Research Lead

The role

The Research Lead will develop and lead a research agenda to reduce catastrophic risks from advanced AI. You will build and lead a team, set research direction, mentor staff, and remain hands-on with code and experiments.

What you will do

• Articulate a research agenda with a clear theory of change
• Grow and lead a team of technical staff
• Lead novel research projects
• Share research findings through written content and presentations
• Mentor and coach junior team members
• Contribute to the FAR.AI intellectual environment
• Build a research field through grantmaking and events

Required qualifications

• Strong existing research track record in AI or another highly technical subject (e.g. CS, math, physics)
• Clear view of which safety research directions are likely to matter most over the next few years
• A clear research agenda or a strong track record to sharpen into an agenda
• Experience leading a team, mentoring graduate students, or supporting early-career researchers
• Ability to effectively communicate novel methods and solutions to technical and non-technical audiences
• Substantive engagement with the AI safety field through prior research, employment, or sustained independent contribution

Nice to have

• Established publication record in AI safety
• Comfortable writing grant proposals and navigating collaborations

Benefits

• Health Insurance - 94% of Insurance premium paid by Organization commencing within 1 month after start date
• Retirement - 401(k) plan with up to 2% match
• 25 days Paid Time Off per year
• Up to 10 days of paid sick leave per year
• Paid Bereavement, Family, Medical and Pregnancy Disability Leave
• Work computer and stipend provided for eligible employees
• Catered lunches and dinners on workdays at the Berkeley office
• Payment for work-related travel and equipment expenses

Before you apply

• Visa sponsorship is available for in-person employees
• Application requires CV, research direction statement, 2-3 selected works, and a note on why FAR.AI is a good home
• Process includes portfolio review, fit call, research deep-day, 5-day paid work trial, reference calls, and decision panel

About the company

FAR.AI is a non-profit AI research institute working to ensure advanced AI is safe and beneficial for everyone. The organization conducts pre-deployment testing, publishes research, and supports the AI safety community through grants and events.