Application Guide

How to Apply for Expression of Interest

at Center for Reducing Suffering (CRS)

🏢 About Center for Reducing Suffering (CRS)

The Center for Reducing Suffering (CRS) is a unique organization focused exclusively on reducing suffering as the primary moral priority, operating within the effective altruism framework but with a specific suffering-focused ethics lens. Unlike many EA organizations, CRS prioritizes s-risks (suffering risks) and explores open-ended research questions about how to most effectively reduce suffering across all sentient beings. Working here offers the opportunity to shape foundational priorities for the entire suffering reduction community while engaging with intellectually rigorous, mission-driven research.

About This Role

This Expression of Interest role involves conducting open-ended research to determine the most effective ways to reduce suffering, exploring fundamental questions about suffering reduction priorities, and influencing the broader effective altruism community's focus on suffering. The role is highly impactful because it directly shapes global priorities for suffering reducers and addresses some of the most neglected yet crucial questions in ethics and impact assessment.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day involves deep reading of philosophy and ethics literature related to suffering, analyzing potential s-risk scenarios, writing research memos exploring unanswered questions in suffering reduction, and engaging with the broader suffering-focused ethics community online. Much of the work is self-structured, involving both individual contemplation of fundamental questions and collaborative discussion of research priorities with other suffering-focused researchers.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Center for Reducing Suffering (CRS) Is Looking For

  • Deeply motivated by maximizing altruistic impact with specific focus on suffering reduction, not just general do-gooding
  • Intellectually curious about foundational questions in suffering-focused ethics and s-risk mitigation strategies
  • Exceptionally self-directed with proven ability to structure open-ended research questions without close supervision
  • Already familiar with core EA concepts but specifically knowledgeable about suffering-focused ethics literature and s-risk frameworks

📝 Tips for Applying to Center for Reducing Suffering (CRS)

1

Demonstrate specific knowledge of suffering-focused ethics literature (e.g., works by Brian Tomasik, Magnus Vinding, or the Center on Long-Term Risk)

2

Show examples of previous self-directed research projects, especially those exploring open-ended ethical or strategic questions

3

Articulate your personal motivation for focusing specifically on suffering reduction rather than general welfare improvement

4

Reference specific s-risks or suffering reduction strategies you find most pressing and why

5

Explain how you would approach structuring open-ended research on suffering reduction priorities

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your personal philosophical alignment with suffering-focused ethics and why reducing suffering is your primary moral priority', "Specific examples of how you've engaged with s-risk literature or suffering-focused ethics in your previous work or study", 'How you approach open-ended research questions and structure ambiguous problems without clear answers', 'Your vision for what the most important unanswered questions in suffering reduction might be']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → CRS's published research and blog posts to understand their specific approach to suffering reduction
  • → Key literature in suffering-focused ethics (e.g., 'The Suffering-Focused Ethics' by Magnus Vinding)
  • → Current debates within EA about s-risks and suffering-focused approaches
  • → How CRS differs from other EA organizations in its philosophical foundations and priorities

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you prioritize between different s-risk mitigation strategies?
2 What methodological approaches would you use for open-ended research on suffering reduction?
3 How do you stay motivated and productive when working on long-term, ambiguous research questions?
4 What specific suffering reduction interventions do you think are currently most neglected?
5 How would you approach influencing the broader EA community to prioritize suffering reduction more heavily?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Treating this as just another EA research role without emphasizing the specific suffering-focused ethics angle
  • Focusing on general do-gooding rather than demonstrating specific interest in suffering reduction as the primary moral priority
  • Showing preference for structured, well-defined research problems over open-ended exploration of fundamental questions

📅 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 Center for Reducing Suffering (CRS)!

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