Application Guide

How to Apply for Head of Supervised Program for Alignment Research

at Kairos

🏢 About Kairos

Kairos is a unique AI safety fieldbuilding organization that directly addresses critical talent gaps in the field. By focusing on building the next generation of AI safety researchers, Kairos plays a pivotal role in mitigating risks from advanced AI. Their flagship program, SPAR, is the largest AI safety research fellowship, making Kairos a hub for ambitious, high-impact work.

About This Role

As Head of SPAR, you will own and scale the world's largest AI safety research fellowship, directly shaping the pipeline of talent entering the field. This role involves strategic decision-making on program expansions, team management, and relationship-building with top researchers, offering immense impact and autonomy.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing SPAR's application pipeline, meeting with research managers to discuss mentee progress, and reaching out to potential new mentors from leading AI labs. You might also strategize with the Kairos team on program expansions, analyze feedback from current participants, and prepare for an upcoming Demo Day.

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🎯 Who Kairos Is Looking For

  • Proven experience in program management or leadership, specifically in AI safety or research fellowships, with a track record of scaling programs.
  • Exceptional relationship-building skills to recruit and retain mentors from leading AI safety organizations like DeepMind, OpenAI, and MIRI.
  • Strategic thinker who can identify and execute ambitious expansions (e.g., mentor stipends, multiple rounds) while improving operational systems.
  • Team management experience, including hiring, onboarding, and scaling a team of research managers to support program growth.

📝 Tips for Applying to Kairos

1

Highlight any direct experience with AI safety fellowships or programs, especially if you've managed or mentored in SPAR or similar initiatives.

2

Quantify your impact in previous roles (e.g., 'Grew fellowship from 100 to 400 mentees' or 'Increased mentor retention by 30%').

3

Showcase your understanding of AI safety fieldbuilding by referencing specific Kairos initiatives or SPAR's history on their website.

4

Mention any connections you have with leading AI safety researchers or organizations, as relationship-building is key.

5

Propose a concrete strategic idea for SPAR's expansion (e.g., adding a new track or improving mentor matching) to demonstrate initiative.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your passion for AI safety and alignment research, and why you want to contribute to fieldbuilding.', 'Specific examples of scaling a program or fellowship, including challenges faced and outcomes.', 'Your ability to build and maintain relationships with high-profile researchers and mentors.', "Your vision for SPAR's future and how you would drive ambitious improvements and expansions."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read Kairos's website and blog posts, especially about SPAR's history, structure, and recent updates.
  • → Review SPAR's current application process, mentor list, and Demo Day projects to understand the program's strengths and areas for improvement.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the broader AI safety ecosystem, including organizations like MIRI, Anthropic, and the EA community.
  • → Look into Kairos's other programs (e.g., MATS) to see how SPAR fits into their overall strategy.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach recruiting and retaining mentors from top AI safety organizations?
2 What strategic expansions would you prioritize for SPAR, and why?
3 Describe a time you scaled a program or team. What were the key challenges and how did you overcome them?
4 How would you improve SPAR's application and matching systems to handle thousands of applicants?
5 How do you stay informed about developments in AI safety, and how would you ensure SPAR remains cutting-edge?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application without referencing AI safety or SPAR specifically.
  • Focusing only on management experience without demonstrating knowledge of AI safety fieldbuilding.
  • Overlooking the relationship-building aspect; don't just list skills, show how you've cultivated partnerships with senior researchers.

📅 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 Kairos!

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