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Think Tanks Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Tencent

Associate, Global AI Policy

Palo Alto, CA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Stakeholder Engagement * Assist in managing relationships with think tanks, academic institutions, trade associations, and policy organizations. * Support Tencent's participation in AI policy forums ...

The Advance Group, Inc.

$15.50 - $20.75/hr

Our interns have gone on to work for elected officials, think tanks, the media and government agencies. For those that are able to participate in person, we offer access to a variety of events and ...

The Advance Group, Inc.

$16 - $21.25/hr

Our interns have gone on to work for elected officials, think tanks, the media and government agencies. For those that are able to participate in person, we offer access to a variety of events and ...

The Advance Group, Inc.

$16 - $21.25/hr

Our interns have gone on to work for elected officials, think tanks, the media and government agencies. For those that are able to participate in person, we offer access to a variety of events and ...

The Advance Group, Inc.

$15 - $19.75/hr

Our interns have gone on to work for elected officials, think tanks, the media and government agencies. For those that are able to participate in person, we offer access to a variety of events and ...

The Advance Group, Inc.

$15.75 - $21/hr

Our interns have gone on to work for elected officials, think tanks, the media and government agencies. For those that are able to participate in person, we offer access to a variety of events and ...

The Advance Group, Inc.

$16 - $21.50/hr

Our interns have gone on to work for elected officials, think tanks, the media and government agencies. For those that are able to participate in person, we offer access to a variety of events and ...

The Advance Group, Inc.

$16.25 - $21.50/hr

Our interns have gone on to work for elected officials, think tanks, the media and government agencies. For those that are able to participate in person, we offer access to a variety of events and ...

The Advance Group, Inc.

$16.25 - $21.75/hr

Our interns have gone on to work for elected officials, think tanks, the media and government agencies. For those that are able to participate in person, we offer access to a variety of events and ...

The Advance Group, Inc.

$15.25 - $20.25/hr

Our interns have gone on to work for elected officials, think tanks, the media and government agencies. For those that are able to participate in person, we offer access to a variety of events and ...

Our National Conversation

Board Member

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

We are part journalism, part student-led public policy think tank and part social movement. We have been in startup mode for a while now, building the foundation. Now it's time to build the house. We ...

Planet

Data Visualization Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

Partner with the Media Programs Manager and the rest of the DataViz team to prepare and share imagery externally with the press, think tanks and analysts as they try to meet tight deadlines.

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Think Tanks information

See California salary details

$68.6K

$123.2K

$169.3K

How much do think tanks jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for think tanks in California is $123,197.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,700.00 and $149,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a think tank?

A think tank job involves research, analysis, and policy development on various political, social, economic, or scientific issues. Professionals in think tanks conduct studies, draft reports, and provide recommendations to governments, organizations, or the public. Roles can range from researchers and analysts to policy advisors and communications specialists. Think tanks may be independent, affiliated with governments, or associated with academic institutions. The goal is to influence policy decisions through evidence-based research and expert insights.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of professionals working in think tanks?

Professionals in think tanks spend much of their day conducting in-depth research, analyzing data, and preparing reports or policy briefs on specific issues. They often engage in meetings with colleagues, attend seminars or conferences, and collaborate with external experts to inform their work. Regular activities also include presenting findings to key stakeholders, writing for academic and public audiences, and participating in discussions that shape organizational projects. This dynamic environment requires adaptability and a proactive approach to tackling pressing societal challenges.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the think tanks position, and why are they important?

To thrive in a think tank role, professionals typically need advanced research skills, strong analytical abilities, and educational credentials in fields such as public policy, economics, or international relations. Familiarity with data analysis software, research databases, and sometimes specialized modeling tools is often important, along with publication experience. Excellent communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills set individuals apart, enabling them to convey complex ideas clearly and interact with diverse stakeholders. These competencies are essential to producing high-impact research, informing policy decisions, and building a strong reputation within the think tank sector.

What cities in California are hiring for Think Tanks jobs?

Cities in California with the most Think Tanks job openings:

Think Tanks jobs near you
Infographic showing various Think Tanks job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $123,197 per year, or $59.2 per hour.

