Application Guide

How to Apply for Research Fellowship

at AI Alignment Foundation

🏢 About AI Alignment Foundation

The AI Alignment Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to accelerating neglected approaches to AI alignment. Unlike many organizations that focus on policy or advocacy, they directly fund original researchers and pair them with dedicated engineering teams and compute resources, enabling rapid, hands-on research progress.

About This Role

This Research Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to conduct independent AI alignment research at industry speed, with the support of a dedicated engineering team. Fellows produce publishable outputs like LessWrong posts and peer-reviewed papers, culminating in a Demo Day presentation. The role is fully remote, allowing flexibility while working on one of the most critical challenges in AI safety.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a stand-up with your paired engineering team to align on compute needs and experiment priorities. You'd then spend several hours coding, running experiments, and tracking results using tools like Weights & Biases, followed by writing up findings for a LessWrong post. Afternoon could involve a feedback session with an AE researcher to refine your project direction, ending with a review of recent alignment literature to spot new neglected approaches.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who AI Alignment Foundation Is Looking For

  • Has a strong track record of independent research in AI alignment, such as published papers or technical blog posts.
  • Is proficient with experiment tracking and prioritization tools (e.g., Weights & Biases, MLflow) and can manage multiple research directions.
  • Thrives in collaborative environments, actively seeking and incorporating feedback from peers and senior researchers.
  • Can produce clear, rigorous research outputs suitable for peer review, with experience writing for technical audiences.

📝 Tips for Applying to AI Alignment Foundation

1

Tailor your research statement to highlight how your work aligns with the Foundation's focus on neglected approaches—show you understand their specific niche.

2

Include concrete examples of experiment tracking and prioritization in your past projects, e.g., how you used a tool to compare hypotheses.

3

Mention any experience with engineering collaboration, as the role pairs you with an engineering team.

4

Submit a writing sample (e.g., a LessWrong post or paper draft) that demonstrates clarity and technical depth.

5

Quantify your research speed: e.g., 'Produced 3 papers in 6 months' to show you can operate at industry speed.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific research interests in neglected alignment approaches and why they matter.', 'Proven ability to work independently and produce publishable results quickly.', 'Experience collaborating with engineers or using compute resources effectively.', 'Enthusiasm for presenting at Demo Day and engaging with the broader alignment community.']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read the Foundation's published research and blog posts to understand their preferred approaches and terminology.
  • → Study their funding history and which researchers they've supported to identify patterns in their focus areas.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the concept of 'neglected approaches' in AI alignment (e.g., from the EA forum).
  • → Review the profiles of current or past fellows to understand the caliber and background they look for.
Visit AI Alignment Foundation's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a past research project where you had to prioritize between multiple experiments—how did you decide?
2 How would you approach incorporating feedback from a senior researcher who disagrees with your methodology?
3 What neglected alignment approach are you most excited about and why?
4 Walk us through your experiment tracking workflow for a recent project.
5 How do you ensure your research outputs are publishable? Give an example of how you structured a paper or post.
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic research statement that doesn't connect to the Foundation's mission of neglected approaches.
  • Overemphasizing policy or ethics without technical depth—this is a research role requiring hands-on work.
  • Ignoring the collaboration aspect: don't present yourself as a solo researcher who doesn't need feedback.

📅 Application Timeline

⏰ Deadline: August 17, 2026

We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.

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 AI Alignment Foundation!

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