Application Guide

How to Apply for Co-Lead Author, Open Problems in Technical AI Governance

at Apart Research

🏢 About Apart Research

Apart Research is a decentralised AI safety organization that builds a global community of researchers to tackle technical AI safety challenges. It uniquely combines open science, community-driven collaboration, and a focus on high-impact governance problems. Working here means contributing to cutting-edge AI governance while being part of a distributed, mission-driven team.

About This Role

As Co-Lead Author, you will drive the update of the seminal 'Open Problems in Technical AI Governance' paper, synthesizing contributions from 30-40 domain experts into a coherent manuscript. This role is pivotal in shaping the AI governance research agenda and ensuring the paper remains a key resource for policymakers and researchers. Your work will directly influence how the field prioritizes and addresses critical governance challenges.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might start by reviewing literature updates on AI governance, then interviewing a domain expert to capture their insights on a specific problem area. Afternoon would involve synthesizing notes from multiple contributors into a coherent draft, followed by coordinating with the other co-lead on timeline and next steps. You'd end the day by responding to feedback from contributors and updating the project management board.

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🎯 Who Apart Research Is Looking For

  • A researcher with deep expertise in AI governance or technical AI safety, evidenced by publications or active involvement in relevant communities (e.g., AI alignment, policy analysis).
  • Experienced in managing large collaborative writing projects, including coordinating multiple contributors, setting deadlines, and maintaining a consistent voice.
  • Exceptional synthesis and writing skills, able to distill complex technical and policy literature into clear, accessible prose.
  • Proactive and organized, comfortable conducting literature surveys and interviewing experts to identify key developments.

📝 Tips for Applying to Apart Research

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific experience with large-scale collaborative writing projects (e.g., co-authoring a report, managing a multi-author paper).

2

In your cover letter, reference the current version of the 'Open Problems in Technical AI Governance' paper and suggest one concrete improvement or update you would prioritize.

3

Demonstrate familiarity with the Apart Research community by mentioning any prior engagement with their events, publications, or research forums.

4

Provide a writing sample that showcases your ability to synthesize diverse inputs into a unified narrative (e.g., a literature review or policy brief).

5

Explain your approach to managing contributor feedback and resolving conflicting viewpoints, as this is central to the role.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your vision for updating the paper: which problem areas need the most attention and how you would ensure comprehensive coverage.', 'Your experience coordinating multiple experts: specific examples of managing timelines, integrating feedback, and maintaining quality.', "Your understanding of the AI governance landscape: mention key recent developments and how they affect the paper's relevance.", "Your alignment with Apart Research's decentralized, community-driven model and your ability to work independently."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read the current version of 'Open Problems in Technical AI Governance' thoroughly, noting its structure, key arguments, and areas for improvement.
  • → Explore Apart Research's website, blog, and past publications to understand their research focus and community culture.
  • → Familiarize yourself with recent technical AI governance literature (e.g., from journals like AI & Society, or conferences like NeurIPS workshops) to identify updates.
  • → Review the profiles of key contributors to the original paper to understand the network you would be coordinating.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through how you would structure the update process, from literature survey to final manuscript.
2 How would you handle disagreements among domain experts about the importance or framing of a problem area?
3 Describe a time you synthesized conflicting inputs from multiple authors into a cohesive document. What challenges did you face?
4 What are the most significant developments in technical AI governance since the last version of the paper?
5 How would you ensure the paper remains accessible to both technical and policy audiences?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application that doesn't reference the specific paper or show understanding of AI governance.
  • Overemphasizing technical AI safety without governance expertise, or vice versa—this role requires both.
  • Failing to demonstrate experience with large, distributed teams or collaborative writing tools (e.g., Overleaf, Notion).

📅 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 Apart Research!

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