Application Guide

How to Apply for Expressions of Interest, Policy and Engineering

at AI Verification and Evaluation Research Institute

🏢 About AI Verification and Evaluation Research Institute

AVERI is a unique nonprofit pioneering third-party AI safety auditing for frontier AI systems, aiming to create an entirely new profession in AI verification. Unlike typical tech companies, AVERI focuses on rigorous, independent evaluation of powerful AI systems to ensure safety and security, offering the chance to shape a critical field from the ground up. Working here means contributing directly to global AI governance while being part of a globally distributed, remote-first organization with competitive nonprofit compensation.

About This Role

This role involves charting the course for frontier AI auditing by developing policy frameworks or engineering verification methods for cutting-edge AI systems. You'll contribute to creating the standards and practices for a new profession dedicated to understanding and verifying AI safety and security. The impact lies in establishing the foundational approaches that could determine how powerful AI systems are evaluated globally.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve collaborating with global team members to develop auditing methodologies for specific AI capabilities, analyzing recent AI developments to identify verification challenges, and contributing to policy frameworks that balance technical feasibility with regulatory needs. You'll likely engage in research discussions, draft documentation for auditing approaches, and participate in meetings with stakeholders interested in establishing AI auditing standards.

🎯 Who AI Verification and Evaluation Research Institute Is Looking For

  • Has demonstrated real-world impact in AI policy (e.g., contributed to AI governance frameworks, regulatory proposals, or industry standards) or AI engineering (e.g., built safety evaluation tools, red-teaming systems, or verification methodologies)
  • Possesses an entrepreneurial mindset with experience fostering new initiatives, professions, or organizations in technical or policy domains
  • Can bridge technical and policy considerations, understanding both the engineering challenges of AI verification and the policy implications of auditing frameworks
  • Has a background in relevant fields such as AI safety research, technical AI auditing, AI policy development, or regulatory compliance for complex systems

📝 Tips for Applying to AI Verification and Evaluation Research Institute

1

Highlight specific examples of how you've fostered new initiatives or professions in your past work, as AVERI explicitly values an entrepreneurial mindset for creating this new field

2

Demonstrate your understanding of frontier AI systems by referencing specific models, capabilities, or safety concerns that would require novel auditing approaches

3

Explain how your background enables you to contribute to both policy and engineering aspects, even if applying for a specialized role, as they mention considering hybrid candidates

4

Research and reference AVERI's specific focus areas or publications to show you understand their unique nonprofit mission beyond generic AI safety work

5

Quantify your past impact with concrete metrics or outcomes, as they emphasize candidates with demonstrated real-world impact

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience with AI verification, evaluation, or auditing methodologies, whether technical or policy-oriented', "Examples of how you've contributed to creating new frameworks, standards, or professions in past roles", 'Your understanding of the challenges in auditing frontier AI systems and initial thoughts on approaches to address them', 'Why the nonprofit mission of establishing independent third-party auditing resonates with your career goals and values']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • AVERI's published research, position papers, or blog posts to understand their specific approach to AI verification
  • The current landscape of frontier AI systems and their safety concerns that would require auditing
  • Existing AI auditing frameworks and standards to identify gaps AVERI might be addressing
  • The backgrounds of AVERI's leadership team to understand their expertise and priorities
Visit AI Verification and Evaluation Research Institute's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you design an auditing framework for a frontier AI system with emergent capabilities?
2 What are the biggest challenges in creating a profession of AI auditors, and how would you address them?
3 How do you balance technical verification methods with policy considerations when evaluating AI safety?
4 What specific past project demonstrates your ability to have real-world impact in AI policy or engineering?
5 How would you approach building consensus among stakeholders (companies, regulators, researchers) around auditing standards?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on general AI ethics without addressing the specific technical or policy challenges of verification and evaluation
  • Presenting generic interest in AI safety without demonstrating knowledge of auditing methodologies or frontier AI systems
  • Failing to show how your background enables contribution to both policy and engineering aspects, even if applying for one specialization

📅 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 AI Verification and Evaluation Research Institute!