Student Assistant (m/f/d) "AI Workforce & Innovation" (Remote)

interface is an independent European think tank at the intersection of technology and society. We aim to democratise knowledge about technologies to advance tech policy in the public interest in Germany, Europe and beyond.

Across our programme areas: Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity Policy and Resilience, Digital Rights, Surveillance and Democracy, Digital Public Sphere and Platform Regulation, and Global Chip Dynamics, we produce expertise, develop policy recommendations, and inform the political and public debate.

Our AI Workforce and Innovation programme is a pioneering research initiative examining the complex dynamics of AI talent across the European Union. We explore international talent flows, workforce trends, and gender disparities in the AI sector, analysing data on talent migration, retention, and the impact of global competition to understand the evolving AI labour landscape. We work alongside international organisations, brief policymakers, and contribute to national AI strategies, translating our findings into decisions.

The program's research covers a wide range of topics, from the challenges of attracting and retaining international AI professionals to the persistent gender gap at various career levels to the mapping the talent that makes the green and digital transition possible across Europe. The program also runs an ongoing series preparing examinations of national AI labour markets, providing granularity into workforce concentration and capacity at an EU Member State-level.

Through rigorous research and practical recommendations, we aim to strengthen Europe's competitiveness in the global AI arena, addressing brain drain, innovation, and gender inequality, and supporting a more competitive and inclusive AI ecosystem across the Union.

We are currently seeking a student assistant to join our team. The position involves 15-20 hours per week for the AI Workforce and Innovation program, starting in November 2026. This opportunity offers valuable experience in AI and global labour market analysis.

• Researching background for upcoming papers: running literature reviews and distilling academic publications, industry reports, and press coverage into sharp, usable summaries.
• Tracking new research, reports, and debates across the AI workforce space, and maintaining a running log that keeps the team ahead of the field.
• Turning programme content and data into clear written and visual outputs, from policy briefs and briefing materials to presentation slides and data visualisations.
• Preparing briefings ahead of the conferences, workshops, and meetings the team attends, so colleagues arrive with the context and talking points they need.
• Helping run events end to end, from logistics and preparation through delivery and follow-up, across formats from virtual workshops to in-person community gatherings.
• Supporting research design, including developing survey questionnaires and helping shape research questions and strategies.
• Contributing to publications through proofreading and fact-checking references and footnotes.

• You're currently enrolled at a university or university of applied sciences, ideally with one to two years still ahead of you. Any field is welcome: European studies, economics, political or social sciences, communication, public policy, or something adjacent.
• You're curious about AI and labour markets, and about the questions that sit next to them, like migration, gender and inclusion, education, and innovation. You're drawn to research that crosses disciplines and doesn't stay in one lane.
• You're a careful researcher with a good eye for detail, the kind of person who notices the footnote that doesn't add up.
• You're comfortable with data: you can read a trend, interpret a graph, and follow the basics of how the numbers were put together.
• You're independent, precise, and forward-thinking, but you also genuinely like working as part of a team, and you're happy doing it in a remote setup.
• You are officially registered as a resident in Germany and work from here. Unfortunately, remote work from other countries isn't possible.
• You are proficient in spoken and written English (C1 level).

• Hands-on experience with the methods and working culture of an innovative, internationally operating think tank.
• Flexible working hours and the option to work remotely from anywhere in Germany.
• A gross monthly salary of €1,257 (based on 20 hours per week).
• A monthly remote work allowance of €20.
• 30 days of annual leave (based on a five-day week), plus an extra day off on 31 December.
• A student employment contract, extendable up to a maximum of two years for the duration of your studies.
• Close mentorship from an experienced research team, with regular feedback and room to develop your own interests.
• A real say in the work: your questions and ideas feed into how we shape our research, not just how we deliver it.

We welcome applications from individuals of all ages, ethnic origins, nationalities, genders, gender identities, physical abilities, cognitive diversity, religions, beliefs, sexual orientations, and social backgrounds. We strongly encourage candidates from ethnic minorities and other underrepresented groups to apply and bring their unique perspectives to our team.

Please apply with:

• a short, maximal one page cover letter that states your motivation and possible starting date as well as
• a CV (without photo)

All documents in one PDF-file. Via the following link:
The application deadline is the 27th September 2026. The selection interviews will take place virtually in October.
If you have any questions, please contact Madlen Schliephake (hr@interface-eu.org).

interface is an independent expert organisation specialising in information technology and public policy. Our goal is to ensure that political decision-makers have the expertise and ideas necessary to create policies and make decisions that put the public interest first. We provide analysis and ideas to decision-makers and the public across Europe on issues such as artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, platform oversight, global chip dynamics and government surveillance. To produce analysis and advice that matters to policymakers, our experts combine a deep understanding of technology with practical experience of how government processes work.