Technology Policy Strategist, Liberty and National Security Program

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to improve the systems of democracy and justice in the United States. We work to hold our political institutions and laws accountable to the twin American ideals of democracy and equal justice for all. The Brennan Center’s work ranges from voting rights to campaign finance reform, from ending mass incarceration to preserving Constitutional protections in national security policies.

Part think‑tank, part advocacy group, part cutting edge communications hub, we start with rigorous research. We craft innovative policies. And we fight for them – in Congress and the states, in the courts, and in the court of public opinion.

The Brennan Center’s Liberty and National Security (LNS) Program works to advance effective national security policies that respect the rule of law and constitutional values. Our current program priorities include ensuring that Congress and the courts serve their constitutional role as a check on executive power in the area of national security; bolstering First and Fourth Amendment protections in the digital age;

ending racial, religious, and ethnic profiling in counter terrorism policies; enhancing transparency, oversight, and accountability for intelligence and law enforcement agencies; ensuring that national security artificial intelligence is deployed only when it is safe, effective, fair; and reforming emergency powers to strengthen safeguards against abuse.

The Brennan Center seeks a creative Technology Policy Strategist to join the Liberty and National Security program to work on issues related to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies by national security, homeland security, intelligence, and law enforcement programs and agencies. The strategist will work with staff in the program to develop and execute a roster of projects that promote fairness, civil rights and civil liberties, transparency, accountability, and oversight in government programs that rely on these technologies.

The strategist will report to attorneys in the program.

Our technology and national security work currently focuses on the military’s acquisition and use of AI, developing AI governance frameworks for intelligence agencies, and state and local regulation of surveillance technologies and data‑driven policing. This work entails collaboration with lawmakers, former and current government officials, allies in the field, and AI researchers and experts. The Brennan Center’s methods include litigation, legislative and policy advocacy, media and communications, legal and empirical research and writing, and public education.

Note:

This position is based at our headquarters in New York City.

• Develop and manage projects that promote transparency, accountability, and protection for civil liberties and rights in government uses of AI.
• Contribute relevant technical, industry, and legislative expertise to support the Program’s work.
• Conduct research—legal and factual—in support of policy advocacy, legislative reform, and communications initiatives.
• Help to advance policy reforms, often in collaboration with coalition partners.
• Write and speak to legal and non‑legal audiences, including opinion pieces and public appearances.
• Contribute to strategic planning to maximize our team’s contributions in this space.
• Supervise and mentor interns and research or program associates.
• Contribute to team administration, including recruitment and hiring, and work with communications and development professionals.

Required:

A graduate degree or equivalent experience in computer science, public policy, law or a related field.

The ideal candidate will offer some combination—although not necessarily all—of the following experiences and qualifications.

• Minimum of five years’ relevant experience.
• Interest and capacity to tackle relevant technological developments and the ability to apply and translate that knowledge effectively in a law and policy team setting.
• Excellent research and analysis skills.
• Previous work in technology or digital rights, ideally in the…