Regulatory Synthesis Lead | AI Governance Research; JD

Ciph Lab | Remote | Equity-Only (Pre-Seed) About Ciph Lab

Ciph Lab is building Intelligence Resources™—software that operationalizes responsible AI governance 're a 4-month-old AI governance company, AI-first and remote-first, transitioning from consultancy to agents and SaaS platform.

The regulatory landscape for AI is shifting constantly—new laws, amendments, sector-specific mandates across jurisdictions. Traditional compliance approaches can't keep pace. We're building adaptive governance systems that evolve as regulations change.

We're seeking a Regulatory Synthesis Lead (JD required) to join our founding research team. This isn't traditional corporate legal work—you'll be designing systems that scale legal expertise and building compliance infrastructure that adapts automatically to regulatory changes.

You’ll translate complex AI regulations into operational frameworks that enterprises can actually implement, while building monitoring systems that keep those frameworks current as laws evolve.

This is a founding research role with equity ownership in defining how organizations approach AI governance legally.

Legal Research & Framework Design:

• Research and analyze emerging AI regulations across jurisdictions (EU AI Act, state laws, sector mandates)
• Translate legal requirements into testable compliance criteria
• Design regulatory monitoring strategies and impact assessment frameworks
• Validate governance frameworks against current legal landscape

Building Adaptive Systems:

• Collaborate with technical team to design regulatory tracking and alerting systems
• Define legal thresholds that trigger framework updates
• Create decision trees for automated compliance validation
• Anticipate future regulatory directions to future-proof frameworks

Thought Leadership:

• Contribute to Ciph Lab's weekly newsletter on AI governance law
• Position the company as a trusted voice at the intersection of AI, law, and governance
• Share insights publicly (while protecting proprietary methods)

Required:

• JD from an accredited law school
• 3+ years legal experience (any practice area; AI/tech law experience a plus)
• Strong legal research and analysis skills
• Ability to translate complex regulations into clear operational requirements

Critical Attributes:

• Self-directed: You set your own research agenda and drive progress without micromanagement
• Systems thinker: You see how legal requirements connect to technical implementation and business operations
• Continuous learner: You stay current with rapidly evolving AI regulations
• Collaborative: You work effectively with technical and governance experts across disciplines
• Startup mindset: You thrive in ambiguity, adapt quickly, and build as you go

Not your typical legal role:

• You're building scalable compliance systems
  , not just providing legal opinions
• You work at the intersection of law, technology, and governance
• You're designing living frameworks that adapt as regulations change
• You're shaping an emerging field with limited precedent

High autonomy, flexible structure:

• Remote-first, manage your own schedule
• Weekly team meetings (Wednesdays 5-6 pm PT)
• Async collaboration via Slack and shared tools
• 5-10 hours/week commitment (scales up during peak periods)

Time: 5-10 hours/week + 1 hour weekly meeting

Structure: Part-time, flexible, remote

Compensation: 0.5-2% equity (4-year vest, 1-year cliff)

Stage: Pre-seed, no current funding

This role is for someone who:

• Values equity ownership over immediate salary
• Wants to define AI governance standards at the ground floor
• Sees legal expertise in AI governance as a high-value emerging specialty
• Is energized by building something new in an ambiguous field

First 30 days: Audit existing frameworks, identify regulatory gaps, propose research roadmap

First 90 days: Deliver regulatory mapping, design monitoring strategy, begin system design with technical team

Ongoing: Keep frameworks compliant, contribute thought leadership, position Ciph Lab as leader in AI governance law

Most AI governance is performative—checked boxes without real risk reduction. We're building frameworks that actually work: legally defensible, technically implementable, operationally practical.

As regulatory landscapes shift (and they will), organizations need systems that adapt responsibly. Your work ensures that happens.

You’ll help define what "legally compliant AI" means in practice.

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We review applications on a rolling basis.

Ciph Lab is an equal opportunity employer. We value diverse perspectives and multidimensional talent.