Research Associate

Economic Architecture is seeking to hire a Research Associate for a position starting on September 1, 2025.

THE ORGANIZATION

Economic Architecture is a mission-driven nonprofit focused on driving change at the structural level. We address the most stubborn challenges impacting society, particularly those that affect the most vulnerable communities. Economic Architecture is dedicated to the premise that we can and should (re)design our markets to serve the public good. When we do, we have the potential to tap into the drive, ambition, and ingenuity of market participants to solve problems of historic proportion. 

Since launching only a year ago, we have focused on closing the racial wealth gap by making home ownership more accessible and sustainable. This is just the first of many structural economic challenges we plan to address in the coming years. 

Our work includes: 

· Fostering structural innovations: Collaborate with innovators across the country to bring structural innovations to fruition. 

· Designing structural innovations: Design, build and launch structural innovations with the potential to use the market to address large social problems. 

· Understanding structural innovations: Drive a growing awareness and understanding of when and how to (re)design the market to improve people’s lives. 

JOB DESCRIPTION

The primary responsibility of the Research associate is to contribute to the development of the theoretical framework inspiring the work of the organization, in collaboration with the project leaders.

Topics to be explored include: structural innovations, structural change, structural injustice and inequalities, the role of market-based innovations in promoting structural change, criteria to identify problems requiring structural solutions, criteria to evaluate the potential and merits of structural innovations, social value.

The Research Associate will work with an interdisciplinary team of researchers led by Stuart Yasgur (President of Economic Architecture; PhD in Philosophy, London School of Economics) and Mauro Rossi (Professor of Philosophy at UQAM; PhD in Philosophy, London School of Economics).

We are specifically seeking a philosopher for this position because of the rich and growing body of philosophical work on these topics. Recent philosophical discussions have provided new conceptual tools and normative frameworks that are crucial for addressing the complex questions posed by structural change and innovation. By integrating philosophical insight with empirical and policy-oriented approaches, we hope to refine the foundations of what we call economic architecture.

We aim to build a vibrant and intellectually diverse community around these questions. This is our first Research Associate position, and it marks the beginning of a long-term initiative. Our goal is to create a sustained and collaborative environment by adding new research positions each year, thereby fostering an interdisciplinary community dedicated to advancing this emerging field.

We expect the Research Associate to jointly author articles and disseminate research findings through presentations and publications in academic and non-academic journals, to advance the field of economic architecture. The Research Associate will have access to annual conference funds.

No teaching is required.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Candidates should hold a PhD in philosophy or equivalent in a relevant discipline in law, social sciences or the humanities, and have a promising record of research (appropriate to their rank) as evidenced by high-quality publications, academic presentations, and other research outcomes.

More specific requirements include: 

· A commitment to working in an interdisciplinary environment

· Excellent communication and writing skills.

· Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities.

· Some exposure to one or more of the following fields:  

Public Policy  

Social Entrepreneurship, Social Impact, and/or Innovation  

Economics, Law, Sociology, and/or other discipline with an emphasis on economies   

POSITION

Job Type: Full-time, remote-first

Duration: This is a one-year research position, which may be extended for multiple years, subject to evaluation.

Salary: USD 70,000