Research Scientist

Team: Sciences

Location: East Coast Time Zone Only

Prolific

Prolific isn’t just powering AI development—we’re redefining it. While foundational AI technologies are becoming commoditized, Polific’s human data infrastructure delivers the high-quality, diverse data needed to differentiate the next generation of AI models. Through our platform, we empower researchers and companies to access a global pool of participants, ensuring cutting-edge AI research and training grounded in ethical and inclusive practices.

The role

Prolific is a leading research platform with an established research operation in the UK and US. In 2026 we are investing in levelling up our Research Sciences team. We're hiring a Research Scientist to own a dedicated research portfolio focused on some of the most pressing questions in online research today, including data quality, online methodologies, and the impact of AI on how research gets done.

You'll sit within the Research Sciences team, reporting to the team's lead researcher. This is an individual contributor role where you'll design and lead your own research agenda, collaborate closely with the rest of the sciences team, and build partnerships with academic and industry collaborators. You'll also be expected to get your work in front of the right audiences at conferences, journals, in the press, and through Prolific's own channels. This isn't a role for someone who needs a well-worn path. We want someone who generates more ideas than they can execute, moves quickly, and thrives when the next interesting problem is always around the corner.

What you'll be doing

• Leading a dedicated research portfolio: Designing and executing primary research on subjects related to data quality, online sampling methodologies, and the effects of AI on online research (both independently and in collaboration with the wider team)
• Producing high-grade, publishable research: Conducting work that meets the standard expected at leading academic venues and industry conferences, contributes meaningfully to live debates in the field, and is publishable in high IF journals
• Building and managing external partnerships: Cultivating relationships with academic institutions and industry partners, identifying collaboration opportunities, and managing those relationships through to research outputs
• Presenting and disseminating your work: Representing Prolific at academic conferences and industry events, and working with our marketing team to maximise the reach and impact of research findings
• Contributing to the wider sciences agenda: Our current work spans data quality, representativeness, synthetic data, and methodological innovation. We're looking for someone who can help shape this agenda, not just execute within it

Who we're looking for

Core requirements:

• PhD in a relevant quantitative field such as psychology, research methodology, computational social science, statistics, economics, social science, or similar
• Strong grounding in online research methods, with experience in at least some of: online sampling methodologies, data quality assessment, non-probability sampling, or synthetic data approaches
• Demonstrated ability to lead research projects end-to-end, with a track record of publications, conference presentations, or equivalent public outputs
• Strong quantitative research skills, including experimental design, statistical analysis, and data interpretation, with proficiency in tools such as R, Python, or Qualtrics
• A self-starter who is comfortable executing a research programme with limited hand-holding and genuine intellectual curiosity about where online research is heading
• High output and comfortable working at pace, you get things done, ship work, and don't wait for perfect conditions
• An ideas-first mentality: you keep a close eye on the latest developments across relevant fields, and you're quick to spot their implications for online research and translate them into concrete directions
• Based in the US East Coast or UK

Nice to have:

• Postdoctoral or industry research experience (one or the other is expected if industry experience is limited)
• Familiarity with online panel platforms and the trade-offs of working with them
• Experience working across academic–industry partnerships
• Comfort with on-the-record commentary or media engagement

Why Prolific is a great place to work

At Prolific, you’ll have the chance to shape the future of human-AI collaboration by empowering participants to contribute to cutting-edge AI research and training. You’ll work in a fast-paced, purpose-driven environment that values impact, inclusion, and innovation.

We offer competitive compensation, benefits, and flexible remote working options. Be part of a team that’s pioneering a responsible AI landscape, ensuring that the technology of tomorrow understands and respects the full spectrum of human experience.

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