Research Fellow, AI & The Future of Social Conversation
About New_Public
We're a nonprofit R&D lab that's reimagining social media. Join us in building digital public spaces that connect people, embrace pluralism, and build community.
We are researchers, engineers, designers, and community leaders who want more healthy, flourishing spaces on the internet. We have three primary strategies to achieve this: helping local communities across America create more flourishing digital spaces, developing prototypes for digital conversation with public service media organizations, and developing and sharing ideas through research to support our field.
We work by partnering and co-designing with community stewards (moderators, administrators) and public institutions. We're in this to serve, remove obstacles to power, and make life significantly better for all people, especially folks from underestimated communities. We think this work is essential for democracy.
About the role
We are seeking a curious and dynamic Research Fellow for a short-term, high-impact project exploring emerging trends in online conversation and in particular how artificial intelligence will shape its future.
As a Research Fellow, you'll directly inform New_Public's early product strategies, establish collaborative relationships with leading thinkers in technology and online community design, and publish work that influences the field of digital public space
You will work directly with New_Public's Co-Director, Eli Pariser, as a key thought partner and co-author. Your role will be to dive deep into the current landscape, help convene and engage a cohort of external experts, and synthesize findings into a final report that will inform our strategy and contribute a vital perspective to the field. We're looking for someone who can move fast, think critically, and help us understand not just what’s happening now, but what’s coming next.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct primary and secondary research on product and consumer trends shaping social media and online communities (AI moderation, algorithmic curation, voice & audio social).
- Find, analyze, and synthesize large volumes of information, pulling out the most critical ideas and under-the-radar insights.
- Organize research materials and collaborate on the structure, narrative, and drafting of a final, public-facing report.
- Engage with a cohort of internal and external experts, helping to facilitate a process of collecting and collating diverse perspectives.
- Present research findings in compelling, creative, and accessible ways for internal teams and external audiences.
About You
- You are an exceptional writer with a clear, accessible voice that breaks through. You know how to tell a compelling story with data and research. Journalism or other storytelling experience is a significant plus.
- You are an experienced researcher, either through academic work or professional experience in fields like technology research, market analysis, or trend forecasting.
- You are a master synthesizer, adept at quickly finding the signal in the noise and distilling complex topics into clear, powerful ideas.
- You are a natural collaborator, able to engage others in a research process and build on their ideas to create something stronger.
- You are deeply interested in the core question of this project: how will technology continue to shape the future of human connection?
- You are proactive, organized, and available to begin work quickly in a fast-paced, startup environment.
More Information
- Location: United States or Canada (fully remote)
- Compensation: $40 per hour for 20-25 hours per week (part-time/non-exempt) for November 2025 through February 2026.
- Reports to: Eli Pariser, Co-Director
The Process & How to Apply
To apply, please submit the following:
- Your resume and a brief cover letter.
- One or two writing samples that showcase your writing style and ability to synthesize information.
- In a separate paragraph, please share your thoughts on one under-considered trend that you believe will shape how people connect online in the next two years.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The interview process will be as follows:
- First Interview: A screening interview with the project lead.
- Exercise: Selected candidates will be invited to complete an exercise. Candidates will be compensated with a $150 Tango gift-card.
- Second Interview: A conversation with other members of the New_Public team.
- Reference Check: We will request contact information for two professional references.
- Offer: We will extend an offer to the candidate who best aligns with the key criteria for this role.
If you're not sure that you're a perfect fit for the role and don't meet every single qualification, we still encourage you to apply! We're primarily interested in meeting candidates who are excited about contributing to the future of healthy digital public spaces, eager to learn, and ready to contribute to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Candidates who are from communities underrepresented in tech are especially encouraged to apply.