Application Guide

How to Apply for Cybersecurity Engineer

at AI Security Institute (AISI)

🏢 About AI Security Institute (AISI)

The AI Security Institute (AISI) is uniquely positioned as the world's largest and best-funded team focused on advanced AI risks, operating directly within the UK government with access to No. 10. Unlike typical cybersecurity firms, AISI translates research into global policy action, working directly with frontier AI developers and governments worldwide to ensure safe AI deployment. This offers unparalleled influence at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and international security policy.

About This Role

As a Cybersecurity Engineer in the Cyber and Autonomous Systems Team (CAST), you'll research and map evolving AI capabilities to inform critical security decisions that reduce loss-of-control risks from frontier AI. You'll focus specifically on preventing harms from high-impact cybersecurity capabilities and autonomous AI systems, contributing to projects like Replibench - the world's most comprehensive evaluation suite for understanding autonomous replication risks. This role directly impacts how governments and developers worldwide approach AI safety at the frontier of technology.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve collaborating with CAST colleagues to design security evaluations for frontier AI models, writing Python scripts to automate red-team testing scenarios, and analyzing results to inform security recommendations. You'd participate in meetings with government stakeholders and frontier AI developers, contributing technical expertise to discussions about preventing loss-of-control risks from highly capable autonomous systems.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who AI Security Institute (AISI) Is Looking For

  • A cybersecurity professional with hands-on red-teaming experience (penetration testing, CTF design, bug bounties) who can apply those skills to novel AI security challenges
  • A strong Python developer who has built automation scripts or security tooling, ideally with experience testing or evaluating AI systems
  • Someone genuinely passionate about AI safety who understands the unique risks of frontier AI systems, not just traditional cybersecurity
  • A collaborative team player comfortable working with former Meta, Amazon, Palantir, and government colleagues in a hybrid London office environment

📝 Tips for Applying to AI Security Institute (AISI)

1

Specifically mention any experience with AI/ML security testing or red-teaming against AI systems, not just traditional cybersecurity

2

Highlight Python projects where you've automated security testing or built security tooling, with links to GitHub repositories if possible

3

Demonstrate understanding of AISI's unique position - mention their government access, work with frontier developers, or specific projects like Replibench

4

Show how your red-teaming experience could apply to novel AI risks like autonomous replication or loss-of-control scenarios

5

Address the hybrid work requirement by showing London availability while demonstrating remote collaboration skills

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific red-teaming experience and how it applies to AI security challenges (mention penetration testing, CTF design, or bug bounty work)', 'Python automation projects relevant to security testing or tool development', "Your understanding of frontier AI risks and why you're passionate about preventing loss-of-control scenarios", "How your background aligns with CAST's mission to inform critical security decisions through research and evaluation"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → AISI's recent publications and projects, particularly Replibench and their work on autonomous replication risks
  • → The Cyber and Autonomous Systems Team's (CAST) specific focus areas and recent public work
  • → UK government AI policy positions and how AISI interfaces with No. 10 and international governments
  • → Frontier AI developers AISI works with (like Anthropic, OpenAI, DeepMind) and their safety approaches

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Technical walkthrough of a Python security automation script or tool you've developed
2 Scenario-based questions about red-teaming AI systems or evaluating autonomous replication risks
3 Discussion of Replibench or other AI evaluation frameworks and how you'd contribute to them
4 Your understanding of the intersection between cybersecurity and AI safety policy
5 Collaboration experience in high-stakes, multidisciplinary environments like CAST's blend of generalists and technical staff
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on traditional cybersecurity without connecting it to AI safety or frontier AI risks
  • Generic Python experience without specific examples of security automation or tool development
  • Ignoring the policy/government aspect of the role - this isn't just a technical position but involves informing critical security decisions

📅 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!

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Good luck with your application to AI Security Institute (AISI)!

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