Description

Position Summary

The Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) is seeking a 2026 Civic Science Fellow for The Public's Science initiative, a collaborative effort with a leading research center to foster a new social contract for American research policy. This initiative seeks to reimagine scientific research as a genuinely public endeavor—one oriented toward inclusive participation and serving not only national interests but also the diverse communities that sustain and are affected by the scientific enterprise. 

The full-time, 18-month Fellow will serve as a key member of the Science, Technology, and Social Values Lab in the School of Social Science at IAS, led by Harold F. Linder Professor Alondra Nelson at IAS, and work collaboratively with a team from the partnering institution led by its founding director.  The Fellow will develop digital infrastructure for public engagement, support editorial development of scholarly publications, conduct research on participatory governance models, and cultivate relationships across the emerging community of practice working to advance public science.

Essential Job Duties

In support of The Public’s Science Initiative (75%)

      Design and implement a digital platform for The Public's Science that facilitates public input and fosters ongoing dialogue through discussion forums, community feedback mechanisms on emerging policy proposals, livestreaming and archiving of convenings, and interactive tools for exploring alternative research governance models

      Develop, curate, and edit content for the platform, including short-form essays, summaries of academic research for the public, and multimedia materials that translate complex ideas for diverse audiences

      Support the development of essays for The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science special issue and the final policy document "Towards The Public’s Science: The Next Seventy-Five Years," including coordinating peer review, managing revision cycles, working with authors to strengthen arguments and accessibility, ensuring coherence across contributions from diverse disciplinary backgrounds, and writing summaries that make academic ideas accessible to broader audiences

      Research and synthesize scholarly literature on participatory research governance, international research policy models, case studies of successful public engagement in research priority-setting, or as needed by Public Science Committees; conduct informational interviews with relevant experts and practitioners

      Cultivate relationships across the emerging community of practice, identifying additional voices that should be included and facilitating connections between participants working on complementary aspects of public science

      Collaborate on the preparation of manuscripts, reports, and proposals related to the initiative

      Travel to meetings, seminars, and conferences as needed to advance the initiative's goals

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

      Develop expertise in public scholarship and science communication through mentorship, workshops, and practice translating research for diverse audiences, including policymakers, journalists, and civil society

      Build professional networks across academic, policy, civic, and media sectors through The Public's Science initiative, connecting with researchers, science  leaders, policy practitioners, science communicators, and civic organizations working to reimagine the social contract for American research

      Gain experience in research policy engagement through The Public's Science Committee work, public forums, and development of the initiative's policy framework for a new social contract for American research

      Participate fully in the intellectual life of IAS, including seminars, workshops, and interdisciplinary research discussions that deepen expertise in science policy and public engagement

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

      M.A./M.S. in science writing, multimedia journalism, or science and health journalism or Ph.D. in the social sciences, sciences, or humanities

      Demonstrated experience in digital communications, including content development, platform management, and online community engagement

      Excellent writing and editing skills, with ability to translate complex ideas for diverse audiences

      Strong analytical, planning, and organizational abilities

      Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills

      Ability to draft original correspondence, reports, abstracts, briefings, and summaries; and to condense and synthesize academic and non-academic research, policy documents, and other materials

      Strong demonstrated interest in the social, cultural, and political implications of science and technology

      Capacity to work independently on multiple projects by prioritizing, multi-tasking, and adapting flexibly

      Sound judgment and discretion when working with sensitive and confidential information

      Ability to establish and maintain rapport with Faculty and Staff in an academic and professional setting

      Ability to work collaboratively with an existing team, managing multiple deadlines and a high volume of requests 

Preferred Qualifications

      Experience in some aspect of the social implications of science and technology (science and technology studies; science, technology, and ethics; science and technology policy; science communication, participatory-based science research, etc.)

      Extensive writing and research experience

      Established record of publication

      Experience developing or managing digital platforms, online communities, or public engagement initiatives

      Experience in program or project management

      Strategic, entrepreneurial, and forward-looking thinker who takes initiative 

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.

This is a grant-funded position; the annual salary is $86,667 the total compensation for this 18-month appointment is $131,000. 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.

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 24 of the 28 Abel Prize Laureates, as well as many MacArthur Fellows and Wolf Prize winners.