Internships: Data Ethics; Human Flourishing; Complexity, and More
JOPRO · Boston, MA
- Hybrid
- Internship
- Boston, MA
Job highlights
- Remote summer research internships available.
- Focus on data ethics, AI, and complexity.
- Opportunities in policy, technical, and open source.
- Unpaid, but academic credit support offered.
- Rolling applications for Summer 2026.
About the role
Summer Research Internships
JOPRO is accepting applications for Summer 2026 Research Internships across its working groups and partner programs. All positions are remote, most run 10 to 12 weeks, and applications are rolling.
This is a single listing covering multiple positions. Each has its own full posting and application form at https://opportunities.jopro.org.
Current Openings Include:
- Data Ethics & Responsible AI Research Intern: Choose a Technical or Policy & Communication track and produce a publishable deliverable at the intersection of data science, ethics, and human-centered AI. Under JOPRO's Society Ethics Tech working group and the Data x Direction project.
- Complexity Science Research Intern: Investigate the convergence between David Krakauer's institutional framing of complexity science and Michael Levin's experimental vocabulary for agency, intelligence, and teleonomic matter. Produce a structured comparative analysis. Graduate students and advanced undergraduates in philosophy of science, cognitive science, complex systems, or STS.
- AI for Human Flourishing: Preserving Agency and Cognitive Sovereignty: Research the pressures AI systems place on cognition, belief formation, and self-determination. Survey work on AI persuasion, sycophancy, epistemic dependence, and reflective capacity. For students in cognitive science, philosophy of mind, HCI, or psychology.
- Philosophy of Science Research Intern: Examine whether Kuhn's model of scientific revolutions holds under contemporary conditions of accelerating discovery and institutional pressure. Engage with Kuhn, Lakatos, Feyerabend, and more recent theorists. Graduate students in philosophy of science, history of science, or STS.
- Open Source Summer Cohort: Join the OREL Summer Cohort alongside Google Summer of Code contributors. Work on open-source projects in computational biology, research infrastructure, or data science with access to mentorship, reading groups, and professional development. International applicants welcome.
Additional positions are available in digital narratives and epistemic agency, futures ecosystem mapping, diverse intelligences, deliberative methodology, communications, and a Field Stewards fellowship.
To explore all positions and apply:
https://opportunities.jopro.org
For a general overview and to follow additional updates:
https://blog.jopro.org/p/announcing-2026-jopro-summer-internships
Requirements:
- Fluency in English language. All programming and internships will be in English.
Compensation & Support:
- Most opportunities are unpaid internships.
- A few may offer stipends or other small funding.
- Assistance with earning academic credit for experiential learning.
- Support for applying for external funding.
Key skills/competency:
- Data Ethics
- Responsible AI
- Complexity Science
- Philosophy of Science
- Cognitive Science
- Open Source
- Research
- AI
- Policy
- Communication
Skills & topics
- Research Intern
- Data Ethics
- AI
- Complexity Science
- Philosophy of Science
- Open Source
- Summer Internship
- Remote
- Policy
- Technical
How to get hired
- Explore specific roles: Visit https://opportunities.jopro.org to view detailed descriptions and application forms for each internship.
- Tailor your application: Highlight relevant coursework, research experience, and any specific skills mentioned in the internship descriptions, such as data science, AI, philosophy, or open-source contributions.
- Showcase technical or policy skills: Depending on the track, emphasize your technical proficiency or your ability to analyze and communicate complex policy issues effectively.
- Address language requirement: Clearly state your fluency in English on your resume and in your application.
- Check for funding: Note that most internships are unpaid, but inquire about stipend availability or utilize JOPRO's support for external funding and academic credit.
Technical preparation
Review relevant scientific literature.,Practice analytical and comparative skills.,Familiarize yourself with AI and ethics concepts.,Prepare to work with open-source tools.
Behavioral questions
Describe a complex research problem you solved.,How do you handle independent, remote work?,Discuss your interest in AI ethics or philosophy.,Explain your collaboration style in research.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of academic background is preferred for the Complexity Science Research Intern position at JOPRO?
- For the Complexity Science Research Intern role at JOPRO, graduate students and advanced undergraduates with backgrounds in philosophy of science, cognitive science, complex systems, or Science and Technology Studies (STS) are preferred. This interdisciplinary focus is key to investigating the convergence of complexity science frameworks and experimental vocabulary for agency.
- Is it possible to earn academic credit for the JOPRO Summer 2026 Research Internships?
- Yes, JOPRO will work with student interns to earn credit for experiential learning or other internship requirements. This support helps ensure the internship aligns with academic goals, even for unpaid positions.
- Are the JOPRO Summer 2026 Research Internships paid positions?
- Most of the JOPRO Summer 2026 Research Internships are unpaid. However, a few positions may offer stipends or other small funding. JOPRO also assists with applying for external funding.
- What is the application deadline for the JOPRO Summer 2026 Research Internships?
- JOPRO is operating on a rolling admissions basis for its Summer 2026 Research Internships. This means applications are reviewed as they are received, so it is advisable to apply early.
- What specific deliverables are expected from the Data Ethics & Responsible AI Research Intern at JOPRO?
- The Data Ethics & Responsible AI Research Intern at JOPRO is expected to produce a publishable deliverable. This output should focus on the intersection of data science, ethics, and human-centered AI, aligning with the Society Ethics Tech working group's objectives.
- Does JOPRO offer opportunities for international applicants in its Summer Research Internships?
- Yes, international applicants are welcome to apply for JOPRO's Summer Research Internships, including those in the Open Source Summer Cohort. Fluency in English is required for all programs.
- What is the primary focus of the AI for Human Flourishing internship at JOPRO?
- The AI for Human Flourishing internship at JOPRO focuses on researching the impact of AI systems on human cognition, belief formation, and self-determination. It involves surveying work on AI persuasion, epistemic dependence, and reflective capacity.
- How long do the JOPRO Summer 2026 Research Internships typically last?
- Most of the JOPRO Summer 2026 Research Internships run for a duration of 10 to 12 weeks, providing a focused period for intensive research and project completion.