Data & Policy Graduate Fellow - AI Policy & Public Projects

New Jersey Innovation Authority•New Brunswick, NJ

16h

About The Position

The New Jersey State Office of Innovation is seeking diverse and experienced team members to deploy world-class innovative and digital services that solve pressing public interest challenges for the people of New Jersey. Our work spans numerous issue and policy areas, and is focused on making an impact in the lives of the New Jerseyans that we serve. Our work has decreased the amount of time it takes to apply for Unemployment Insurance, made it easier to start, operate, and grow a business in the Garden State, and connected millions of New Jerseyans to government programs, services, and benefits. Our team members wear many hats, contributing to both the execution of core projects and the evolution of the Office of Innovation (OOI). We use data and modern research, design, and development methods to inform our decision making, and we collaborate with stakeholders within and outside of government to understand and solve challenges. This fellowship will run from June 2026 – August 2026. We are supporting several large-scale public projects with policy research and project planning elements. The team is piloting tools for analysis and regulation, including some in-house tools. The team is also supporting large-scale public development projects with research and planning efforts related to AI usage in academic research and education. The applicant will be expected to contribute to these efforts, from research and planning to project implementation.

Requirements

Currently pursuing or recently graduated from a graduate program related to public policy, technology, engineering, and other related fields. Strong applicants who are recently or are currently graduating with a bachelor's degree will also be considered.
Familiarity with policy documents, regulatory systems, and legislative processes, and the ability to understand and communicate key points from complex governance materials to different audiences.
Experience using generative AI tools for research, including a detailed understanding of how they function, customizing their application, and understanding their risks and capabilities.
Familiarity with the academic research enterprise, K-12 and higher education, and high performance computing.
Experience solving complex problems through the use of human-centered design, agile iterative development, and data-driven decision making.
Proven skill in tackling problems with curiosity, engaging in inquiry, and understanding user needs to develop optimal solutions.
Dedicated to advancing the mission of the NJ Innovation Authority and public service, with a strong commitment to accessibility and fostering a more inclusive society.
Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Hands-on experience with policy research and analysis.
Deep applied understanding of LLMs and their usage.
Experience with large-scale project planning and coordination.

Responsibilities

Contribute to large-scale public projects, from research and planning to project implementation.
Perform research, participate in meetings, and coordinate stakeholders to align the project with the needs of New Jerseyans for centralized computing resources initiative.
Support in using LLM tools for research and lead stakeholder engagement to identify opportunities for alleviating burdens on residents and businesses in NJ for legislation and regulatory analysis.
Develop and execute research plans to answer complex problems with coordination of multiple stakeholders, including desk research, interviews, survey development, and other modalities.
Use generative AI tools for research, including a detailed understanding of how they function, customizing their application, and understanding their risks and capabilities.
Solve complex problems through the use of human-centered design, agile iterative development, and data-driven decision making.
Tackle problems with curiosity, engage in inquiry, and understand user needs to develop optimal solutions.