Application Guide

How to Apply for Expression of Interest, Analyst / Senior Analyst, Al Strategy Team (x2)

at Rethink Priorities

🏢 About Rethink Priorities

Rethink Priorities is a unique nonprofit research organization focused on effective altruism, specifically identifying the highest-impact opportunities to do good globally. Unlike traditional think tanks, they apply rigorous cost-effectiveness analysis to prioritize interventions across cause areas like AI safety, animal welfare, and global health. Working here offers the chance to contribute directly to evidence-based philanthropy and policy decisions with potentially massive positive impact.

About This Role

This role involves joining a new AI Strategy Team to identify strategic gaps in AI safety, conduct rapid analysis for decision-makers, and help incubate high-leverage projects aimed at reducing existential risks from AI. You'll help shape early research and policy outputs to guide philanthropists, researchers, and policymakers toward the most impactful interventions. This position is particularly impactful because it focuses on proactive strategy development rather than just reactive analysis, potentially influencing how billions in philanthropic funding are allocated to AI safety.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve synthesizing recent AI policy developments into a brief for philanthropists, mapping connections between different AI safety organizations to identify collaboration gaps, and participating in team discussions about which nascent projects to incubate. You'd likely spend significant time conducting rapid analysis on emerging AI governance issues and preparing strategic recommendations for decision-makers in the effective altruism community.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for Rethink Priorities

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Rethink Priorities Is Looking For

  • Has strong analytical skills with experience in ecosystem mapping, governance analysis, or intervention prioritization, particularly in AI/tech policy or effective altruism contexts
  • Demonstrates ability to conduct rapid, high-quality research under uncertainty and communicate findings clearly to diverse stakeholders including philanthropists and policymakers
  • Shows genuine alignment with effective altruism principles and specific interest in reducing existential risks from advanced AI systems
  • Possesses entrepreneurial mindset to help incubate new projects and identify strategic gaps in a nascent field

📝 Tips for Applying to Rethink Priorities

1

Demonstrate specific knowledge of Rethink Priorities' existing AI safety work by referencing their published research or blog posts in your application

2

Include concrete examples of rapid analysis you've conducted on complex topics, emphasizing how you identified key insights for decision-makers

3

Show your understanding of the AI safety ecosystem by mentioning specific organizations, researchers, or gaps you've identified in the field

4

Highlight any experience with effective altruism frameworks or cost-effectiveness analysis, even if from different cause areas

5

Emphasize your ability to work independently in a remote, globally distributed team environment

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific interest in AI strategy work and how it differs from pure research or technical AI safety roles', 'Examples of identifying strategic gaps or conducting rapid analysis that informed real decisions or resource allocation', "Alignment with effective altruism principles and why you're drawn to Rethink Priorities' specific approach to impact", 'How your background prepares you to help incubate high-leverage projects in a nascent field like AI strategy']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read Rethink Priorities' AI safety publications on their website, particularly their ecosystem mapping and intervention analyses
  • → Understand their research methodology and how they apply cost-effectiveness analysis across different cause areas
  • → Review their team members' backgrounds to understand the interdisciplinary nature of their work
  • → Study the effective altruism community's current thinking on AI safety priorities and strategic gaps
Visit Rethink Priorities's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you map the current AI safety ecosystem and identify the most critical strategic gaps?
2 Describe a time you had to conduct rapid analysis on a complex topic with limited information - what was your process and outcome?
3 What specific interventions do you think are currently underfunded or overlooked in AI safety, and why?
4 How would you prioritize between different AI safety projects with varying levels of uncertainty and potential impact?
5 How do you stay updated on developments in AI governance and policy, and what recent trends concern you most?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on technical AI safety without demonstrating understanding of strategy, governance, or philanthropic decision-making
  • Applying with generic interest in 'AI ethics' without showing specific knowledge of existential risk reduction and effective altruism frameworks
  • Failing to demonstrate ability to work in a remote, self-directed environment common in effective altruism organizations

📅 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 Rethink Priorities!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →