About this role
Professionals who thrive on turning ambiguous questions about technology into structured investigations will find a strong fit in this position. The product policy team at OpenAI builds and implements frameworks that dictate how systems are created and utilized across various deployments.
As the research lead for policy communications, the incoming team member will establish and manage a mixed-methods research program focusing on public engagement with AI policy. Responsibilities include designing qualitative and quantitative studies, overseeing vendors and budgets, and translating findings into executive-ready recommendations for internal partners.
The role exists to help cross-functional teams communicate complex topics accurately and responsibly to broad audiences. Candidates who bring extensive experience in leading public-opinion, market, or behavioral research within fast-moving environments will succeed here.
What you will do
- Build and manage a mixed-methods research program spanning study design, fieldwork, analysis, reporting, and documentation while establishing high standards for responsible practice.
- Design rigorous quantitative research initiatives such as surveys and longitudinal studies, overseeing questionnaire design, sampling, weighting, and vendor quality.
- Lead qualitative research efforts including interviews and focus groups to analyze how people interpret complex policy topics.
- Translate empirical insights into executive-ready reports with practical recommendations for policy, communications, product, legal, and privacy partners.
- Build reusable research tools, benchmarks, and knowledge systems that strengthen organizational decision-making over time.
- Communicate complex methods clearly while managing research vendors, project budgets, timelines, privacy protocols, and research ethics.
What you need
- Bring substantial experience leading public-opinion, communications, policy, market, or behavioral research in a complex or fast-moving environment.
- Possess deep survey-methods expertise, including questionnaire design, sampling, weighting, panel quality, experimentation, statistical analysis, and longitudinal research.
- Demonstrate the ability to design, conduct, or oversee qualitative research such as recruitment, moderation, and synthesis.
- Have experience designing research across varied populations and evaluating sample adequacy to support drawn conclusions.
- Show proficiency in translating research into clear recommendations and influencing cross-functional partners when evidence challenges a preferred direction.
- Communicate complex methods and findings clearly while managing research vendors, budgets, timelines, and research ethics.
Benefits
- Offers Equity
- Relocation assistance to new employees
Questions candidates ask
What is the location and remote work policy for this role?
The role can be based in San Francisco or Remote. The organization uses a hybrid work model requiring 3 days in the office per week.
What compensation and equity are offered?
The salary range is between $347K and $385K. The position also includes equity offerings.
Is relocation assistance provided?
Relocation assistance is available to new employees joining the team. The role can be based in San Francisco or remotely.