About Us Partnership on AI is the leading forum addressing the most important and difficult decisions on the future of AI.

We are a non-profit that invites diverse voices into the process of technical governance, design, and deployment of AI technologies.

Our essential Partners work together across industry, academia, and civil society to understand the implications of AI advancements and ensure they benefit society equitably.

Through dialogue, insight, education, and guidance, PAI informs responsible AI solutions and identifies opportunities to address humanity’s pressing challenges.

Role Summary PAI is seeking a Senior or Staff Research Scientist (Qualitative) to join our Programs and Research team, reporting to the Chief Programs & Insights Officer. This senior, cross-programmatic role focuses on advancing qualitative research methodologies that inclusively center human experiences and community voices in AI development and governance. This Senior Research Scientist will play a highly visible role, collaborating with Partners to shape how advanced AI systems are developed, deployed, and governed through evidence-based qualitative insights.

In this role, you'll lead and advance the impact of PAI's Guidelines for Participatory and Inclusive AI, working with our global community of Partners to implement participatory engagement practices that ensure AI development serves and represents all stakeholders affected by its impacts. You'll be the staff lead supporting SAIGE (our new independent expert advisory council), support applied qualitative research projects across our Programs & Research and Policy teams and explore new potential areas still to be determined, for example, environmental sustainability and AI's climate impact. Working alongside program heads and teams across PAI's initiatives, you'll conduct rigorous qualitative research that informs policy, industry practices, and public understanding of AI's societal implications.

What You'll Do Qualitative Research Leadership

• Lead and advise on applied qualitative research initiatives examining AI's impacts on society, with particular attention to participatory and inclusive methodologies; methods could include ethnographic fieldwork, in-depth interviews, focus groups, and participatory action research
• Develop novel qualitative frameworks for understanding AI's societal implications, particularly in emerging areas
• Author/co-author peer-reviewed research papers, policy briefs, and accessible reports that translate qualitative insights into actionable recommendations for industry, policymakers, and civil society

Strategic Program Development

• Drive forward the implementation and impact of PAI's Guidelines for Participatory and Inclusive AI through research-driven case studies with Partner organizations
• Strategic management and facilitation for SAIGE, PAI's independent expert advisory council, ensuring diverse expert perspectives inform PAI's agenda-setting and impact
• Lead or support applied qualitative research projects across PAI's program areas including AI and Media Integrity, AI Labor and Economy, Safety, and Public Policy
• Identify and develop new research areas to be determined, for example, environmental topics and sustainability implications of AI systems
• Support evidence-based assessment of PAI’s approach and theory of change
• Support PAI’s global growth and support for international inclusion in its multistakeholder partnership, ensuring attention for underrepresented perspectives and voices

Cross-functional Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate closely with program heads and policy team to integrate qualitative insights into PAI's multistakeholder approach
• Lead collaborative research partnerships with academic institutions, civil society organizations, and industry Partners to advance programmatic work
• Represent PAI at select conferences (e.g., FAccT, AIES, RightsCon) and other venues, presenting findings and methodological innovations
• Mentor team members on inclusive and participatory research methods, building internal capacity for qualitative methods and community-centered approaches to AI research, and supporting continuous improvement of facilitation and inclusion practices within PAI’s work
• Support the partnership development team to identify and secure collaborators and funders for qualitative research initiatives; delivering funder reports and updates

Strategic Communication and Impact

• Translate rigorous findings into clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences, including industry and civil society leaders, policymakers, and affected communities
• Lead development of accessible research outputs including reports, case studies, frameworks, and tools
• Support strategic communications efforts to amplify PAI's qualitative research and increase adoption of participatory methodologies in AI development, as well as articulating the applied social science methodological approach and impact of PAI’s theory of change

Preferred Qualifications Research Excellence

• PhD in relevant social science or interdisciplinary field (e.g., anthropology, sociology, science and technology studies, human-computer interaction, communication studies, information and media studies) plus 5+ years of post-PhD research experience, or Master's degree plus 8+ years of applied research experience
• Subject matter expertise relevant to PAI's program areas including AI and media integrity, AI labor and economy, safety-critical AI, fairness and accountability, or inclusive research and design
• Demonstrated expertise in qualitative research methodologies including ethnographic methods, participatory action research, community-based participatory research, and mixed-methods approaches
• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals and conferences, with evidence of research leadership and methodological innovation
• Experience working as a researcher outside academic settings (e.g., in industry or non-profit settings)
• Experience conducting research with marginalized or vulnerable communities, with demonstrated commitment to ethical and culturally responsive research practices

