Senior AI Governance Researcher

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ABOUT APOLLO RESEARCH:

The capabilities of current AI systems are evolving at a rapid pace. While these advancements offer tremendous opportunities, they also present significant risks, such as the potential for deliberate misuse or the deployment of sophisticated yet misaligned models. At Apollo Research, our primary concern lies with deceptive alignment, a phenomenon where a model appears to be aligned but is, in fact, misaligned and capable of evading human oversight. You can learn more about our work on our blog and research page.

ABOUT THE GOVERNANCE TEAM:

You will join Apollo Research at an exciting time in its growth phase and become a member of a high-performing team. We are a tight-knit, collaborative team that works and delivers at a fast pace. The Governance team's work includes close collaboration with our technical colleagues in the Evaluations and Interpretability teams.

Most of our work to date is non-public and shared directly with key decision-makers, but you can get a good intuition of its scope by reviewing some of our public items: here, here, and here.

THE ROLE:

As a Senior AI Governance Researcher, you will play a leading role in strategically planning, coordinating and delivering the team's research agenda and outputs. Your work will complement and build on the Governance team's existing work streams on policy development and stakeholder engagement with international governments, think tanks and industry players. As a Senior AI Governance Researcher, you will generate project-specific research, recommendations and thought leadership on various governance questions, engaging closely with our technical colleagues. This could include, for example, investigating the adequacy of existing regulation, standardisation, risk management frameworks, in-depth research on case studies from related industries (e.g. bio or aviation), as well as identifying salient research questions falling under reliability, safety, security, and wider societal implications.

We are a multi-disciplinary team and strongly encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every single qualification. We also welcome applications from individuals with experience in fields different from the aforementioned and at varying stages of their careers. We will assess fit on individual merit and are open to tailoring the role and title for the right candidate.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identify, develop and lead strategic research projects, based on examinations of policy, technical and societal implications of AI trends and blindspots in the existing research landscape.
• Generate research, publications, and thought leadership on topics relevant to the development and implementation of robust governance frameworks for AI.
• Track and analyse regulatory, policy, and related technical developments in assigned areas.
• Where applicable, collaborate on publications with researchers at other organisations and provide feedback on their work to convey Apollo Research's positions.
• Be instrumental in the development and implementation of Apollo Research's recommendations for governance frameworks and policies.
• Contribute to the preparation and delivery of expert briefings to governments, think tanks and other key stakeholders.

CANDIDATE CHARACTERISTICS. Some considerations that might mean you will thrive in this role:

• You are proactive, naturally curious and receptive to feedback.
• You enjoy 'thinking big' and like to identify and creatively tackle difficult questions and problems.
• You have a track record of effectively collaborating with multiple technical and non-technical stakeholders and are able to coordinate, align, and synthesise a range of diverse inputs.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE:

• A proven track record of developing and publishing research, policy, or technical materials.
• As an example, if your background is in academia, we would like to see several peer-reviewed publications or high-impact reports;
• As an example, if your background is in policy-making, we would like to see that you have contributed to the writing of relevant policy or have shaped important adjacent developments.
• As an example, if your background is in law, we would like to see that you have contributed to relevant pieces of legislation or conducted impactful legal analysis and argumentation on active cases.
• Experience designing, managing and executing an end-to-end workflow for research projects, including engaging with various contributors on collaborative projects.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE:

• Demonstrated ability to produce excellent and impactful work (typically research outputs) or other impressive results that shifted relevant conversations.
• Experience in accurately foreseeing trends, identifying research gaps, and successfully executing these insights.
• As an example, you worked at and produced output at pace during a presidential election campaign;
• As an example, you worked on planning, policy or research during events of national importance, such as the drafting of the US Executive Order, the setting up of the AI Safety Institutes, the COVID-19 pandemic or after the 2008 financial crisis;
• As an example, you led the research and writing efforts for a conference paper, e.g. as a first author.
• Previous engagement with literature applicable to AI governance, including but not limited to e.g. risk management, law, technical AI safety, or institutional design.
• Ability to leverage a network and set of expertise that would complement Apollo Research's existing network and expertise.
• As an example, this could mean a background in nuclear non-proliferation or biosecurity;
• As an example, this could mean a trusted network with US government staffers or with decision-makers in international organisations.

LOGISTICS:

• Target Start Date: September 1, 2024 (Flexible, but sooner is preferred)
• Location: London, UK. We prefer in-person work but are willing to explore remote working arrangements for exceptional candidates.
• Time Allocation: The position is full-time, but we are open to exploring part-time work for exceptional candidates.
• There is potential to transition to a permanent role.

BENEFITS:

• Competitive salary commensurate with the experience of the candidate.
• Private Medical Insurance
• Flexible work hours and schedule
• Unlimited vacation
• Unlimited sick leave
• Lunch, dinner, and snacks provided for all employees on workdays
• Paid work trips, including staff retreats, business trips, and relevant conferences
• A yearly $1,000 professional development budget

How to apply: Please fill out this application form below and provide your CV and any relevant work samples or links. The provision of a cover letter is optional but not necessary. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, so early application is strongly encouraged.

Equality Statement: Apollo Research is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and are committed to providing equal opportunities to all, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.