Civic Science Fellow - School of Social Science - 18 month appointment

Institute for Advanced Study•Princeton, NJ

29d

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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
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