Application Guide
How to Apply for Research Scientist
at Neo Research
🏢 About Neo Research
Neo Research is a Singapore-based research and evaluations lab at the forefront of ensuring frontier AI can be safely deployed at scale. Their focus on loss-of-control and harmful manipulation risks makes them a key player in AI safety, offering a unique opportunity to shape the future of responsible AI development.
About This Role
As a Research Scientist at Neo Research, you will lead cutting-edge research on loss-of-control and manipulation risks in frontier AI models, designing novel evaluation methods to detect sandbagging and deception. Your work will directly influence safety reports and publications that advance the field, with the autonomy to set research directions alongside a collaborative team.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve reviewing recent frontier model releases, designing and running evaluations for sandbagging or deception, and analyzing results to draft sections of a safety report. You'll also participate in team discussions to set research priorities and collaborate on writing papers for top AI safety venues.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Neo Research Is Looking For
- Has deep expertise in AI safety research, specifically focused on frontier models and risk evaluation, with a track record of published work in top venues.
- Possesses strong machine learning and model evaluation skills, including experience with adversarial testing and red-teaming.
- Demonstrates ability to lead research direction and collaborate effectively, with experience authoring impactful safety reports or papers.
- Is actively engaged with the AI safety community, attending workshops or contributing to safety benchmarks.
📝 Tips for Applying to Neo Research
Highlight your experience with evaluation awareness, sandbagging, or deception in AI models—mention specific methodologies you've developed or used.
Tailor your research statement to explicitly address how your past work aligns with Neo Research's focus on loss-of-control and manipulation risks.
Showcase any publications or reports you've authored on AI safety, especially those that influenced safety practices.
Demonstrate your ability to set research direction by describing a project you led from conception to publication.
Mention familiarity with Singapore's AI safety landscape or global collaborations, as Neo Research is based there but operates remotely.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Emphasize your expertise in frontier model evaluation and your specific contributions to understanding loss-of-control risks.', 'Describe how your research has directly addressed manipulation or deception in AI, and its impact on safety.', "Highlight your collaborative leadership style and how you've set research priorities in previous roles.", "Express alignment with Neo Research's mission to safely deploy frontier AI at scale, and your eagerness to contribute to their evaluations lab."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read Neo Research's published safety reports and papers to understand their current evaluation methodologies and findings.
- → Study their blog posts or talks on loss-of-control and manipulation risks to grasp their research philosophy.
- → Familiarize yourself with Singapore's AI governance framework and how Neo Research fits into the broader safety ecosystem.
- → Look into their team members' backgrounds and recent projects to identify potential collaboration areas.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't submit a generic AI safety application—this role is specifically about frontier model evaluation, so avoid irrelevant research topics.
- Avoid downplaying the importance of evaluation awareness and sandbagging; these are core to the role, not side issues.
- Don't neglect to mention your authoring experience—Neo Research values publications and reports, so omit this at your peril.
📅 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!