Research

While we are rooted in Management Science & Engineering, our vision is inherently interdisciplinary. We welcome researchers from Computer Science (HCI/Social Computing), Sociology, Organizational Behavior, Psychology, and Economics.

We encourage projects that align with our core mission—redesigning the DNA of organizations through AI. If your work explores human-AI symbiosis or agentic structures, there is likely a place for it here.

We actively partner with major tech companies and research field sites to provide high-fidelity, real-world data on how AI is actually being adopted and used in frontline and executive contexts.

We prioritize a high-touch, collaborative environment. Expect weekly syncs, paper workshops, and regular brainstorming sessions that bridge the gap between technical CS perspectives and social science theory.

Yes. A key part of our mission is bridging scholarly research with lived realities. You will have opportunities to work directly with our partner companies to validate your research in live organizational settings.

Funding varies by project and appointment type. We recommend checking specific calls for applications or inquiring about current grant-funded positions.

We typically align with the standard academic cycle, but we often have rolling openings as new research projects or industry partnerships are launched.

Our researchers are prepared for both tenure-track faculty positions at top-tier universities and high-level research roles in industry.

Absolutely. We believe the most impactful work in this space must speak to both technical and organizational audiences.

Yes. We frequently have undergraduates assist with data collection, literature reviews, and coding. We value the fresh perspective and energy that earlier-stage students bring to complex organizational problems.

Volunteers typically join for a specific project or quarter to get a feel for the lab's culture. It's a great way to build your CV and see if you want to pursue more formal research in the future.

Yes. Depending on your experience and technical background, Master's students often take on roles as project leads for technical implementations or industry-facing pilots.

We look for a mix of skills across the team:

• Technical: Python, R, experience with LLM APIs, or data visualization

• Qualitative: Strong writing skills, interview experience, or an interest in ethnography

• Conceptual: A deep curiosity about how people work and how organizations function

Not at all. We value diverse majors—from Communication and Sociology to Symbolic Systems and Product Design. If you're interested in the intersection of humans and technology, you're in the right place.

Yes. Students often enroll in independent study credits (e.g., MS&E 190 or 290) while working with the lab. We recommend discussing this with your academic advisor once you are accepted into a project.

Experience here is highly valued by top tech companies, consulting firms, and startups. You'll be able to demonstrate that you've worked on applied AI—understanding not just how to build a model, but how to deploy it effectively in a human environment.

We offer a limited number of paid research assistantships each year, primarily during the summer. During the academic year, most positions are for-credit or volunteer-based.

You will primarily work within a "pod" consisting of a faculty member, a PhD student, and other research assistants. This structure ensures you get close mentorship and regular feedback on your work.

Field sites are organizations where our researchers conduct real-world studies. This often involves observations, interviews, or pilot programs designed to test how AI-driven workflows and agentic structures change the way people work.

Partners gain early access to cutting-edge research and evidence-based frameworks. Our goal is to provide you with actionable insights into your organization's AI maturity, human-AI synergy, and structural health before they become common industry knowledge.

We design our research to be low-friction. Whether it is a ten-month ethnography or a short-form survey, we work closely with your leadership to ensure our presence supports—rather than disrupts—daily operations.

Not at all. We are specifically looking for a diverse range of sites, including healthcare, legal services, insurance, and traditional retail. We are interested in how AI transforms work in any context where humans and algorithms must coordinate.

We are currently exploring themes such as algorithmic co-repair, how organization charts change when "org-as-product" is the model, and how agentic power users change role structures.

We typically partner with Chief Human Resource Officers, Chief Technology Officers, or Heads of Innovation/AI Strategy. We need a champion who understands the strategic value of redesigning work for the AI era.

No. We cannot accept payment when conducting research with a company.