and audiences, including scholarly publications, policy documents, and public-facing work
• Experience working across academic, policy, or civic sectors
• Demonstrated ability to advance complex, multi-stakeholder research initiatives
• A record of independent intellectual contributions within collaborative research settings

The Institute for Advanced Study retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position at any time.

To perform this role successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

The anticipated pay for this position is $7,277.77 per month.  We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; short- and long-term disability coverage; flexible spending accounts; paid holidays; NJ Paid Sick Leave accrual; tuition assistance; retirement plans; and an employee assistance program.

For consideration, please provide a cover letter with your resume.

The Institute for Advanced Study is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About the Institute

Since its founding in 1930, the Institute for Advanced Study has served as a model for protecting and promoting independent inquiry, prompting the establishment of similar institutes around the world, and underscoring the importance of academic freedom worldwide. Current philanthropic support and a reliable stream of endowment-generated revenue allow its permanent Faculty and visiting researchers (known as Members) to freely determine the course of their study. The Institute’s mission and culture have produced an exceptional record of achievement. Among its present and past Faculty and Members are 37 Nobel Laureates, 46 of the 64 Fields Medalists, and 25 of the 29 Abel Prize Laureates, as well as many MacArthur Fellows and Wolf Prize winners.