AI and Technology Focus

• Deep understanding of AI technologies, their development processes, and societal implications, with ability to critically analyze sociotechnical systems
• Experience researching technology adoption, digital inequality, algorithmic governance, or technology policy from qualitative perspectives
• Familiarity with interdisciplinary approaches to technology research, including Science and Technology Studies (STS), Critical Algorithm Studies, or Digital Anthropology
• Knowledge of AI ethics, responsible AI frameworks, and participatory design methodologies

Leadership and Collaboration

• Demonstrated experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder research initiatives with diverse partners across academia, industry, and civil society
• Strong project management skills with ability to coordinate multiple concurrent research workstreams and external partnerships
• Experience mentoring researchers, managing research teams, or leading collaborative research projects
• Proven ability to work effectively in mission-driven organizations and navigate complex stakeholder environments

Preferred Leadership Competencies

• Champion of equity, diversity, and inclusion both internally and externally.
• Selflessly models the ethical values of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to work across sectors, including in corporate, civil society, advocacy, and academia
• Relationship and consensus-building skills, including experience managing coalitions and diverse communities
• Comfortable operating at (and pivoting between) high-level strategic vision and detailed, tactical execution

QUALITIES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO US

• Builds Trust: Able to be transparent by being authentic, conveying trust and communicating openly while involving key stakeholders in decision-making.
• Visionary: Able to take a long-term perspective, conveying a belief in an outcome, and displaying the confidence to reach goals
• Inspirational: Able to inspire and motivate others in a positive manner
• Courageous: Able to seek out opportunities for continuous improvement, and fearless in intervening in challenging situations
• Decisive: Able to make informed decisions in a timely fashion
• Personal Development: Able to seek opportunities for individual personal development

Other Considerations

• Based in the US or Canada
• Willing and able to travel domestically and internationally, work virtually, and collaborate remotely

Additional Information We know that research has shown that some potential applicants will submit an application only when they feel that they have met close to all of the qualifications for a role—we encourage you to take a leap of faith with us and submit your application as long as you are passionate about working to make a real impact on responsible AI. We are very interested in hearing from a diverse pool of candidates.

PAI offers a generous paid leave and benefits package, currently including: Twenty vacation days; three personal reflection days; sick leave and family leave above industry standards; high-quality PPO and HMO health insurance plans, many 100% covered by PAI; Dental and vision insurance 100% covered by PAI; up to a 7% 401K match, vested immediately; automatic cell phone reimbursement ($75/month); up to $1,000 in professional development funds annually; $150 per month to access co-working space; regular team lunches & focused work days; opportunities to attend AI related conferences and events and to collaborate with our partners across industry, academia and civil society. Please refer to our careers page for an updated list of benefits.

Must be eligible to work in the United States or Canada; we are unable to sponsor visas at this time.

PAI is headquartered in San Francisco, with a global membership base and scope. This role is eligible for remote work within the United States and Canada with no requirement to be located in San Francisco.

PAI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment in all aspects of employment, including recruiting, hiring, promoting, training, education assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, and all privileges and conditions of employment. Employment decisions at PAI are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications.

PAI will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance or similar laws.

The Partnership on AI may become subject to certain governmental record keeping and reporting requirements for the administration of civil rights laws and regulations. We also track diversity in our workforce for the purpose of improving over time. In order to comply with these goals, the Partnership on AI invites employees to voluntarily self-identify their gender and race/ethnicity. Submission of this information is voluntary and refusal to provide it will not jeopardize or adversely affect employment or any consideration you may receive for employment or advancement. The information obtained will be kept confidential.

How To Apply To apply please send a cover letter and resume, along with a 2-5 page writing sample (please append to cover letter). This can be any writing for which you were primarily an author; AI-related, published samples preferred if available

Applications may be accepted after the deadline on a rolling basis until the role is filled. Only complete applications will be reviewed. This job description is subject to periodic revisions in accordance with the evolving needs of the organization The Pay Range For This Role Is 150,000 - 166,000 USD per year(Remote (United States))

150,000 - 166,000 USD per year(Remote (Canada))