How to apply for Communications and Outreach, AI Safety

About Cedar Research

Cedar Research investigates and demonstrates risks from advanced AI systems. The organization focuses on research that shows how advanced AI could cause harm. This role is for someone who wants to communicate that research to a wider audience.

About the role

You will write public-facing content, produce videos, and manage social media for Cedar Research. You will also partner with creators to increase the reach of the research. Part of the role includes appearing publicly under your own name to build credibility. You may also support human studies administration for the research team.

A typical day

A typical day might involve writing a blog post about a new research finding, editing a video for social media, and coordinating with a creator for a collaboration. You might also spend time responding to comments and messages, and attending a team meeting to discuss outreach strategy. Occasionally, you may assist with administrative tasks for a human study.

Who Cedar Research is looking for

• Native-level English with strong writing and video production skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to AI safety through past work, projects, or public writing.
• Experience managing social media platforms and working with content creators.
• Background in AI policy or existing platform experience is preferred.

Tips for this application

• Include links to public-facing work you have produced, such as videos, blog posts, or social media campaigns, especially those related to AI safety or technology.
• Show that you understand Cedar Research's specific research areas by referencing their published work in your application.
• Explain how you would use your own name and public presence to communicate AI safety research, as this is a key part of the role.
• If you have experience with human studies administration, mention it, even if it is not your main focus.
• Avoid generic statements about passion for AI safety; instead, describe concrete actions you have taken to advance the field.

What to cover in your cover letter

In your cover letter, focus on: 1) Your ability to translate complex AI safety research into accessible content for different audiences. 2) Your experience with social media management and video production, with examples. 3) Your willingness to appear publicly under your own name and build a following. 4) Any experience with AI policy or platform governance that is relevant to the role.

Research before applying

• Read Cedar Research's recent publications and blog posts to understand their research focus and tone.
• Check their social media accounts to see what content they currently produce and how it performs.
• Look into the backgrounds of the team members, especially those in communications or research, to understand their expertise.
• Find out if Cedar Research has any partnerships with creators or platforms, and how they approach outreach.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you explain a recent Cedar Research paper to a general audience?
• Describe a social media campaign you managed and its results.
• How do you handle public criticism or negative feedback when appearing under your own name?
• What is your experience with human studies administration, such as participant recruitment or data management?
• Which AI safety researchers or organizations do you follow, and why?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic application that does not mention AI safety or Cedar Research's specific work.
• Focusing only on general communications skills without showing how you would apply them to AI safety research.
• Being unwilling to appear publicly under your own name or lacking examples of public-facing work.