Application Guide
How to Apply for Futures Team Member
at Future of Life Institute
🏢 About Future of Life Institute
The Future of Life Institute is a leading nonprofit focused on reducing existential risks from advanced AI, offering a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of technology, policy, and human flourishing. Its remote-first, mission-driven culture attracts top talent passionate about safeguarding humanity's future.
About This Role
As a Futures Team Member, you'll drive multi-stakeholder projects to build coalitions for pro-human AI, coordinating across workstreams, tracking deliverables, and supporting grantmaking and events. Your work directly amplifies FLI's impact on global AI governance and safety.
💡 A Day in the Life
Your day might start with a video call with a partner organization to align on a joint event timeline, followed by updating a project tracker for a grant initiative. Afternoon could involve drafting a briefing for policymakers and coordinating with the communications team on a media launch, ending with a cross-team check-in on deliverables.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Future of Life Institute Is Looking For
- A project manager with 3+ years experience juggling complex, cross-sector initiatives and meeting ambitious deadlines.
- Deeply curious about AI risks, technology policy, and philosophical questions about human-AI coexistence.
- A natural diplomat who builds trusting relationships across political divides and can communicate AI concepts to non-experts.
- Thrives in a fast-paced, remote environment and can proactively identify bottlenecks and drive alignment.
📝 Tips for Applying to Future of Life Institute
Highlight specific examples of managing multi-stakeholder projects with competing priorities and tight timelines.
Demonstrate your intellectual engagement with AI risk by mentioning relevant books, papers, or conferences you've followed.
Show how you've built partnerships with diverse groups (e.g., across political spectrums) in past roles.
Tailor your resume to emphasize 'coalition-building' and 'grantmaking' experience, not just generic PM skills.
Include a brief note in your cover letter about why existential risk from AI motivates you personally.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your genuine passion for reducing AI existential risk and alignment with FLI's mission.", 'Concrete examples of managing complex, cross-functional projects with measurable outcomes.', 'Ability to build trust and communicate AI safety concepts to non-technical stakeholders.', 'Your collaborative mindset and comfort working remotely in a mission-driven nonprofit.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read FLI's recent blog posts and publications on AI governance and existential risk.
- → Familiarize yourself with key FLI initiatives like the Asilomar AI Principles and their grantmaking portfolio.
- → Understand the broader AI safety landscape, including organizations like MIRI, OpenAI, and the Center for AI Safety.
- → Review FLI's annual reports and donor materials to grasp their strategic priorities and funding model.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention FLI or AI risk specifically.
- Overemphasizing technical AI skills (e.g., coding) when the role focuses on project management and coalition-building.
- Failing to demonstrate understanding of nonprofit dynamics or remote work self-discipline.
📅 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 Future of Life Institute!