How to apply for Research Manager, Supervised Program for Alignment Research

About Kairos

Kairos is a nonprofit dedicated to AI safety fieldbuilding, focusing on filling critical talent gaps in the field. Unlike many organizations, Kairos directly supports the next generation of AI safety researchers through programs like SPAR, making it a unique place to contribute to reducing risks from advanced AI.

About the role

As Research Manager for SPAR, you'll be the backbone of an AI safety research fellowship, directly supporting mentors and mentees through 1:1 chats, project scoping, and event planning. Your work will enable early-career researchers to produce impactful alignment research, amplifying the field's capacity to address AI risks.

A typical day

A typical day might start with checking Slack and email to address mentee questions, followed by a 1:1 video call with a mentee to discuss project blockers. Afternoon could involve planning next month's workshop, coordinating with a speaker, and updating program documentation.

Who Kairos is looking for

• Has experience managing or coordinating research or educational programs, with a track record of supporting participants and stakeholders.
• Excels at communication and interpersonal skills, able to build trust with mentees and mentors through regular check-ins and troubleshooting.
• Is highly organized and capable of planning monthly events (workshops, speaker sessions) while juggling multiple tasks like Slack/email support and Demo Day coordination.
• Has familiarity with AI safety or technical research, even if not an expert, to effectively scope projects and understand participant needs.

Tips for this application

• Highlight any experience with AI safety or technical research, even from coursework or self-study, to show domain familiarity.
• Provide concrete examples of program coordination, especially in educational or research settings, detailing how you supported participants.
• Mention any event planning or community management experience, emphasizing your ability to deliver engaging workshops or speaker sessions.
• Tailor your resume to show strong organizational skills, using metrics (e.g., 'coordinated 20+ mentees across 3 cohorts').
• In your cover letter, express genuine interest in AI safety fieldbuilding and how this role aligns with your career goals.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your passion for AI safety and understanding of why fieldbuilding is critical to reducing risks from advanced AI.', "Specific examples of how you've supported researchers or students in a programmatic role, including troubleshooting and project scoping.", 'Your ability to manage multiple stakeholders (mentors, mentees, speakers) and deliver events that foster community and learning.', 'Your organizational skills and comfort with remote work, including using Slack, email, and video calls for regular check-ins.']

Research before applying

• Read about Kairos's mission and fieldbuilding approach on their website, especially their focus on talent gaps.
• Look into the SPAR program details: past cohorts, projects, and outcomes to understand the fellowship's structure.
• Familiarize yourself with key AI safety concepts (e.g., alignment, interpretability) and organizations like MIRI, Anthropic, or OpenAI.
• Check Kairos's blog or publications for insights into their community events and speaker series.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you handle a mentee who is struggling with their research project? Walk us through your approach.
• Describe a time you organized a successful event. What steps did you take to ensure it met participants' needs?
• What is your understanding of AI safety, and why do you think programs like SPAR are important?
• How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple mentees and events simultaneously?
• How would you gather feedback from mentors and mentees to improve the program?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Don't focus solely on general program management without connecting to research or AI safety contexts.
• Avoid being vague about your organizational skills; provide specific examples with measurable outcomes.
• Don't neglect to show genuine interest in AI safety fieldbuilding—generic interest in 'making an impact' won't stand out.