How to apply for Applied AI Data Scientist

About AE Studio

AE Studio is a software company that provides product design, software development, machine learning, and data science services. It also builds internal ventures and runs AI alignment research. The company says its work aims to increase agency for all conscious beings.

About the role

This data scientist role mixes client projects with internal research. You will build data-driven solutions, work with machine learning models, and handle the full LLM lifecycle, including prompt design, RAG, vector databases, multimodality, and fine-tuning. You can also propose high-impact research projects, and promising ones may become prioritized skunkworks initiatives.

A typical day

A typical day may include building or fine-tuning models for a client project, designing prompts or RAG pipelines, and meeting with collaborators. You may also spend time on an internal research initiative or drafting a proposal for a new skunkworks project. Ask the hiring team how they split time between client work and internal research.

Who AE Studio is looking for

• Has fluent Python skills for data science and machine learning work.
• Has hands-on experience with the LLM lifecycle: prompt design, prompting techniques such as RAG, few-shot, and CoT, vector databases, multimodality, and fine-tuning.
• Can work independently on client problems and internal research, and also collaborate with a team.
• Is adaptable and brings creativity and humor to problem-solving.

Tips for this application

• Show concrete LLM lifecycle work in your application. Name the techniques you used, such as RAG, few-shot, CoT, vector databases, multimodality, or fine-tuning.
• Include Python code samples, GitHub links, or project write-ups that show how you built data-driven solutions or machine learning models.
• Mention any research projects you proposed or pursued, especially ones related to agency, AI alignment, or skunkworks-style initiatives.
• Explain how you have handled both client projects and internal research, since this role mixes both.
• Read AE Studio's AI alignment research before applying. Refer to specific work or themes from ae.studio in your materials.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your experience with the full LLM lifecycle, with specific examples of prompt design, RAG, few-shot, CoT, vector databases, multimodality, or fine-tuning.', 'Your fluency in Python and how you use it for data science and machine learning.', "A research project you proposed or pursued that could fit AE Studio's mission of increasing agency.", 'How you balance independent work with collaboration on client projects and internal initiatives.']

Research before applying

• Read AE Studio's website, especially its product design, software development, machine learning, and data science services.
• Look into AE Studio's AI alignment research and any public writing on increasing agency for conscious beings.
• Find examples of AE Studio's internal ventures or skunkworks projects, if published.
• Check AE Studio's client work or case studies to understand the types of projects you might support.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Walk through an LLM project you built. Which prompting techniques did you use, and why?
• How have you used vector databases in a production or research setting?
• Describe a time you proposed a research project. What was the impact, and how did you get it prioritized?
• How do you approach a client problem where the data is messy and the requirements are unclear?
• What interests you about AE Studio's AI alignment research and its mission to increase agency for all conscious beings?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Listing LLM tools without explaining how you used them in the LLM lifecycle, such as prompt design, RAG, or fine-tuning.
• Applying without reading AE Studio's AI alignment research or understanding its mission to increase agency.
• Focusing only on client work and ignoring the internal research and skunkworks part of the role.