How to apply for Partner, AI Resilience

About Convergent Research

Convergent Research is a nonprofit science studio that pioneered the Focused Research Organization (FRO) model. It has built over 14 high-impact scientific organizations across AI, biotech, mathematics, and climate science. The FRO model is designed for fundamental research that requires unusual scale and coordination but is not rapidly monetizable by industry.

About the role

As a Partner in AI Resilience, you will create and own a portfolio of FROs and other scientific projects focused on AI resilience. This role is about building missing institutions and technical infrastructure that make the world resilient to advanced AI. You will operate like a senior partner at a venture incubator, defining the portfolio and leading its development.

A typical day

A typical day might involve meeting with potential partners or funders, reviewing proposals for new FROs, and working with existing project teams to overcome bottlenecks. You will spend time strategizing on how to fill gaps in AI resilience and coordinating across multiple initiatives.

Who Convergent Research is looking for

• Experience launching or leading large-scale scientific or technical projects, preferably in AI or related fields.
• Ability to identify and define high-impact research directions that fill structural gaps in the R&D system.
• Track record of building and managing portfolios of projects or organizations.
• Deep understanding of AI risks and the need for defensive capabilities and resilience infrastructure.

Tips for this application

• Highlight any experience you have with the FRO model or similar mission-driven research organizations.
• Show that you understand the gap in AI resilience and can articulate specific projects or institutions that need to be built.
• Provide examples of how you have created or led portfolios of scientific or technical work.
• Explain why you are interested in a nonprofit science studio rather than a startup or academic lab.
• Demonstrate familiarity with Convergent Research's existing FROs and how they might inform your approach.

What to cover in your cover letter

["Your vision for what AI resilience requires and how Convergent Research's model can address it.", 'Specific examples of projects or organizations you have launched or scaled.', 'Your ability to operate as a senior partner, including defining and owning a portfolio.', 'Why you are drawn to building missing institutions and technical infrastructure for AI resilience.']

Research before applying

• Read about Convergent Research's existing FROs to understand their model and impact.
• Look into the concept of AI resilience and current efforts in the field.
• Study the structural gaps in R&D that Convergent Research aims to fill.
• Understand the difference between a nonprofit science studio and a venture incubator.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• What specific FROs or projects would you propose to advance AI resilience?
• How would you identify and prioritize opportunities in AI resilience?
• Describe a time you built a scientific or technical organization from scratch.
• How do you approach coordination across multiple projects and stakeholders?
• What do you see as the biggest gaps in current AI resilience efforts?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Focusing on building another AI company rather than defensive capabilities and resilience.
• Proposing projects that are easily monetizable or fit within traditional academic labs.
• Lacking a clear understanding of Convergent Research's FRO model and its purpose.