Associate, Global AI Policy

Tencent

Palo Alto, CA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago

Job description

About the Hiring TeamWhat the Role EntailsA.About Tencent
Tencent is a leading global technology and entertainment company focused on connecting people and developing innovative products and services. Founded in 1998 and publicly traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since 2004, Tencent's communication and social services, entertainment (video games, music, sports, and film/TV), fintech, cloud, and enterprise solutions are used by hundreds of millions of people around the world.
Tencent has been recognized as one of the "World's Best Employers" (Forbes), including as one of the "Best Workplaces for New Graduates" (2026); one of the "World's Most Admired Companies" (Fortune); and one of the "World's Best Companies" (Time). In addition to its headquarters in Shenzhen, Tencent maintains offices across Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul, Amsterdam, London, Paris, Palo Alto, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C. To learn more about the company, visit www.Tencent.com (About Us).
B.About the Role
Tencent is seeking a highly motivated Associate, Global AI Policy to join its Global Public Affairs team in Palo Alto. This early-career position offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of artificial intelligence, public policy, technology, and international affairs.
The Associate will support Tencent's global AI policy efforts by researching emerging policy developments, monitoring legislative and regulatory activity, analyzing technology trends, and helping develop insights for Tencent businesses. The role will work closely with colleagues across public affairs, legal, compliance, and AI and Cloud product teams, while also engaging with external stakeholders including policymakers, think tanks, industry associations, academic institutions, and civil society organizations.
While the position will be based in Palo Alto, the successful candidate will contribute to Tencent's assessment and understanding of broader AI trends globally, including the US but also Europe, Asia-Pacific, etc.

Policy Research & Analysis

  • Monitor and analyze developments related to artificial intelligence, including machine learning, generative AI, agentic AI, semiconductors, and other emerging technologies.
  • Track and assess industry initiatives and policy developments in the United States and other key international markets.
  • Prepare concise policy briefings, research memoranda, presentations, and executive summaries for internal stakeholders.
  • Support analysis of AI policy trends and their potential implications for Tencent's business and technology strategy.
  • Identify emerging risks, opportunities, and policy developments relevant to Tencent's AI and cloud businesses.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Partner with internal teams across public affairs, legal, compliance, product, engineering, and research functions.
  • Assist with the development of policy positions, consultation responses, and external-facing materials.
  • Support preparation for meetings, conferences, speaking engagements, and policy discussions.

Stakeholder Engagement

  • Assist in managing relationships with think tanks, academic institutions, trade associations, and policy organizations.
  • Support Tencent's participation in AI policy forums, conferences, workshops, and industry events.
  • Help coordinate internal and external meetings and maintain stakeholder engagement databases and tracking tools.
Who We Look For

We are looking for an intellectually curious individual who enjoys learning about complex issues and translating them into clear insights for business and policy teams. The ideal candidate is a strong writer, a disciplined researcher, and someone who is genuinely excited by the policy questions surrounding artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. Successful candidates may come from leading universities, graduate programs, consulting firms, think tanks, policy research organizations, or technology companies. Most importantly, they should possess strong analytical instincts, sound judgment, and a desire to help shape the future of AI policy in a rapidly changing global environment.

Specific qualifications include:

  • Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred. Relevant fields include Public Policy, International Affairs, Political Science, Economics, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Engineering, Law, or related disciplines.
  • Strong interest in artificial intelligence, technology policy, innovation, and emerging technologies.
  • Exceptional research, writing, and analytical skills are required.
  • Ability to synthesize complex information into clear and actionable insights.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and multi-cultural environment.
  • Familiarity with AI governance, technology regulation, or digital/cloud policy preferred.
  • Mandarin with international teams preferred but not required
  • Experience conducting quantitative or qualitative policy research.

Location State(s)

US-California-Palo AltoThe expected base pay range for this position in the location(s) listed above is $82,700.00 to $200,600.00 per year. Actual pay may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Employees hired for this position may be eligible for a sign on payment, relocation package, and restricted stock units, which will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Subject to the terms and conditions of the plans in effect, hired applicants are also eligible for medical, dental, vision, life and disability benefits, and participation in the Company's 401(k) plan. The Employee is also eligible for up to 15 to 25 days of vacation per year (depending on the employee's tenure), up to 13 days of holidays throughout the calendar year, and up to 10 days of paid sick leave per year. Your benefits may be adjusted to reflect your location, employment status, duration of employment with the company, and position level. Benefits may also be pro-rated for those who start working during the calendar year.Equal Employment Opportunity at Tencent

As an equal opportunity employer, we firmly believe that diverse voices fuel our innovation and allow us to better serve our users and the community. We foster an environment where every employee of Tencent feels supported and inspired to achieve individual and common goals.

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