The Ada Lovelace Institute (Ada) is recruiting a Research Assistant to support our research into the impacts of AI and data on people and society, while gaining a grounding in this fast-paced and dynamic field.
This role is an excellent opportunity for someone wanting to build a career as a researcher in AI and data-driven technologies. Working with an interdisciplinary team of social scientists, legal, technical and policy experts, you will have the opportunity to create high-impact research exploring the intersection of technology, society, and policy.
The Research Assistant will work on multiple projects across two teams, with a focus on our new programme of work exploring how to build a more open and equitable AI ecosystem in which power is evenly shared.
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The Social and Economic Policy team builds evidence on how people and society are affected by data and AI and seeks to shape how political choices, public services and economic institutions will be designed in the information age.
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The Public Participation and Research Practice team ensures that the voices of people affected by data and AI contribute to building and shaping evidence, research, policy and practices.
Key responsibilities will include supporting Ada’s Community Forum – a public advisory panel centering voices from underrepresented communities across our research projects – and researching the UK government’s approach to engaging with large technology companies. You will have the opportunity to bring your knowledge of social research methods to the table and learn from the expertise of others at Ada, and you will be encouraged to develop your own lens on key debates about how the AI sector is impacting on people, society, and the economy.
In addition, this role will contribute to communication strategies for outputs, and conceptualising, facilitating and attending meetings, workshops and events with a view to achieving strategic impact with key stakeholders.
The role will be managed by a Policy Lead in our team, with a close dotted line to a Senior Researcher, and may also contribute to work within other Directorates and with the Communications and Operations team.
About you
You are someone with research experience or an early career professional who is interested in growing your professional experience by applying your academic skills to studying and influencing emerging technology debates. You have:
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Strong social science, quantitative research, qualitative research, policy research, and/or economic research skills, e.g. from an undergraduate or masters degree with a research component.
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Some experience of working in participatory ways like facilitating workshops or conducting interviews
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A keen interest in and knowledge of AI and data policy, including related areas such as digital policy, tech policy, industrial policy, competition policy, or economic policy.
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Familiarity with the political landscape and policymaking processes, particularly in the UK.
You are curious and passionate about the issues which arise at the intersection of technology and society and are interested in bringing an interdisciplinary and intersectional lens to understanding them. You understand, or are keen to learn, that AI and data-driven technologies are 'sociotechnical', that they do not exist in a vacuum, but shape and are shaped by the social contexts in which they are deployed. Importantly, you'll be comfortable taking initiative, referring upwards when necessary, and working to short deadlines at times.
You'll enjoy working in a team environment, be willing to jump into projects and balance competing priorities. You'll appreciate the importance of high standards of rigour in research, but also want to think creatively about communicating and influencing in novel ways.
For further information about the role, please click here to download the full job description (PDF).
About us
The Ada Lovelace Institute is an independent research institute funded and incubated by the Nuffield Foundation since 2018.
Our mission is to ensure data and artificial intelligence work for people and society. We do this by building evidence and fostering rigorous debate on how data and AI affect people and society. We recognise the power asymmetries that exist in ethical and legal debates around the development of data-driven technologies and seek to level those asymmetries by convening diverse voices and creating a shared understanding of the ethical issues arising from data and AI. Finally, we seek to define and inform good practice in the design and deployment of AI technologies.
The Institute has emerged as a leading independent voice on the ethical and societal impacts of data and AI. We have built relationships in the public, private and civil society sectors in the UK and internationally. Please find details of our work here.
Our research takes an interconnected approach to issues such as power, social justice, distributional impact and climate change (read our strategy to find out more), and our team have a wide range of expertise that cuts across policy, technology, academia, industry, law and human rights.
We value diversity in background, skills, perspectives and life experiences. As part of the Nuffield Foundation, we are a small team with the practical support of an established organisation that cares for its employees.
Further information and how to apply
The closing date for applications is 09:30am (BST) on Friday 14th August 2026.
Interviews are subject to change, but we are planning for initial video calls to take place on 8th or 9th September 2026, with panel interviews then taking place 15th, 16th and/or 17th September 2026. Candidates should ideally then be able to start with us in October 2026.
We expect the recruitment process for both placements to consist of initial calls with longlisted candidates, with shortlisted candidates invited back to take part in a formal interview. We may add an additional stage or exercise in the case of a high number of shortlisted candidates.
You will be required to complete some questions as part of this application process, and you are also required to upload an up-to-date copy of your CV. The Applied platform lets you save an application and resume it ahead of submitting before the application deadline.
Please note that for vacancies which receive a high volume of applications, we will review based on responses to questions 1 and 2 on the Applied platform in the first instance. We may also undertake an initial screening of CVs.
If you have any questions about the role ahead of applying (or need to make an application in a different format), please email [email protected] and a member of the Nuffield Foundation’s HR team will respond to you.
All recruitment decisions are made by a person (we do not use AI tools to rate or reject applicants). We ask applicants to respond to the questions using their own experience, thinking and opinion, writing in their own tone of voice rather than using generative AI tools such as ChatGPT. Candidates should ensure that they are representing themselves accurately and authentically.
Further guidance on applying for job vacancies with the Nuffield Foundation and its Centres can be found on our website here.
We are committed to inclusive working practices and during the application process we commit to:
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As a Disability Confident employer, we will offer an interview to a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the essential criteria for the job
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making any reasonable adjustments – for example providing documents in different formats, arranging for a sign language interpreter for interviews etc
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reimbursing reasonable travel costs (and any childcare or care costs) for interviews where in-person attendance is required
Our benefits package includes:
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Genuine flexibility - we are open to requests for part-time hours, compressed working weeks, or job shares.
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28 days holiday per annum and all public holidays, with the option to buy or sell up to 5 days (prorated for part time staff).
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A salary exchange pension scheme that offers employer contributions of up to 11%.
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Life assurance scheme.
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Family leave policies that provide an enhanced level of pay.
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Cycle to work scheme, loans towards train season tickets and the option to make charitable donations via your pay.
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Regular opportunities for learning and development – including coaching, mentoring, and dedicated reading days for personal development and reflection.
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Support with your physical, mental and financial wellbeing including an employee assistance provider, a private GP service, personal health reviews with Bupa, a will and funeral planning service and a staff network of trained Mental Health First Aiders.
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A warm and welcoming workplace culture, with active peer groups and social networks to help you connect and belong.