Application Guide
How to Apply for Education Platform Lead
at Iliad
🏢 About Iliad
Iliad is a unique umbrella organization that advances applied mathematics research in AI alignment through a combination of conferences, research incubation, and fellowship programs. Unlike many AI safety orgs, Iliad emphasizes deep mathematical maturity and runs intensive in-person cohorts, making it a hub for technically rigorous alignment work. Working here means shaping the infrastructure that trains the next generation of alignment researchers.
About This Role
As Education Platform Lead, you will own the development of an online platform that hosts AI alignment course materials, enabling global access and enhancing Iliad's monthly in-person teaching. You'll build features like self-study modules, progress tracking, and a CMS, while collaborating with rotating content creators and teachers. You'll also write and teach your own course materials, directly influencing how alignment concepts are taught at scale.
💡 A Day in the Life
Your day might start with a stand-up with the platform development team, followed by coding new features for progress tracking or the CMS. Later, you might meet with a rotating content creator to review a new course module, ensuring it aligns with pedagogical goals and integrates smoothly with the platform. In the afternoon, you could work on your own course materials, preparing a lesson on agent foundations for the next in-person cohort, and test it with a small group of fellows.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Iliad Is Looking For
- Holds a degree in mathematics, physics, or theoretical computer science, with strong mathematical maturity to engage deeply with AI alignment topics at the level of Iliad's Intensive course.
- Has full-stack web development skills and experience building educational platforms, including design systems, progress tracking, and content management.
- Possesses a strong pedagogical sense and design intuition, able to translate complex mathematical concepts into accessible, engaging online learning experiences.
- Is familiar with AI alignment literature and can write and teach original course materials, while collaborating effectively with rotating instructors and content creators.
📝 Tips for Applying to Iliad
Highlight any experience you have building educational technology or platforms, especially those involving self-study features, progress tracking, or CMS integration—Iliad needs someone who can own the entire platform.
Demonstrate your mathematical maturity by referencing specific AI alignment topics you could teach, such as decision theory, agent foundations, or embedded agency, and how you would structure a course around them.
Showcase your design and pedagogy sense by including a portfolio or examples of course materials, tutorials, or platform features you've designed that improved learning outcomes.
Mention any familiarity with Iliad's existing programs (Intensive, conferences, fellowships) and how you envision integrating the online platform with in-person cohorts to create a blended learning experience.
Emphasize your ability to collaborate with rotating content creators—provide examples of how you've worked with subject matter experts to produce high-quality educational content under deadlines.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your technical vision for the platform: how you would design a unified, scalable system that supports both self-study and in-person teaching, with features like progress tracking and content management.', 'Your mathematical and alignment background: specific courses or topics you could teach, and how your understanding of AI alignment at Iliad Intensive level informs your platform design.', 'Your pedagogical approach: how you ensure content is accessible, engaging, and effective for a global audience, and how you measure learning outcomes.', "Your collaborative experience: how you've worked with rotating instructors or content creators to maintain quality and consistency, and how you'd integrate feedback loops between online and in-person components."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore Iliad's website, especially their Intensive program, conferences, and fellowship pages, to understand their pedagogical style and the level of mathematical depth expected.
- → Read some of Iliad's published research or blog posts to familiarize yourself with their specific approach to AI alignment and applied mathematics.
- → Look into the backgrounds of Iliad's team and affiliated researchers to understand their values and technical focus areas.
- → Investigate existing AI alignment course materials (e.g., from MIRI, CHAI, or other orgs) to see what's already available and how Iliad's platform might differentiate itself.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying with only general web development experience and no demonstrated interest or knowledge in AI alignment—this role requires deep domain understanding.
- Focusing solely on technical implementation without addressing pedagogy, design, or the integration with in-person teaching, which are core to the role.
- Neglecting to show mathematical maturity or the ability to teach—candidates who can't engage with the material at Iliad Intensive level will struggle.
📅 Application Timeline
⏰ Deadline: September 20, 2026
We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!