Position overview

The AI Objectives Institute seeks a mission-driven researcher to contribute to research and decision-making on the economic and societal impacts of AI. This remote-friendly position reports to the Institute's Director of Research and involves conducting research, designing and executing studies, and evaluating policy implications of experimental outcomes. The role offers the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research at the intersection of economics, technology policy, and AI governance.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Conduct rigorous research with a focus on the diffusion of innovation and its consequences, including historical analysis and development of measurement methodologies

• Perform literature reviews at the intersection of AI economics, technology adoption, and societal impact

• Analyze policy implications of economic outcomes

• Design and implement data-collection strategies and experiments

• Publish research papers contributing to the understanding of AI's economic implications

• Develop scenario modeling frameworks to project potential economic outcomes from technical AI research

• Collaborate with diverse stakeholders across central banking, academia, and major AI companies

• Present findings at workshops, conferences, and stakeholder briefings

Senior fellows will be expected to manage their own research projects. A successful senior fellow could mentor junior researchers and grow into leading a team.

Required qualifications

All Research roles at AOI demand strong analytical capabilities, exceptional communication skills in both spoken and written formats, and the capacity to collaborate successfully within diverse, cross-functional teams.

• Senior Fellow: Advanced degree (PhD or equivalent research experience) in Economics or closely related field

• Junior Fellow: Degree in Economics or closely related field (or equivalent research experience)

• Demonstrated ability to use both established economic models and advanced methods (e.g., causal inference, complexity economics)

• Familiarity with AI governance and policy landscape

• Ability to quickly and independently get up to speed on technical AI concepts, including post-training, reward modelling, and preference elicitation

• Proven record of independent research and publication

Preferred qualifications

• Prior experience in innovation economics, technology adoption, impacts of emerging technology, or related fields

• Strong quantitative skills and proficiency with one or more statistical analysis frameworks (e.g., Python, R)

• Experience working with interdisciplinary teams and external stakeholders

• Experience with scenario modeling and forecasting methodologies

• Fluency in technical discussion of current-generation AI development

• Experience working directly with policymakers or in policy analyst roles

• Publication record in relevant journals or policy venues

About the AI Objectives Institute

The AI Objectives Institute is a nonprofit R&D lab decoding and realigning the incentives that shape AI futures. We study how to maximize the benefits of large-scale systems – including AI, markets, and bureaucracies – to advance humanity's interests. Founded by the late internet pioneer Dr. Peter Eckersley, the Institute brings together academics, scientists, economists, entrepreneurs, and government officials to facilitate the selection of more beneficial systemic objectives. We build tools, conduct experiments, and design processes that promote better outcomes at the intersection of social systems, markets, and AI progress.

Application Process

Please submit an application by filling out the form linked below. We are looking for an immediate hire, so applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.