The Mercatus Center at George Mason University is accepting applications for two Future of Scientific Discovery Emerging Scholar positions in Arlington, Virginia. The full-time opportunity is designed for researchers and subject-matter experts interested in exploring the future of scientific discovery, technological change and the institutions that shape scientific research.
The positions are part of the Mercatus Center’s Emerging Scholars Program, which supports rising classical liberal thinkers and helps them develop the research, communication and public-engagement skills needed to contribute to major policy and cultural debates.
The two successful candidates will undertake a substantial research project while examining scientific discovery through perspectives including institutional design, incentives, governance, innovation and human flourishing.
Position Details
The Future of Scientific Discovery Emerging Scholar positions offer a one-year, full-time appointment based in Arlington, Virginia.
- Position: Future of Scientific Discovery Emerging Scholar
- Number of positions: Two
- Employment type: Full time
- Location: Arlington, Virginia, United States
- Contract period: September 8, 2026, to September 8, 2027
- Salary: $80,000–$150,000 per year
- Programme: Mercatus Center Emerging Scholars Program
The salary is competitive and will be determined according to the successful candidate’s experience and qualifications.
Research Focus
The programme is seeking candidates with substantial expertise who can develop research agendas examining the future of scientific discovery and its implications for institutions, policy and society.
Potential research areas include:
- Institutions and norms governing scientific research.
- Science funding mechanisms and incentive structures.
- Regulatory frameworks affecting scientific research and innovation.
- Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in scientific research.
- The impact of emerging tools on biological and physical sciences.
- New scientific frontiers enabled by discoveries, instruments and analytical frameworks.
- Innovation ecosystems and technological change.
- The moral and civic implications of accelerating scientific discovery.
- The effects of scientific advances on individuals and society.
Candidates are expected to bring meaningful subject-matter expertise to their proposed research area. The programme is not intended to provide foundational training in a scientific field; instead, it seeks to help established or emerging experts deepen, refine and communicate their existing knowledge.
Research and Professional Development
Successful scholars will become part of Mercatus’s interdisciplinary research community and participate fully in the Emerging Scholars Program.
During the one-year appointment, each scholar will develop a substantial research project and produce regular public-facing content. Depending on the candidate’s expertise and research agenda, this may include written work or multimedia outputs designed to communicate complex scientific and policy questions to broader audiences.
Scholars will also participate in a weekly work-in-progress seminar and a policy discussion group. Regular individual meetings with programme leadership will provide additional opportunities to receive feedback and refine research priorities.
Communications Training
A major component of the programme is an intensive 10-week communications training sequence. The training is designed to help scholars translate specialised expertise into compelling public communication.
Training areas include:
- Professional and public-facing writing.
- Personal branding.
- Public speaking.
- Media engagement.
- Podcasting.
- Design.
- Other forms of public communication.
This training is particularly relevant to researchers who want to expand their influence beyond academic audiences and contribute to policy discussions, public debates and broader conversations about science and technology.
Mentorship Opportunities
Each Emerging Scholar will be assigned two mentors who will provide guidance throughout the programme. Scholars are also encouraged to seek additional mentorship based on their research interests and professional objectives.
The programme is led by Rebecca Lowe, Director of Emerging Scholars, with scholars also benefiting from Mercatus’s broader intellectual community and research working groups relevant to their areas of interest.
Through mentorship, seminars, peer engagement and public communication training, participants will have opportunities to strengthen both their research agendas and their ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidates will have significant subject-matter depth and a demonstrated ability to engage seriously with questions surrounding scientific discovery, technological change and public policy.
Applicants should be capable of developing a research agenda connected to one or more of the programme’s priority themes. They should also be prepared to communicate their ideas credibly to both technical and policy-oriented audiences.
The programme particularly suits researchers, scholars and experts who want to examine how institutions, incentives and governance influence the direction and consequences of scientific and technological progress.
Salary and Employee Benefits
In addition to an annual salary ranging from $80,000 to $150,000, Mercatus provides a comprehensive benefits package for individual employees.
Benefits include:
- Full health and dental coverage.
- Unlimited paid time off.
- Long-term disability insurance.
- Life insurance.
- A 403(b) retirement savings programme.
- Parking and travel benefits.
- Twelve free credits per year at George Mason University.
How to Apply
Applicants are required to submit a cover letter and resume through Mercatus’s online application process. The cover letter must clearly indicate the applicant’s interest in the Mercatus Center’s mission and should demonstrate how their research interests align with the Future of Scientific Discovery Emerging Scholar track.
The position offers a competitive opportunity for experts interested in the intersection of science, technology, institutions, public policy and society. Candidates with substantial expertise and a strong interest in public-facing research are encouraged to consider applying.
