Application Guide

How to Apply for AI Resilience Partner

at Convergent Research

🏢 About Convergent Research

Convergent Research is a unique nonprofit that fills a critical gap in the R&D ecosystem by launching large-scale, high-impact science projects that are too ambitious for academia and too long-term for industry. Working here means you'll be at the forefront of creating new institutions (FROs) dedicated to solving pressing global challenges, with a focus on AI resilience and defensive capabilities.

About This Role

As the AI Resilience Partner, you will be the architect of a new portfolio of Focused Research Organizations (FROs) and scientific projects aimed at strengthening AI safety and resilience. You'll identify critical bottlenecks, source and diligence project ideas, build founding teams, and guide them from conception to impact, making this role pivotal in shaping the future of AI defense.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might start with a call with a potential founding team member for a new AI resilience FRO, followed by a deep dive into a technical paper to assess its potential. Afternoon could involve meeting with philanthropic partners to discuss funding for your portfolio, and you might end the day by drafting a roadmap for a new initiative or advising a founder on their technical strategy.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for Convergent Research

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Convergent Research Is Looking For

  • You have a deep technical background in AI/ML, with a proven track record of leading or managing research projects from ideation to deployment.
  • You possess a strategic mindset, able to roadmap complex landscapes and identify high-leverage opportunities for investment.
  • You are an exceptional networker and team builder, with experience recruiting top scientific talent and fostering collaborative environments.
  • You have experience in fundraising, particularly with philanthropic or public funding sources, and are comfortable serving in board or advisory roles.

📝 Tips for Applying to Convergent Research

1

Highlight any experience you have with creating or scaling research initiatives, especially those with a focus on AI safety, robust AI, or defensive technologies.

2

Demonstrate your ability to think big picture by providing examples of how you've identified and filled gaps in the AI ecosystem.

3

Showcase your network in the AI research community and your ability to mobilize experts around a shared vision.

4

Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your entrepreneurial spirit and comfort with ambiguity, as this role involves building from scratch.

5

Familiarize yourself with Convergent Research's existing FROs and articulate how your skills can directly contribute to their mission of accelerating science.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Explain why you are passionate about AI resilience specifically, and how your background aligns with the mission of Convergent Research.', 'Describe a time when you took a scientific idea from concept to reality, including how you overcame challenges in team building and funding.', "Detail your experience with strategic planning and how you've successfully identified 'keystone capabilities' or bottlenecks in a technical field.", 'Mention your familiarity with the nonprofit or research funding landscape and how you can leverage philanthropic networks to support FROs.']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Study Convergent Research's existing FROs (e.g., those in biology, climate) to understand their structure and success factors.
  • → Read about the 'Focus Research Organizations' model and the gap they fill in the R&D landscape.
  • → Explore the current AI safety and resilience landscape, including key players like Anthropic, OpenAI, and academic labs, to understand where gaps remain.
  • → Look into philanthropic funding trends for AI safety, such as initiatives by Open Philanthropy or the Long-Term Future Fund, to align your strategy.
Visit Convergent Research's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach mapping the AI resilience landscape and identifying the most critical bottlenecks?
2 Describe a project you initiated or led. How did you source the idea, build the team, and secure funding?
3 What is your experience with board governance or advising founders in a technical field?
4 How do you balance technical depth with strategic breadth when evaluating new project ideas?
5 What do you know about Convergent Research's model of Focused Research Organizations, and how would you apply it to AI resilience?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Avoid focusing solely on your technical AI expertise without demonstrating entrepreneurial or team-building skills, as this role is about creating and scaling projects.
  • Don't submit a generic cover letter that doesn't reference Convergent Research's specific mission or the AI resilience focus.
  • Steer clear of overemphasizing profit-driven motives; this is a nonprofit environment where scientific impact is the primary goal.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Convergent Research!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →