Public Policy Expert - Policy Research
WFA Digital Insight
The demand for public policy experts in the tech sector has seen a significant surge, with a 25% increase in job postings over the last year. As AI continues to shape the future, companies like mercor are seeking specialists who can navigate complex policy landscapes. With the remote job market offering more opportunities than ever, candidates with a strong background in public policy, economics, or political science are in high demand. Before applying, it's essential to understand the current state of AI regulation and the role of policy research in driving innovation. mercor's commitment to connecting top talent with leading AI research labs makes this role an attractive opportunity for those looking to make a real impact.
Job Description
About the Role
The Public Policy Expert position at mercor is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of policy research and AI innovation. As a key member of a highly qualified team, you will be responsible for crafting policy research tasks, evaluating AI agent performance, and contributing to the development of challenging problems in your domain expertise. Your work will have a direct impact on shaping the future of AI innovation, making this role an exciting prospect for those passionate about public policy and technology.The role involves working asynchronously with a team of experts, leveraging your knowledge of government databases, and applying your analytical skills to drive insights. With a focus on legislative tracking, federal budget data extraction, and regulatory database searches, your attention to detail and exceptional communication skills will be essential in delivering high-quality results.
As a contract position, you will have the flexibility to work remotely, with a commitment of 15-20 hours per week. This arrangement offers an excellent opportunity for those seeking a better work-life balance while still contributing to meaningful projects.
What You Will Do
- Develop and implement policy research tasks to inform AI innovation, including legislative tracking and federal budget data extraction
- Conduct regulatory database searches across government portals to identify key trends and insights
- Create detailed evaluation rubrics for AI agent performance, ensuring high-quality and challenging problems
- Collaborate with a team of experts to shape the future of AI innovation, applying your domain expertise to real-world applicability
- Work asynchronously to craft policy briefs, research reports, and other materials to support AI research labs
- Analyze data from government databases, including OpenStates, FOIA.gov, and OMB, to inform policy research
- Engage with stakeholders to understand their needs and develop targeted policy research tasks
- Stay up-to-date with the latest developments in AI regulation and policy, applying this knowledge to drive innovation
- Contribute to the development of mercor's policy research framework, ensuring it remains relevant and effective
What We Are Looking For
- PhD or Master's degree in Public Policy, Economics, Political Science, Public Administration, or a related field from a top US/Canada/UK/New Zealand/Australia university
- 2+ years of professional experience in government, think tanks, policy research, or public sector consulting
- Experience working with government databases, including OpenStates, FOIA.gov, and OMB
- Excellent proficiency in English, with exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- High attention to detail, with the ability to analyze complex data sets and drive insights
- Currently based in the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, UK, or Australia
- Ability to work independently and as part of a remote team, with a strong commitment to collaboration and open communication
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems
Nice to Have
- Experience working with AI research labs or tech companies, with a deep understanding of the AI landscape
- Familiarity with Excel, with the ability to apply data analysis skills to drive insights
- Knowledge of policy research methodologies, including qualitative and quantitative approaches
- Experience with project management tools, including Asana, Trello, or similar platforms
Benefits and Perks
- Competitive hourly rate, with opportunities for professional growth and development
- Flexible working arrangement, with the ability to work remotely and set your own schedule
- Access to a network of highly qualified experts in the field of AI innovation
- Opportunities for professional development, including training and upskilling programs
- A dynamic and supportive work environment, with a commitment to collaboration and open communication
- The chance to work on meaningful projects, driving real-world impact and innovation in the AI sector
- Paid onboarding time, including up to 1 hour of screening and onboarding videos
- Access to mercor's resources and support, including talent docs and platform information
How to Stand Out
- Familiarize yourself with government databases, including OpenStates and FOIA.gov, to demonstrate your expertise in policy research.
- Showcase your ability to work independently and as part of a remote team, highlighting your collaboration and communication skills.
- Develop a strong understanding of the current state of AI regulation, including key trends and insights in the policy landscape.
- Prepare examples of your policy research tasks, including evaluation rubrics and data analysis, to demonstrate your skills and experience.
- Be prepared to discuss your experience working with Excel and other data analysis tools, highlighting your ability to drive insights and inform policy research.
- Research mercor's commitment to AI innovation and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the company's goals and mission.
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