Research Assistant - AI in Science 

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Position Overview

MIT FutureTech is seeking a Research Assistant (Technical Associate I) to join the AI in Science project, with a flexible start date in 2026.

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The AI in Science project at MIT FutureTech explores how AI foundation models—large, pre-trained systems adaptable across domains—are transforming scientific discovery. Using our custom-built data pipeline and large-scale bibliometric and NLP analyses, we study millions of research papers to trace how these models diffuse across disciplines and influence scientific impact.

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Our work identifies key patterns in the openness versus proprietary AI models, the geopolitics and democratization of AI, model performance, and the role of explainable AI in scientific discovery—revealing how democratization and geopolitical dynamics influence access, innovation, and scientific progress worldwide. 

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In this role, you will conduct computational experiments and statistical analyses to map the historical and current landscape of AI research. You will contribute to the completion of ongoing projects and the continued development of this research.

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Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions**)

• Conduct academic research related to AI in science and the societal impact of AI
• Collect and analyze project data; track and report on key research metrics
• Create visualizations and dashboards to communicate analytical insights
• Prepare research documentation, reports, and manuscripts
• Contribute to grant proposals and other academic writing
• Collaborate closely with project leads Ana Trisovic and Neil Thompson

Qualifications & Skills

Minimum Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) in Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field
• Strong data analysis background, including statistical or econometric training
• Proficiency in at least one modern programming language (e.g., Python, R)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Strong organizational abilities and a collaborative working style

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Preferred Education and Experience

• Master’s degree (MA/MS) in Computer Science or a related field
• Expertise in computing and artificial intelligence
• Prior experience with academic research or research paper writing

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Additional Information

• One-year term appointment, renewable based on grant funding
• Primary work location: on-site at MIT FutureTech (Cambridge, MA)

** To comply with regulations by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), the principal duties in position descriptions must be essential to the job. To identify essential functions, focus on the purpose and the result of the duties rather than the manner in which they are performed. The following definition applies: a job function is essential if removal of that function would fundamentally change the job.

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Provided as background:

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About MIT FutureTech

MIT FutureTech is an interdisciplinary group of computer scientists, engineers, and economists who study the foundations of progress in computing and Artificial Intelligence: the trends, implications, opportunities and risks.  Economic and social change is underpinned by advances in computing: for instance, improvements in the miniaturization of integrated circuits, the discovery and refinement of algorithms, and the development and diffusion of better software systems and processes. We aim to identify and understand the trends in computing that create opportunities or risks and help leaders in computing, scientific funding bodies, and government to respond appropriately. 

Our research therefore helps to answer important questions including: Will AI progress accelerate or decline – and should it? What are the bottlenecks to growth from AI, and how can they be solved? What are the risks from AI, and how can we mitigate them? 

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To support our research, we run seminars and conferences to better connect the field of computer scientists, economists, and innovation scholars to build a thriving global research community. 

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To disseminate it, we advise governments, nonprofits and industry, including via National Academies panels on transformational technologies and scientific reliability, the Council on Competitiveness’ National Commission on Innovation and Competitiveness Frontiers, and the National Science Foundation’s National Network for Critical Technology Assessment. 

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Our work has been funded by Open Philanthropy, Microsoft, the Sloan Foundation and the MIT Lincoln Laboratory. 

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Some of our recent outputs:  

• The AI Frontier: Transformative Role of Foundation Models Across Scientific Disciplines
• LLMs in Citation Intent Classification: Progress, Precision, and Reproducibility Challenges
• Mapping the Impact of Foundation Models on the UN Sustainable Development Goals
• The AI Risk Repository: A Comprehensive Meta-Review, Database, and Taxonomy of Risks from Artificial Intelligence 
• How industry is dominating AI research   
• A workshop on AI scaling and its implications for AI development, automation, and more  
• How Fast Do Algorithms Improve? 

About the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL) 

CSAIL is one of the world’s top research centers for computer science and artificial intelligence (currently ranked #1).  It has hosted 9 Turing awards winners (the “Nobel Prize of Computing”) and has pioneered many of the technologies that underpin computing.

How to apply

Please use this Computer Science focus to register interest in this role or to submit a general expression of interest.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Please add an “AI in Science” note in the application.

Selected candidates will be first interviewed via Zoom. We are recruiting on a rolling basis and may close applications early if we find a suitable candidate, so please apply as soon as possible to maximize your chances.

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