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28卒対象 /Research Scientist, ELSI (Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues) - Mercari

Salary not provided

English & Japanese
English: IntermediateJapanese: Intermediate
Mercari

Research Scientist Internship

Research Scientist, ELSI (Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues) – Internship

Class of FY28

JD in Japanese follows the English description.

Role Summary

As a Research Scientist (Intern) in the ELSI (Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues) field, you will engage in interdisciplinary projects to assess, anticipate, and help shape the social impact of advanced technologies (AI, robotics, AR/VR, blockchain, quantum computing, and more). You will collaborate closely with internal teams and external academic or research institutions, helping ensure technological innovation aligns with ethical, legal, and societal considerations.

Team Mission

The organization is dedicated to pioneering new forms of value through "Co-innovation", a research and development approach that fosters collaboration across industry, academia, and government. Efforts focus on creating a hub for open innovation while advancing research topics like AI, HCI, quantum computing, blockchain, and ELSI.
As part of the team, you will:

  • Engage with researchers across diverse fields.
  • Co-design the societal integration of advanced technology from research inception.
  • Collaborate both with internal teams and external (academic/industry) partners.
  • Receive technical input from products that serve millions of users.

Responsibilities

  • Analyze the social impact of advanced technologies under research (e.g., AI, robotics, RWA, AR/VR, quantum computing) and reflect insights in research planning.
  • Build risk assessment frameworks and perform specific assessments for tech implementation into both products and society.
  • Collaborate on the formulation and operation of guidelines to address ethical considerations from the beginning stages of development.
  • Continuously update guidelines and operational knowledge in response to technological and societal change.
  • Collaborate with internal/external stakeholders, actively manage projects.
  • Monitor global regulations and standards (e.g., EU AI Act), analyze and propose their impact on business.
  • Summarize findings for presentations at conferences and submission to journals.

Unique Challenges

  • Propel ELSI research with daily interactions across disciplines (AI, HCI, quantum computing, etc.).
  • Co-design social implementation of advanced tech from the initial research stage.
  • Conduct long-term, cross-disciplinary projects in collaboration with academia.
  • Access meaningful technical input from major consumer products.

Qualifications

Required:

  • Master’s degree or above (including expected degree) in humanities or social science fields such as ethics, philosophy, or sociology.
  • Demonstrated ability in interdisciplinary research beyond primary expertise.
  • Experience driving/participating in projects with multiple specialists/practitioners.
  • Analytical ability to evaluate and articulate the social impacts of technology from multiple perspectives.
  • Skill in translating humanities/social science knowledge into practical, organizational systems or processes.

Preferred:

  • Ph.D. holder or candidate (humanities/social sciences).
  • ELSI research experience related to advanced technologies (e.g., AI, robotics).
  • Practical experience in technology assessment/social impact evaluation.
  • Experience with ELSI projects in tech companies, think tanks, or public research institutes.
  • Project management experience in cross-disciplinary teams.

Language:

  • Japanese: Independent (CEFR B2 or higher)
  • English: Independent (CEFR B2 or higher)
    About CEFR

Learn More

Selection Process

  1. Document screening
  2. Interview(s)
    • Presentation and discussion of submitted essay (see below)
  3. Reference Check
  4. Offer

For an overview of the process, see this page.

Required Documents

  • Resume / CV
    Should include:

    • Interdisciplinary research track record
    • Experience driving or participating in multi-expert projects
    • Analysis and articulation of technology’s social impact from multiple perspectives
    • Experience translating humanities/social sciences knowledge into practical organizational systems

  • Essay (Approx. 2000–3000 Japanese characters or English equivalent):
    Select one advanced technology (AI, robotics, AR/VR, RWA, quantum computing) and suppose it is socially implemented. Address:

    1. The positive impact of the technology and the expected ELSI
    2. Based on your expertise and experience, discuss an approach for the company to safely and acceptably implement this technology

Equal Opportunity

This organization aims to realize a world where everyone can create value regardless of background, and Inclusion & Diversity is central to the mission. Discrimination based on age, gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, or physical ability is not tolerated.

Please review our I&D statement and Privacy Policy before applying.

28卒対象 / Research Scientist, ELSI（インターンシップ）[Japanese]

  • 雇用形態：　インターン
  • 働き方：　フレックスタイム制（コアタイムなし）
  • 勤務地：　六本木

詳細はキャリアサイトの 募集要項 よりご確認ください

組織・チームのミッション

「まだ見ぬ価値を切り拓く」をミッションに、Co-innovation的なアプローチで産業界やアカデミア、国を超えた連携と社会課題解決を推進しています。AI、HCI、量子コンピュータ、ブロックチェーン、ELSIなど多様な分野の研究に携わり、社内外と協働しながら社会実装を設計できます。

業務内容

  • AI、ロボット、RWA、AR/VR、量子コンピュータ等、研究開発中の先端技術が社会へ与えるインパクトを分析し、研究計画等に反映する
  • リスクアセスメント枠組み構築・具体的なアセスメント実施
  • 倫理的配慮を組み込むためのガイドラインの策定・運用・更新
  • 社内外ステークホルダーと積極的に連携しプロジェクトを推進
  • 国内外の規制・規範（EU AI Act等）をモニタリングし、事業への影響を分析・提言
  • 得られた知見を国内外の学会発表・論文投稿等で発信

ユニークなチャレンジ

  • AI、HCI、量子コンピュータ等、各分野の研究者・エンジニアとELSI研究を共創
  • 他大学研究者との協働による自由度の高い長期研究
  • 毎月2,000万人利用のプロダクトからも技術的インプットを受け独立性高い研究が可能

応募要件

求める経験・スキル

  • 人文社会科学系の修士号以上（取得見込含む）
  • 専門を超えた学際的研究の実績
  • 複数専門家を含むプロジェクトの参画・推進経験
  • 技術の社会的影響分析・言語化力
  • 人文社会科学の知見を組織内で実装する力

歓迎

  • 博士号取得（見込含む）
  • 先端技術に関するELSI研究経験
  • テクノロジーアセスメント経験
  • テック企業・シンクタンク・公的研究機関でのELSIプロジェクト従事経験
  • 異分野混成チームでのPM経験

語学力

  • 日本語：B2以上
  • 英語：B2以上
    CEFR詳細

メルカリグループについて知る

選考について

  1. 書類選考
  2. 面接（複数回の場合有）
    • 作文内容のプレゼンテーション＋ディスカッション
  3. リファレンス
  4. オファー

詳細：選考プロセス

提出書類

  • 職務経歴書（学際的研究、プロジェクト経験、社会的影響分析、知識の実装実績含む）
  • 作文（2000〜3000字）：
    先端技術を一つ選び、社会実装を仮定し、
      1. ポジティブなインパクトとELSI
      1. 技術実装に企業が取るべきアプローチ（専門・経験に基づき）

機会の平等

多様なバックグラウンドの方へ平等な採用機会を提供します。
年齢、性別、性的指向、人種、宗教、身体能力等による差別を排除します。
I&D statement
プライバシーポリシー

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