Application Guide
How to Apply for Deputy Director Research Unit (Artificial Intelligence)
at AI Security Institute (AISI)
🏢 About AI Security Institute (AISI)
The AI Security Institute (AISI) is a leading organization dedicated to advancing AI safety and governance, operating remotely to attract global talent. Its unique focus on bridging technical AI research with practical security and policy implications makes it a pivotal player in shaping responsible AI development. Working at AISI offers the opportunity to contribute to mission-driven research that addresses critical global challenges in AI security.
About This Role
As Deputy Director of the Research Unit (AI), you will lead and manage a team focused on AI security research, developing strategies to advance AI safety and governance. This role involves overseeing high-impact projects, ensuring rigorous outputs, and collaborating with stakeholders to drive the institute's mission forward. It's impactful because it directly influences the development of secure and ethical AI systems at a time when global AI governance is rapidly evolving.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with a virtual team meeting to review research progress on AI security projects, followed by analyzing data or models for vulnerabilities. You could spend the afternoon collaborating with external partners on governance frameworks or drafting strategy documents, then wrap up by mentoring junior researchers and planning upcoming initiatives. The role balances hands-on technical oversight with high-level strategic planning in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who AI Security Institute (AISI) Is Looking For
- Has 5+ years of hands-on experience in AI research, with a focus on safety, security, or governance topics (e.g., adversarial attacks, robustness, or policy frameworks).
- Demonstrates proven leadership in managing research teams, including experience with project oversight, mentorship, and cross-functional collaboration in remote settings.
- Possesses strong technical expertise in AI/ML concepts (e.g., model interpretability, federated learning, or secure multi-party computation) and can translate research into actionable insights.
- Excels at stakeholder engagement, with a track record of communicating complex AI topics to diverse audiences, including policymakers, industry partners, and academic peers.
📝 Tips for Applying to AI Security Institute (AISI)
Tailor your resume to highlight specific AI security projects you've led or contributed to, emphasizing outcomes like published papers, policy recommendations, or implemented safeguards.
In your application, explicitly mention AISI's mission and how your research aligns with their focus on AI safety and governance, citing any relevant work on topics like bias mitigation or adversarial robustness.
Showcase remote leadership experience by detailing how you've managed distributed research teams, coordinated virtual collaborations, or used tools like Slack or GitHub for project oversight.
Include concrete examples of stakeholder engagement, such as partnerships with government agencies, industry consortia, or academic institutions focused on AI ethics or security.
If applicable, link to a portfolio of research outputs (e.g., GitHub repositories, preprints, or whitepapers) that demonstrate your technical depth in AI/ML and relevance to AISI's goals.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Explain your passion for AI security and governance, tying it to AISI's mission and how your research background addresses current challenges in the field.", 'Highlight leadership achievements, such as managing research teams, securing funding, or driving projects from conception to publication or implementation.', "Discuss your ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders, providing examples of how you've worked with policymakers, industry, or academia to advance AI safety initiatives.", "Emphasize your technical proficiency in AI/ML, noting specific methodologies or tools you've used in security-focused research (e.g., threat modeling or risk assessment frameworks)."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review AISI's published research, whitepapers, or blog posts to understand their current focus areas in AI security and governance.
- → Investigate the institute's key stakeholders and partnerships, such as collaborations with government agencies, academic institutions, or industry groups in the AI ethics space.
- → Explore recent news or public statements from AISI leadership to gauge their priorities and how this role might contribute to upcoming initiatives.
- → Familiarize yourself with the broader AI security landscape, including trends in policy (e.g., EU AI Act) and technical challenges (e.g., adversarial machine learning), to contextualize AISI's work.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic application that doesn't reference AISI's mission or specific AI security topics, making it seem like a mass application.
- Overemphasizing theoretical AI research without demonstrating practical experience in safety, governance, or stakeholder engagement relevant to this role.
- Failing to provide examples of leadership in remote or distributed research settings, which is critical for a full-time remote position at AISI.
📅 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:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to AI Security Institute (AISI)!