Application Guide
How to Apply for Head of Labs
at Kairos
🏢 About Kairos
Kairos is a unique AI safety fieldbuilding organization that focuses on addressing talent gaps within the AI safety field. Working here means contributing to the strategic development of the field, not just technical research, and having a direct impact on how new organizations are formed and supported.
About This Role
As Head of Labs, you will design, launch, and lead Kairos Labs, an incubator for AI safety founders. This role is pivotal in shaping the future of AI safety by identifying and supporting the next generation of organizations, making it a high-impact opportunity for someone with entrepreneurial and program-building experience.
💡 A Day in the Life
Your day might start with a call with an incubated founder discussing their fundraising strategy, followed by reviewing applications for the next cohort. You might spend the afternoon refining the program's curriculum, meeting with potential partners, or writing a blog post to attract applicants. Evenings could be dedicated to reading AI safety research to stay informed.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Kairos Is Looking For
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📝 Tips for Applying to Kairos
Tailor your resume to highlight any experience designing or leading programs, especially those focused on entrepreneurship or field building.
In your cover letter, explicitly connect your past achievements to the goals of Kairos Labs, showing how you would approach the role.
Research Kairos's existing initiatives and the broader AI safety field to demonstrate your understanding of the ecosystem.
Reach out to current or former Kairos team members on LinkedIn to learn more about the culture and role specifics.
Be prepared to discuss your vision for the incubator, including how you would attract and select founders.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
- Emphasize your experience in program design and leadership, with concrete examples of building something from scratch. - Show your passion for AI safety and your understanding of the field's talent gaps. - Highlight your ability to advise and mentor early-stage founders, including your network in the startup or nonprofit world. - Express your strategic vision for how Kairos Labs can evolve and scale, aligning with Kairos's mission.
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore Kairos's website and read their blog posts or annual reports to understand their current focus and achievements.
- → Look into other AI safety incubators or fieldbuilding initiatives (e.g., Long-Term Future Fund, Open Philanthropy) to understand the landscape.
- → Familiarize yourself with key AI safety organizations and their founders, as you'll be working with similar profiles.
- → Check out interviews or talks by Kairos's leadership to grasp their philosophy and approach.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't submit a generic application that doesn't reference Kairos or AI safety specifically.
- Avoid focusing only on your entrepreneurial experience without connecting it to the nonprofit or fieldbuilding context.
- Don't underestimate the importance of the program's strategic direction; avoid vague answers about how you would lead.
📅 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!