Postdoctoral Scholar - Pennsylvania Science & Technology Policy AI Fellow (STP AI Fellow)

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POSITION SPECIFICS

Postdoctoral Scholar - Pennsylvania Science & Technology Policy AI Fellow (STP AI Fellow)

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Science & Technology Policy (COPA-STEP) Program, part of the Law, Policy and Engineering (LPE) Initiative in the College of Engineering, is recruiting for a one-year Science & Technology Policy Fellowship focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI). The STP AI Fellow will embed with the nonpartisan staff of the Joint State Government Commission (JSGC) in Harrisburg, PA, for twelve months starting June 2025. The STP AI Scholar is expected to work in-office at JSGC for the first six months of employment.

The STP AI Fellow will equip the JSGC, the bicameral and bipartisan research agency of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, with the expert knowledge needed to detail comprehensively the current and potential future impact of AI in Pennsylvania and enable the Pennsylvania General Assembly to make sound, data-driven policy and decisions on the social, ethical, and economic implications of this emerging technology.

The Pennsylvania General Assembly is the largest full-time legislature in the nation, and regularly deals with science or technology-related issues, including AI. Yet, legislators and staff, as well as advisory bodies like the JSGC lack science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) expertise. Pennsylvania Science and Technology Policy Fellows help bridge this gap to provide science and technical expertise to lawmakers.

To ensure a successful year, the STP AI Fellow will receive training from LPE/COPA-STEP in Pennsylvania state government, the Pennsylvania policy process, policy writing instruction, communicating science and technology to non-scientific audiences, and on how to be an "honest broker", i.e., providing evidence-based, objective, and nonpartisan advice that helps expand or clarify the choices for decision-making in an unbiased way. The JSGC will manage the day-to-day work of the fellow.

Responsibilities

The primary job functions and responsibilities of the STP AI Fellow are:

• Conduct and synthesize research, write and edit reports, and create policy recommendations on AI or related topics as assigned by the JSGC.

• Meet both in-person and virtually with experts and stakeholders who have experience in the areas of the topic being studied.

• Manage schedule and workflow to ensure reports are completed in a timely manner.

• Work in team settings.

• Assist in preparing meeting materials including presentations and attend meetings, seminars, conferences, and other events at the direction of the JSGC.

• Perform other office and administrative functions as needed.

• Attend training, and weekly or bi-weekly check-ins with LPE/COPA-STEP and provide feedback, as requested. Support occasional LPE/COPA-STEP programming.

Preferred Skills

Preferred candidates will have strong quantitative empirical research and data visualization skills. In addition, preferred candidates will have exceptional writing skills, the ability to communicate with nontechnical audiences and translate complex ideas into easily digestible information, take initiative and manage their time well.

Qualifications

Applicants are required to have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate in an appropriate field and be able to provide evidence that all requirements have been met for completion of the Ph.D. prior to the effective date of hire. Appropriate fields would include Engineering, Computer Science, Political Science and other relevant education. Additionally, a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience is preferred. Employment will require successful completion of background checks in accordance with university policies.

How to Apply

To apply, candidates should provide 1) a cover letter summarizing their background, relevant skills, goals, interest in the position, and their contact information; 2) a current resume; and 3) names and contact information for three references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

BENEFITS

For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

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