AI Research Fellow / Senior AI Policy Research

FT / PT Status – Full-Time
Salary – $33.13 - $54.01 Hourly Wage
Remote Work / In-Office – Hybrid

Recruiter – Tehra Gorski | tgorski@utah.gov | 8015306030
Application Deadline – 6/28/2026

The Utah Department of Commerce, Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy, is seeking an AI Research Fellow to help drive technical, scientific, and policy research for Utah’s AI Learning Lab. This is an applied research and policy-translation role. The fellow’s work should directly inform regulatory decisions, legislative recommendations, regulatory mitigation agreements, and stakeholder strategy.

 This role is technical and will rely heavily on statistical, machine learning, computer science, and empirical research skills. It will also require strong judgment, clear writing, and the ability to operate in a small multidisciplinary team alongside colleagues with policy, business, regulatory, and legal expertise. The right candidate will be comfortable taking ambiguous AI-policy questions, structuring them, evaluating the evidence, talking to experts, and producing usable recommendations for decision-makers.
The Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy was created in May 2024 as part of Utah’s effort to systematically develop sensible AI policy across major impact areas such as healthcare, education, finance, transportation, and consumer technology. Central to the Office is the AI Learning Lab, where industry experts, academics, regulators, and policymakers work toward appropriate regulatory responses to emerging AI applications. The Office also has authority to create regulatory mitigation agreements that allow responsible AI businesses to test products in Utah under structured conditions while the state gathers evidence and develops longer-term policy solutions.

A hybrid telework schedule may be available, although regular in-person work will be needed.
 

Key Responsibilities

Duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Independently scope and execute research projects on emerging AI policy questions, including defining the question, identifying relevant technical and empirical evidence, interviewing experts, evaluating tradeoffs, and producing written recommendations for policymakers and regulators.
• Research technical aspects, capabilities, limitations, and societal impacts of AI technologies in support of the AI Learning Lab’s policy agenda.
• Evaluate evidence and forecasts concerning the impact of human-AI interactions on health, economic activity, education, consumer welfare, and public institutions.
• Draft executive policy memos, legislative briefings, technical explainers, risk assessments, regulatory mitigation analyses, and recommendations for agency and legislative decision-makers.
• Interface with business leaders, technologists, researchers, regulators, legislators, and lawyers to understand AI applications and help stakeholders develop well-reasoned regulatory responses.
• Advise on the development of regulatory and legal standards as the Office’s recommendations move through agency, legislative, and stakeholder processes.
• Work with experts across disciplines to understand the benefits, risks, evidence gaps, and practical constraints associated with AI deployment in Utah.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Deep technical knowledge of statistical methods, machine learning, and AI systems.
• Strong ability to translate technical, scientific, and empirical evidence into practical policy options for nontechnical decision-makers.
• Familiarity with human-subject research, qualitative and quantitative methods, medical or health sciences, social sciences, human-computer interaction, or related empirical fields.
• Excellent problem-solving ability, reliability, and independent judgment.
• Strong technical communication skills, including the ability to write clearly for policy, legal, regulatory, business, and technical audiences.
• Interest in AI policy, responsible innovation, regulatory design, and the business implications of AI deployment.
  Ability to work effectively in agile teams with diverse expertise and under conditions of uncertainty.

Preferred Qualifications
We may give preference to applicants with:

• Experience implementing, evaluating, or deploying AI systems, particularly in business, healthcare, government, or other applied settings.
• Expertise in public policy, law, regulatory design, or government decision-making.
• Ability to evaluate technical claims, research methods, model limitations, and evidence quality.
• Specific healthcare experience or expertise.
• Experience supporting AI deployment in regulated environments.

About the Role

Location –
160 East 300 South
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84111
United States
Background Check Required – You must successfully pass a criminal history check.
Drug Test Required – No
Schedule Code – TL - Time limited

Why You Should Join Our Team
In Utah, we believe hard work is important, but balance is essential. Finding work/life balance is a vital element to our culture. To find out more about WHY Utah, click here. Other benefits may include:

• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization. 
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals. 
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.

This AI Research Fellow will join a small, agile team developing a practical and nationally visible approach to AI governance, with strong support from Utah’s Governor and legislature. Because Utah is an early mover in AI governance, this role offers unusual exposure to high-level policy development, business innovation, legislative work, and applied regulatory design.
The right candidate will be in a position to shape how Utah responds to emerging AI technologies, support responsible AI businesses, and help protect consumers while preserving room for innovation. The role also offers a chance to meet and learn from highly accomplished leaders across industry, academia, healthcare, law, and government.
 

The Agency
In addition to the Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy, the Utah Department of Commerce is the licensing and registration agency for Utah’s professional and business community. The Department provides oversight of business registrations, trademarks, Uniform Commercial Code filings, professional licensing, consumer protection, public utilities, securities, real estate, and residential mortgage lending. You can learn more about the agency by visiting the website.

Supplemental Information

• Job classification: Research Consultant III (#16048). May underfill as a Research Consultant II (#16058) with a reduced salary range.
• Effective July 1, 2021, in-state work rules require all work to be performed while physically within the state’s borders.
• We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
• A position’s eligibility for remote work is established by agency management and is subject to change at their discretion at any time and for any reason.
• DHRM rules apply for promotions/transfers.
• Risks are those found in a typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated, including safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, and observing fire regulations.
• Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying light items, driving an automobile, and similar activities. Special physical demands are not required to perform the work.
   

EEO Statement
The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, please contact (801) 957-9390.

https://utdgohcm.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/1419?c=utdgohcm