Overview

Join to apply for the

Research Scientist- Strategic Awareness

role at

AI Security Institute .The AI Security Institute is the world''s largest and best-funded team dedicated to understanding advanced AI risks and translating that knowledge into action. We’re in the heart of the UK government with direct lines to No. 10, and we work with frontier developers and governments globally.Role focus

The mission of the Strategic Awareness team is to harness technical insights on AI trajectories to inform governmental preparedness for transformative AI. We conduct deep dives on critical uncertainties, track indicators and warning signals, and produce briefs for key government decision makers. We also provide technical assistance on preparedness and policy development.Role Summary

As Research Scientist, you will help drive the research work of the Strategic Awareness team. You will conduct rapid deep dives on policy-relevant questions on AI trajectories, contribute to products that communicate findings to key decision makers, and apply research findings to preparedness and policy development. You will collaborate with policy advisors and colleagues who specialise in communicating findings to government decision makers. Depending on your expertise you may lead work on AI capability trends and forecasts, or work on implications such as labour market impacts or loss-of-control risks. You may conduct literature reviews, leverage expert interviews, use forecasting methodologies, analyse data and model evaluation results, or conduct survey research.Person Specification

Critical and strategic thinking ability – track record and proven ability to identify and prioritise insightful approaches for answering underspecified questions.Experience in deeply examining AI trajectories towards transformative AI and associated impacts.Broad knowledge on frontier AI model development and safety, including frontier AI research and training, evaluations, scaling laws, compute stack, real world adoption, particular impacts or risks such as labour market impacts or loss of control risk, and awareness of jurisdictions such as the non-Western AI ecosystem.Deep expertise in one or more key topic areas or critical methodologies for the team, including but not limited to forecasting, quantitative modelling, national security indicators.Broad range of empirical research methodology and data science skills, including quantitative forecasting/modelling of AI progress; statistical analysis; building dashboards and data visualization.Proven track record of excellent writing skills, with ability to communicate complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders and to synthesize scientific results into compelling narratives.Affinity for scrappy and highly iterative work with fast feedback loops.Have a sense of mission, urgency, and responsibility for success, with problem-solving abilities and readiness to acquire any missing knowledge necessary to get the job done; motivated to conduct technical research with direct policy impact.Ability to work autonomously and in a self-directed way with high agency, thriving in a constantly changing environment and a steadily growing team.Bring your own voice and experience while being eager to support colleagues and contribute to the team’s success.Salary and Benefits

We hire individuals at all levels of seniority within this research unit; your dedicated talent partner will explain our internal assessment process. The full range of salaries includes base salary, technical allowance, plus additional benefits as detailed on this page.Level 3 — Total Package £65,000–£75,000 (base £35,720; technical talent allowance £29,280–£39,280).Level 4 — Total Package £85,000–£95,000 (base £42,495; allowance £42,505–£52,505).Level 5 — Total Package £105,000–£115,000 (base £55,805; allowance £49,195–£59,195).Level 6 — Total Package £125,000–£135,000 (base £68,770; allowance £56,230–£66,230).Level 7 — Total Package £145,000 (base £68,770; allowance £76,230).Note: This role sits outside the DDaT pay framework due to the depth of technical AI safety responsibilities.Pension options are available as described on the Civil Service site.Selection Process

In accordance with Civil Service Commission rules, the following criteria apply for the interview process. This post requires Security Clearance (SC), with at least 2 years of UK residency and the possibility of Developed Vetting (DV). See GOV.UK for clearance levels.Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit on merit and on open competition, and we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We offer Disability Confident Scheme and Redeployment interviews to eligible civil servants.Nationality requirements

We may offer roles to applicants from any nationality or background. You are encouraged to apply even if you do not meet the standard nationality requirements.Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attracting, retaining and investing in talent wherever it is found. See the Civil Service People Plan and Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for more information.Seniority level

Mid-Senior levelEmployment type

Full-timeJob function

OtherIndustries

Government Administration

#J-18808-Ljbffr