Research Lead (Methodology, Data, and Academic Strategy)

We’ve developed a highly innovative and powerful method to test civilizational theories using AI and historical data. It’s working, and quietly advancing. Now we need a research team lead. Someone who can help us turn a powerful prototype into a rigorous, credible research engine: shaping methods, guiding validation, and making sure our work stands up inside academia as well as in the larger world.

About The Bridge Era Institute

The Bridge Era Institute (BEI) is a field-seeding think tank - including by some of the most respected Advisors in the field - that applies a new AI-enabled “history test” for big ideas, to launch actionable frameworks that identify collapse/renewal indicators and repair strategies to help society navigate the converging crises of this Bridge Era in which we find ourselves.

We validate theories backward through centuries of data, match them with the most effective strategies in history, publish high-leverage white papers, and convene cross-sector coalitions so society can move from speculation to grounded action.

The Role: Research Lead, Methodology & Academic Strategy

This is not an entry-level role. It could possibly be a stretch early-career role for someone with serious methods chops, but is more likely a mid-career support/lead position for a researcher who wants to build something new rather than climb a traditional ladder.

You will be the point person for making sure our work is:

• Methodologically sound
• Academically credible
• Legible to both practitioners and scholars

What You Will Do

Build and refine our research engine

• Document the core RV research methodology, from hypothesis formation through archival/data work, analysis, and interpretation.
• Create protocols, templates, and checklists for literature reviews, data intake, validation, and replication.
• Help curate and define how historical and contemporary datasets flow into the research model, including standards for sourcing, cleaning, and permissions.

Guard rigor and credibility

• Lead fact-checking, robustness checks, and standard forms of validation for our claims.
• Advise on appropriate methods (quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods) for different projects and help scope what’s actually feasible.
• Identify where we need external expertise, and help build an advisory circle of scholars and practitioners.

Details

• Type: Part-time, remote
• Compensation: Volunteer / unpaid at start; we are seeking overall funding and will be transparent about funding milestones and any opportunity to transition into a paid role.
• Time: Flexible, expected 15-20 hours per week
• Duration: Initial commitment of 3–6 months, with potential to extend