We are pleased to announce the third round of the OCPL Fellowship. The primary purpose of the fellowship is to amplify fellows’ existing work and expertise, help them create original, rigorous policy outputs, connect them to key policy stakeholders, and increase their literacy on pressing problems at the intersection of US-China relations and artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. We aim to build a cohort spanning a range of disciplines, backgrounds, and perspectives. The role offers access to an internal fellowship community, a growing alumni group, and a broader network of experts, as well as potential publication opportunities. 

The fellowship aims to support and empower impact-driven rising researchers working on issues surrounding the US-China relationship and its impact on the rest of the world, particularly concerning topics in the following categories:

1. Implications, development, and governance of artificial intelligence (AI);

2. Critical emerging technology supply chains, digital and critical national infrastructures, economic and technological statecraft;

3. Other pressing problems connected to China and US-China relations, including conflict risks and forms of mitigation, as well as China-facing capabilities and talent pipelines.

We are looking for 3 team leads within the fellowship to be the primary coordinators of the working groups, which will follow the above categories. The selected applicants will work with the OCPL team to finalize these working group names and scopes. 

Apply Here. 

Role: Research Fellow, Team Lead

Commitment:

• Late November-December 2024: Approximately 5 hours per week for onboarding and preparation (in-person optional)

• January to June 2025: 5-10 hours per week (mandatory in-person for majority of events)

• July 2025: Approximately 5 hours per week for fellowship wrap-up activities (in-person optional)

Compensation: £2,250 stipend for efforts as Team Lead*; £1,000 research support and professional development budget as Research Fellow; Additional internal funding opportunities

Location: Oxford, UK 

Application Timeline: Applications accepted until November 1 (midnight GMT).

Role Description: OCPL seeks to appoint 3 Research Team Leads to oversee working groups within our fellowship program. Team Leads will be responsible for:

• Leading working group-based research efforts and feedback sessions

• Coordinating 2 seminars during the fellowship for the overall cohort

• Helping develop senior mentorship structures and relationships along group’s research themes

• Mentoring more junior fellows in producing high-quality, policy-relevant research

• Contributing to the overall fellowship community and broader network of experts

• Participating in onboarding activities starting December 2024

• Assisting with fellowship wrap-up and evaluation in June-July 2025

See the “2025 Fellowship” posting for additional details on the primary fellowship track and corresponding expectations. Note that all applicants for the Team Leads positions will automatically be considered for the main fellowship track if they are not chosen as a Team Lead. 

* Stipend amount paid installments based on fulfillment of role responsibilities. 

Qualifications: 

• DPhil/PhD-level research in progress or complete, OR significant experience leading policy research

• Previous policy or industry experience in foreign policy, AI, or other highly relevant fields (Ideal, but not required)

• Must be located in or near Oxford for logistical purposes

Who Might Thrive In This Role: 

• Possesses excellent judgment.

• Committed to intellectual rigor and using research to make a positive impact on the world.

• Clear written and verbal communicator.

• Has concrete expertise in one or more of the following: international relations and political science, China studies, Internet studies, data science, economics, development studies, sociology, computer science, public policy, business.

• Holds methodological research skills in either quantitative or qualitative analysis.

• Has existing deep subject-matter expertise or policy experience in planned area of research.

Additional useful (but not strictly necessary) skills:

• Mandarin or other language skills

• Deep area studies expertise – China, Taiwan, or other key actors

• Technical understanding of critical emerging technologies

• Experience publishing in policy-oriented outlets

We Offer:

• Exposure to policy practitioners 

• Top-tier networking opportunities 

• Publication opportunities and support 

• Local travel expense coverage

Please submit your application materials here. If you are not sure whether you are qualified for this role, we encourage you to apply anyway. All applications for the Team Leads roles will automatically be considered for the general fellowship track as well.