At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct research on AI governance and redesign institutional frameworks for the digital age.
- Company: Innovative research programme focused on AI and institutional design.
- Benefits: Equity, salary, flexible work options, and opportunities for academic affiliation.
- Other info: Join a startup culture where your research directly influences product development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of governance with cutting-edge research in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: PhD or equivalent in relevant fields; strong writing and analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.
The Research Program Intelligent Institutions builds practical infrastructure, but the intellectual foundation is a research program. Our core thesis is that bureaucracy is a contingent institutional form — produced by specific historical primitives (implicit rules, human-only processing, centralized trust) — and that new primitives (AI-assisted encoding, scalable execution, independent verification) make fundamentally different institutional architectures possible. This is not AI governance in the compliance sense. This is the study of how institutions themselves can be redesigned when AI becomes a governance primitive. The long-term ambition is a machine-readable corpus of governance protocols: the conditions for institutional design to become an empirical science.
What You'll Work On
- Institutional analysis — Studying how existing institutions encode authority, allocate discretion, handle exceptions, and produce accountability — and identifying where these structures break down under AI-mediated execution.
- Protocol formalization — Working with our engineering team to translate real institutional processes into formally specified protocols. Identifying patterns, failure modes, and compositional structures across jurisdictions and institutional types.
- Framework development — Advancing the analytical foundations — the structural mismatch between inherited institutions and networked, AI-mediated systems. Drawing on cybernetics, institutional economics, political theory, and design.
- Comparative research — Studying governance across institutional types and scales — cooperatives, municipalities, national systems — to build the empirical base for understanding what generalizes and what doesn't.
- Publishing and field-building — Writing for both academic and practitioner audiences. Establishing the intellectual foundations of a field that is still being defined.
Who You Are
- You hold (or are pursuing) a PhD or equivalent research depth in one or more of: institutional economics, political science, public administration, STS, computational social science, legal informatics, cybernetics, or a related field.
- You can write with precision and clarity for multiple audiences.
- You are comfortable with formal or structured representations of institutional rules — or eager to learn.
- You are comfortable in a startup environment where research informs product and product informs research.
Bonus
- Field research experience — especially in governance contexts in the Global South.
- Familiarity with AI safety, alignment, or responsible AI discourse (as a lens, not a destination).
- Computational skills: Python, data analysis, knowledge graphs, or NLP.
- Spanish, Portuguese, or French language ability.
- Prior involvement with GovAI, the Oxford Internet Institute, Code for America, UNDP Digital, or equivalent institutions.
Compensation & Structure
This role can be structured as a full‑time research position (equity + salary) or as a research fellowship (12‑month term with renewal). We are open to affiliations with academic institutions.
How to Apply
Send a writing sample and a short note explaining what you think is most underexplored about institutional design in the agentic era.
Researcher — Digital & AI-Native Governance employer: I I
Intelligent Institutions is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and inclusivity in the realm of civic governance. With a remote-friendly work culture, employees enjoy flexibility while contributing to meaningful projects that enhance public service. The company prioritises professional growth, offering opportunities for leadership development and collaboration with diverse teams, making it an ideal place for those passionate about impactful design in governance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Researcher — Digital & AI-Native Governance
✨Get Involved in Research Communities
Dive headfirst into the scientific research world by joining relevant communities and forums. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and even attend conferences or seminars in your field. This not only boosts your visibility but can also lead to potential job opportunities—don't forget to connect with like-minded folks!
✨Show Off Your Research Projects
Have you worked on any cool research projects? Make it easy for potential employers to see your work by creating a portfolio or a personal website. This way, when you apply for roles like the one at I I, you can point them to your projects and publications, showcasing your expertise directly.
✨Utilise Professional Networks
Networking is key in scientific research. Join professional bodies or organisations related to your field. They often have job boards and resources tailored for job seekers. Make connections with professionals who may know about openings or can give you tips on landing a full-time position.
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Don’t just rely on job boards! Keep an eye on the careers section of the websites of companies like I I. Apply directly through their website because sometimes they post jobs there before anywhere else. Plus, it shows your proactive approach!
We think you need these skills to ace Researcher — Digital & AI-Native Governance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Research Experience:When applying for a full-time role in scientific research, make sure to emphasise your research experience prominently in your CV. Share specific projects you’ve worked on, the methodologies you used, and any significant findings. If you’ve published papers or presented at conferences, definitely include that too – it shows you’re on it in the academic world!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Research Area:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the specific area of research at I I. Mention relevant experiences that align with the organisation’s goals or projects. This shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position – plus, it helps us see how you’d fit into the team dynamics.
Showcase Your Data Analysis Skills:In scientific research, data analysis skills are a big deal! Make sure to detail any relevant analytical tools or software you’re familiar with, like R, Python, or statistical packages. Employers are keen to know you can handle the data-heavy elements of the role, so add specific examples where you’ve used these skills effectively.
Discuss Your Future Research Goals:In your motivation section, it’s a great idea to talk about your future research goals and how they align with the work being done at I I. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but rather a chance to contribute meaningfully to the field. We love to see applicants who are forward-thinking and enthusiastic about their research journey!
How to prepare for a job interview at I I
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
In scientific research, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to design and conduct experiments. Come armed with examples of past projects where you've developed hypotheses, collected data, and analysed results. Be ready to discuss any specific methodologies or tools you’ve used, like PCR techniques or statistical software.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions specific to your field. Make sure you're up to speed with recent advancements in scientific research related to the role at I I. Brush up on concepts relevant to their projects and be prepared to discuss how you would approach a specific research problem or challenge they might face.
✨Know Your Publications
If you've authored or co-authored any papers, be prepared to discuss them! Highlighting your contributions to published research can really set you apart. It shows not only your expertise but also your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, which is key in scientific research roles.
✨Exhibit Your Team Spirit
In full-time roles, collaboration is often at the heart of scientific research. Prepare examples that show how you've successfully worked in teams, dealt with conflicts, or contributed to group projects. We want to know how you can work effectively with the team at I I to drive research projects forward.
