Post-Doctoral Fellow, AI-Enabled Scams as a Systemic Security Challenge

Organizational Summary

Data & Society is an independent nonprofit research organization studying the social implications of data-centric technologies and automation. We recognize that the same innovative technologies that may benefit society can also be abused to invade privacy, provide new tools of discrimination, foreclose opportunity, and harm individuals and communities. Through original research and inclusive engagement, we work to ensure that empirical evidence and respect for human dignity guide how technology is developed and governed.

About The Role

Data & Society is seeking a post-doctoral research fellow  for our AI-Enabled Scams as a Systemic Security Challenge project, housed under our AI & Democracy initiative and led by Director of Research Dr. Alice Marwick. This body of work examines how artificial intelligence is reshaping democratic practice, knowledge production, security, and trust.

This position will report to the Director of Research, Alice Marwick, and will not have people manager responsibilities. This position is fully remote and will begin in September 2026 with an end date of May 31, 2028. 

Overall, the AI Scams project looks at how artificial intelligence is supercharging scams, frauds, and hoaxes. We have published a primer and a policy report examining the scope and scale of AI-enabled scams and policy responses. This specific project examines young people’s (Gen A/Z) susceptibility to scams, and how trust, legitimacy, and risk are constructed in online interactions. We are particularly interested in youth financial cultures, such as cryptocurrency, multi-level marketing schemes, sports betting, influencers, prediction markets, retail arbitrage, memestocks, drop-shipping, “hustle and grind” culture, etc. and how it changes youth understanding of financial opportunity and risk. 

The post-doctoral fellow will be working on a qualitative research project with two components. First, alongside the PI, they will be conducting interviews and focus groups with a) individuals who have encountered or been harmed by AI-enabled scams and b) youth involved in risky financial subcultures;  and second, qualitative discourse and/or content analysis of scam materials, workflows, and use of generative tools. 

The team also includes a policy analyst, so experience with tech policy is desired, although not necessary. The end goal of this project is to translate our findings into bipartisan policy and governance recommendations, and to bring together consumer protection and cybersecurity perspectives on scams. 

This study is best supported by a researcher with training in communication, media studies, information studies, economic sociology, critical cybersecurity studies, education, youth studies, science and technology studies, anthropology, or similar. They will also have approximately 30% of their time available for their own research agenda. 

The Candidate 

Candidates may have a PhD in any number of disciplines, but should have a strong background conducting empirical, qualitative research; be interested in questions related to youth, finance, risk, and emerging technology; have experience recruiting and working with populations for qualitative interview studies; and, ideally, have experience with discourse or content analysis. Candidates should be self-motivated and ambitious, but enjoy working on interdisciplinary, collaborative teams, contributing to peer intellectual production, and engaging broad public audiences with research. Ideal candidates are also committed to social change and oriented to practical applications of research and its implications for practice, design, and governance of new technologies, and have a strong desire to understand how technology and power shape our society. Candidates must be able to write for multiple audiences and be part of a public-facing research institute. 

Primary Responsibilities 

• Contribute to the AI-Enabled Scams as a Systemic Security Challenge project as a full participant, including ideation, literature reviews, recruitment, conducting interviews and/or focus groups, conducting content/discourse analysis, coding data, memoing, writing, and other research needs as necessary
• Publish op-eds, blog posts, and papers related to ongoing research for academic and non-academic audiences
• Contribute to the culture of the Research Management team, the AI & Democracy initiative, and the broader Data & Society community 
• Attend and collaborate with both internal and external researchers on outreach and network activities, including meetings, presentations, webinars, events, and conferences;
• Participate in team activities, including meetings, presentations, webinars, hearings, and conferences, which may require occasional travel

Skills & Qualifications

• Excellent research, writing, and communication skills supported by a strong empirical foundation
• PhD in Communication, Media Studies, Information Studies, Sociology, or similar applicable field; degree must be completed before the starting date.
• Ability to independently conduct high-level qualitative research, including interviews, focus groups, content/discourse analysis, and other research methods
• Experience with study recruitment 
• Expertise/interest in financial cultures, scams, generative AI, youth studies, economic sociology, or other topic relevant to the project at hand
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment
• Collaborative and generous intellectual partner 
• A strong history of work demonstrating a desire to understand how technology and power shape our sociotechnical society
• Ability to translate research for non-academic audiences, including journalists, policymakers, practitioners, organizers, civil society, and the broader community
• A deep commitment to social change and the practical applications of research for practice, design, and governance of new technologies
• Must be able to travel for conferences, workshops, or team meetings during the appointment

Core Competencies

• Strong analytical thinking; ability to conceptualize, develop, and conduct a research project.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to collaborate with other researchers internally and externally to develop and execute new research projects.

Organizational Values and Participation

• Commitment to advancing organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion; 
• Actively participate in programs and professional development opportunities that work to ensure we continue our commitment to being an anti-racist and anti-discrimination organization;
• To attend, where able, whole-organization activities such as staff meetings, retreats, town halls, listening sessions, workshops, training, and social events; and
• To participate, where able and appropriate, in contributing to the culture of D&S by participating in working groups and committees (e.g. DEIA Working Group).

To Apply, please submit the following items by July 15, 2026: 

1. A cover letter explaining your interest in this role and the research topic, and why you would be a good fit for this position.
2. An academic CV is required.
3. The names, affiliations, and contact information for three (3) references. Please include the name, title, email addresses, and phone numbers for each reference. Only candidates who reach the final round of interviews may have their references contacted.
4. A 2-page research statement describing your research accomplishments,  intellectual interests, and future trajectory of your work.  One page should describe an independent research project you wish to pursue that is distinct from your dissertation which, ideally, you would work on at D&S. 
5. Two writing samples; one should be targeted to an academic audience (journal article, dissertation chapter, etc.), and the other  should illustrate your ability to communicate complex research findings to a broad audience (blog or newsletter post, op-ed, policy brief, or similar). This should include at least one publication where you are either a lead or contributing author writing about original empirical research.

Applications will be reviewed beginning July 16, 2026. Please feel free to contact us at jobs@datasociety.net should you have any questions about the role. Questions about the opportunity or process will not reflect negatively on your application.

Practical Considerations 

1. Data & Society has committed to safety requirements to protect our staff from the COVID-19 pandemic. We require that prospective employees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before joining our organization. Please note that any reasonable accommodation request is not guaranteed to be approved, and we will comply with ADA-related requirements to evaluate the accommodation against business needs.
2. This is currently a full-time, remote position in the AI & Democracy program with an expected start date in September 2026 and an end date of May 31, 2028. This is a 2-year fellowship position, with no expectation for extension. Data & Society is based in New York City, and will for the foreseeable future operate as a Remote-First organization. The role may involve occasional onsite meetings in the future. 
3. You must be living and authorized to work in the United States; we are unable to sponsor visas. 
4. The salary range for this role is $68,000 to $80,000 annually, commensurate with experience. This salary offer will include a generous benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance and access to a range of opt-in products and services including additional insurance and 401k management as well as paid time off and paid federal holidays.

The salary range for this position is noted within this job posting. Where a prospective employee or employee is compensated within this salary range is dependent upon, among other factors, actual compensation for current/former employees in the subject position; market considerations; budgetary considerations; tenure, and standing with the organization (applicable to current employees); as well as the employee’s/applicant’s overall qualifications: knowledge, skills, pertinent experience, and abilities.