Research Fellow (Humanities and Social Studies Education Department) [NIE]

The National Institute of Education invites suitable applications for the position of Research Fellow on a 24-month contract at the Humanities and Social Studies Education Department.

Project Title: Inclusive AI Governance in Southeast Asian Cities

Project Introduction: This project advances an interdisciplinary agenda on AI for society, examining how artificial intelligence reshapes urban governance, infrastructures, and everyday life across Southeast Asia. It conceptualises AI as civic and political infrastructure, investigating how institutional arrangements, power relations, and lived experiences shape its societal consequences. A major research theme centres on healthcare and elderly care, exploring how AI transforms service provision, access, care relationships, and the autonomy and wellbeing of older populations. Comparative fieldwork across Singapore, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Manila will examine how diverse urban contexts generate distinct opportunities, exclusions, and ethical challenges. The project’s central objective is to develop an Inclusive AI Framework that connects policy ambitions and technological design to everyday practices and experiences. Through empirical research and collaborative workshops, it will identify adaptable governance principles that enable communities and institutions to meaningfully negotiate and reshape AI systems. An Inclusive AI Index and Handbook will translate findings into practical resources for policy, professional training, and public engagement. The Research Fellow will contribute to theoretically ambitious, empirically grounded scholarship, undertake comparative fieldwork, and engage interdisciplinary collaborators and policy stakeholders. The project offers opportunities to shape debates on inclusive technological futures and socially responsive urban transformation.

Requirements:

• A PhD in Social Sciences, Urban Studies or related disciplines
• Experience of working in social science-related projects
• Experiences of working in the Southeast Asian context
• Experience of working with a large research team
• Independence in leading the research work, organising fieldwork, and ready to travel to Southeast Asian cities for research work
• Experience of writing journal articles, book monograph, op-ed, etc.
• Use and knowledge of mapping tools will be an advantage
• Experience in organising workshops and conferences will be an advantage
• Southeast Asian language skills will be an advantage.

Responsibilities:

• To work independently on the research project objectives and deliverables;
• To travel to Southeast Asian cities, organise fieldwork, workshops and collect data for the project;
• To analyse data, write reports, and write journal articles/research papers for the project;
• To coordinate with the PI in relation to the project work, scheduling, deadline and being an independent researcher to work on the project.
• To coordinate with various stakeholders across Southeast Asian cities for research travel, fieldwork and other related work.
• Help in training undergraduate students to conduct research and fieldwork related to the project.
• Other duties as assigned by the Principal Investigator

Application

Applicants (external and internal) will apply via Workday. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Closing Date

Closing date for advertisements will be set to 14 calendar days from date of posting.

Hiring Institution: NIE