Application Guide
How to Apply for Futures Team Member
at Futureof Life
🏢 About Futureof Life
Future of Life Institute (FLI) is a leading nonprofit working to steer the development of transformative technologies towards benefiting life and away from large-scale risks. They are uniquely focused on pro-human AI, emphasizing safety and ethics, and operate at the intersection of technology, policy, and public engagement.
About This Role
As a Futures Team Member, you will drive FLI's pro-human AI agenda by building coalitions, managing programs, and coordinating stakeholders across diverse sectors. This role is impactful because you'll directly shape how AI is developed and governed, ensuring it aligns with human welfare.
💡 A Day in the Life
Your day might start with a check-in call with a coalition partner to align on messaging for an upcoming workshop. You'll then update project trackers, review grant proposals, and draft a brief for the communications team. Afternoon could involve researching new stakeholders for an AI safety initiative or planning logistics for a virtual convening.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Futureof Life Is Looking For
- Proven experience in coalition building or stakeholder engagement, ideally in tech policy or AI ethics.
- Strong project management skills with ability to track multiple workstreams and deliverables.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build trust with diverse stakeholders (e.g., researchers, policymakers, industry).
- Passion for AI safety and pro-human outcomes, with understanding of current AI landscape.
📝 Tips for Applying to Futureof Life
Tailor your resume to highlight specific coalition or partnership examples, quantifying impact where possible.
In your cover letter, explicitly connect your experience to FLI's mission and mention any familiarity with their published work.
Research FLI's current campaigns (e.g., AI arms race, grantmaking) and reference them in your application.
Demonstrate your ability to manage complex initiatives by describing a project where you coordinated multiple teams.
Use your application to show you can translate technical AI concepts into accessible language for broad audiences.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your alignment with FLI's pro-human AI mission and understanding of AI risks.", 'Specific examples of building trust and coalitions across diverse groups.', 'Your project management skills with tangible outcomes.', 'Why remote work in US suits you and how you stay productive.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read FLI's recent blog posts and publications on AI alignment and governance.
- → Review their grantmaking portfolio and past convenings (e.g., Beneficial AGI conferences).
- → Understand key debates in AI safety (e.g., alignment, regulation, existential risk).
- → Familiarize yourself with FLI's team structure and key leaders.
💬 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 pro-human AI specifically.
- Focusing only on technical AI skills without demonstrating stakeholder engagement abilities.
- Ignoring the remote-first culture – show you can work independently and communicate asynchronously.
📅 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!