Research Intern, Flourishing Alignment Dataset

Research Intern, Flourishing Alignment Dataset

Remote · Full-time, 35 hrs/week · $4,000 per month · Immediate – Dec 31, 2026 · 1 opening

We're hiring quickly. We review applications as they arrive, and the role stays open until both positions are filled. We hope to start as close to October 19 as possible.

About Positive AI Labs

Positive AI Labs is a nonprofit working to make sure AI systems reflect the best of what humanity knows about living well. Toward that end, we're building the Flourishing Alignment Dataset, a curated, copyright-clean collection of texts drawn from the world's wisdom traditions, ethical systems, and multi-disciplinary research on human flourishing. The dataset complements Flourishbench, our work on evaluating how well AI systems support human flourishing.

The role

We're seeking one remote research intern for the first phase of the dataset. The intern will be responsible for specific sub-categories of the wisdom data. The intern's role will involve researching and selecting key texts, accurately determining copyright classifications, seeking permission from responsible parties for the inclusion of copyright protected documents in the dataset, and documenting their work completely and accurately. You'll work closely with the project lead and the technical lead. Expect to use AI research tools every day.

What you'll do

• Research and screen candidate texts across your assigned subcategories.
• Verify and classify each text under our copyright system.
• Download and prepare cleared open-access texts.
• Draft and send permission requests to publishers and rights holders, and track their replies.
• Draft and review short summaries of in-copyright works, checking them for accuracy and originality.
• Keep a shared tracking sheet up to date so every decision is recorded and can be audited.
• Join weekly check-ins and report on progress and open questions.

What we're looking for

• Strong research skills and comfort working with primary sources and library databases.
• Precision and patience with detail. In this role, how carefully you document your work matters as much as how fast you find things.
• Clear, professional writing. You'll write to publishers and summarize serious books.
• Curiosity about wisdom traditions, ethics, or the science of flourishing, and respect for traditions beyond your own.
• Experience with, or willingness to learn, AI research tools, Google Sheets/Drive and basic GitHub.
• Integrity about sourcing. We use only lawful sources and follow a strict verification policy.
• The ability to work independently and remotely, with about 35 hours a week available through the end of 2026.

Nice to have

• Coursework or experience in copyright, publishing, library science or research ethics.
• Familiarity with the research on human flourishing or positive psychology.

What you'll gain

• Paid, hands-on experience building a dataset for AI alignment research.
• Practical training in copyright checking and responsible AI data practices.
• Credit as a contributor to the Flourishing Alignment Dataset.

How to apply

Submit a resume and a cover letter of one page or less. In your cover letter, pick one book or text you think belongs in a dataset about human flourishing. Tell us why it belongs, and how you'd find out whether it's legal to include.

Contractor status

This is a 1099 independent contractor position. Contractors are paid monthly and receive no employee benefits. They're responsible for their own taxes, and PAL doesn't withhold income or payroll taxes. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States; we can't sponsor visas or accept CPT/OPT.