GovAI Research Fellowship 2026

The Research Fellow role is designed for researchers who want to shape the future of AI governance by conducting independent, impactful research. Fellows are expected to help drive forward GovAI’s core research priorities while supervising junior researchers.

Your work as a Research Fellow may involve:

• Defining and executing on a research agenda, including bringing new people onto the topic

• Informing policymakers and decision-makers on pressing governance issues

• Producing original research in the form of academic publications, policy memos, reports, or blog posts

• Organizing events that convene key stakeholders around high-priority questions

• Contributing to our research strategy and institutional priorities

• Helping assess prospective new hires for our scholar/fellow roles

We support Research Fellows by providing guidance, access to a broad network of collaborators and opportunities, and resources for research activities and dissemination.

Note: Successful applicants will have substantial research experience in a relevant area. For researchers with less experience, we offer one-year visiting Research Scholar positions designed to support professional development. There is a shared application for both roles, so you need only apply once.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Interview Process
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineAugust 16, 2026
• Study LevelPostdoctoral Fellowships
• SponsorGovernance AI (GovAI)
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

Compensation is based on experience and location. Successful candidates based in London typically receive between £84,000 and £103,500 per year, and those based in Washington, DC typically earn $134,500–$170,000.

We offer additional compensation for candidates in higher cost-of-living regions, such as the San Francisco Bay Area. There may be additional flexibility in compensation in cases where salary considerations would prevent a candidate from accepting an offer.

Other benefits of the role include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• A £5,000 annual wellbeing budget (a salary uplift in lieu of this budget for US-based staff)
• A £5,000 (~$6,500) annual professional development budget 
• A £5,000 (~$6,500) annual childcare budget
• Remote staff get a £4,500 (~$6,000) annual coworking space budget
• Flexible work hours
• Extended parental leave
• Ergonomic equipment
• A 10% employer pension contribution
• 33 days of paid vacation (including public holidays)

Requirements

We are open to candidates with diverse academic and professional backgrounds. Past Fellows have included researchers with experience in computer science, political science, public policy, economics, philosophy, and law, as well as professionals from government, industry, and civil society.

There are no strict educational requirements for this role. However, the most promising candidates will typically have multiple years of relevant research or policy experience and a track record of producing high-quality work.

Essential Qualifications

Successful candidates will have:

• A demonstrated ability to produce excellent research, ideally within or adjacent to the domain of AI governance

• A strong interest in positively shaping the lasting impacts of AI, in line with our mission

• Established expertise in a domain relevant to AI governance

• Broad familiarity with the field of AI governance

• A compelling research proposal with a well-reasoned path to impact

What We Value

They will also likely demonstrate:

• Self-direction and a desire for impact

• Strong judgment about research prioritization

• Intellectual honesty and rigor

• Clear communication and collaboration skills

• Motivation to mentor others and contribute to a strong research culture

Selection Process

The selection process has three stages:

1. Written application
2. An abstract reasoning assessment
3. 1-2 paid remote work tests.
   1. Candidates who reach this stage will also be asked to produce a detailed research agenda outlining how they would approach their first two years at GovAI
   2. Some workstreams will require a second paid work test
4. Two interviews and reference checks

Application Deadline

August 16, 2026

How To Apply

For more information, kindly visit the GovAI webpage.