Civic Science Fellow

The Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion (DoSER) program builds on AAAS's long-standing commitment to relate scientific knowledge and technological development to the purposes and concerns of society at large, by facilitating communication and engagement between and among scientific and religious communities.

With support from the Rita Allen Foundation, DoSER invites applications for a Civic Science Fellow to develop and carry out a project that supports the work of the program in advancing dialogue, mutual understanding, and collaborative engagement between scientific and religious communities on the most pressing issues of our time.

Help us ignite the next era of science.

The specific project focus will be developed by the fellow in collaboration with DoSER and AAAS staff, but may center around one or more of the following questions:

• What scientific topics and issues are of interest and concern to faith communities? How do these overlap with areas of concern of other AAAS constituencies including journalists, judges, policy makers, and educators?
• What community impacts do these issues raise, including moral and ethical implications, and how can we provide opportunities for faith and other community leaders to provide input and insight into these impacts for the scientific community?

• How can we best equip the scientific community to engage with faith communities and other community leaders on these issues?
• How can we leverage other efforts, including those within AAAS as well as those from elsewhere, to ensure that community and faith leaders are given the opportunity, access to resources, etc. that they need to be actively involved in conversations and decision making about scientific and technology issues that are impacting their communities?
• How does religious identity impact access to and participation in science and decision making about science and technology and how can this inform AAAS efforts to broaden participation in the sciences?

Although this position is based in the DoSER program, the Fellow will have the opportunity to learn from and work with other AAAS programs.

What You'll Do

• Co-design and implement a Fellowship project in collaboration with DoSER staff
• Work with other AAAS programs, including SciLine and the Center for Scientific Responsibility and Justice to identify and localize areas of common interest and concern across audiences and foster collaboration across programs
• Engage with community groups, religious communities, practitioners, stakeholders, and organizational partners
• Participate fully in the Rita Allen Civic Science Fellows national learning cohort, including in-person convenings, online workshops, and peer exchange activities.
• Some travel for research, convenings, and Rita Allen Foundation cohort activities may be required

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD or other terminal degree in science, social science, engineering, or mathematics
• Expressed interest in, sensitivity to, and experience in engaging diverse publics on science, especially with regard to faith and religious communities
• Awareness of a breadth of science topics and issues that have broad implications for society and are of interest to diverse publics
• Experience working in a multidisciplinary context with a diversity of collaborators
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage projects from design through completion
• Ability to think creatively and strategically
• Ability to build relationships and engage effectively and empathetically with diverse communities
• Ability to facilitate and foster discussion, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement.

About the Civic Science Fellows Program

The Civic Science Fellows program is building a network of leaders committed to ensuring that all people shape and benefit from science, technology, and innovation. The program brings together scientists, scholars, community leaders, journalists, educators, media producers, public interest organizations, and funders to seed new collaborations between science, diverse communities, and civil society. Envisioned as a Civic Science Lab, Fellows and the organizations that host them carry out pioneering work to co-create pilots, partnerships, knowledge, models, and new ways of working. Fellows and partners engage as part of a network of learning and action that spans organizations, disciplines, and communities-a growing effort to catalyze civic science culture change.

This fellow will be expected to come into the D.C. office on a hybrid-work basis.

This is a term position, which will run from September 1, 2026 - February 28, 2028.

Application Process

To be considered for this position, applicants must submit both a resume and cover letter outlining qualifications and interest in the position by August 7, 2026. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. A Recruiter will contact you with next steps if you are selected for an interview.

AAAS is aware of fraudulent messages from individuals and entities falsely claiming to represent our organization. Please note that all official recruitment communications will come from an @aaas.org email address, and all open positions are posted on our Careers page (aaas.org/careers). AAAS will never ask applicants to provide payment, financial information including credit card numbers, or Social Security numbers during the hiring process via an email. If you receive an email claiming to be from AAAS that looks suspicious, do not click on any links or open any attachments. Instead, please contact us at jobs@aaas.org before responding or sharing any personal information.

The anticipated initial rate of compensation for this position is between $73,000 and $80,000 per year. AAAS currently provides the following benefits for this position: paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, paid holidays, health insurance, flexible spending account, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, retirement benefits, short- and long-term disability, and life insurance, each subject to the terms of the applicable program. Additional benefits may apply.

Any actual offer of employment, reflecting the total compensation package and benefits, will be made in the sole discretion of AAAS and will be based on a variety of factors, including years of experience, depth of experience, and other relevant factors. AAAS reserves the right to amend or modify its employment benefits and compensation structure at any time.

AAAS is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected category. AAAS uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. No visa sponsorship is available for this position.

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The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. Any unsolicited resumes sent to AAAS from a third party, such as an agency, including unsolicited resumes sent to an AAAS mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to AAAS employees, or to the AAAS resume database will be considered AAAS property. Verbal or written communications from any employee of AAAS shall not be considered binding obligations. AAAS Human Resources is the only AAAS representative authorized by AAAS enter into any employment agreements with any third party. AAAS will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.