Application Guide
How to Apply for Researcher, Benchmark Reviews
at Epoch AI
🏢 About Epoch AI
Epoch AI is a unique, mission-driven research team focused on understanding and forecasting the trajectory of advanced AI. Working here means contributing to critical analysis that informs the AI community and policymakers about the capabilities and risks of emerging AI systems.
About This Role
As a Researcher for Benchmark Reviews, you will be at the forefront of evaluating AI progress by dissecting new benchmarks every two weeks. Your detailed reports will help the AI community understand what benchmark performance really means, influencing research directions and public perception.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve reading a newly released benchmark paper, running initial experiments with a coding agent to probe task difficulty, and drafting a critical analysis. You'll collaborate with teammates to refine findings and then write a public-facing report, ensuring it's accurate and accessible before publication.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Epoch AI Is Looking For
- Has strong analytical skills and experience critically evaluating AI benchmarks or experimental methodologies.
- Can write clear, engaging, and accessible public-facing reports that translate technical findings for a broader audience.
- Is proficient with coding agents or similar tools to automate and enhance analysis of benchmark tasks.
- Stays current with AI research, especially benchmark design and evaluation methods.
📝 Tips for Applying to Epoch AI
Tailor your cover letter to highlight specific experience with AI benchmarks or evaluation, mentioning any benchmarks you have analyzed.
Showcase your writing skills by including links to published reports, blog posts, or research summaries that demonstrate clarity and insight.
Demonstrate your analytical process by describing a past project where you evaluated an AI system or benchmark in detail.
Mention any experience with coding agents (e.g., using LLMs for analysis) and how you have used them to improve efficiency or depth.
Research Epoch AI's existing benchmark reviews and refer to them in your application, showing you understand their style and standards.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your passion for understanding and communicating AI capabilities through rigorous evaluation.', 'Specific examples of your analytical work on AI benchmarks or similar technical evaluations.', 'Your ability to produce clear, public-facing reports that are both accurate and engaging.', 'How your experience with coding agents or automated analysis can accelerate the review process.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read several of Epoch AI's existing benchmark reviews to understand their format, depth, and critical approach.
- → Review their research on AI trends and forecasting to see how benchmark evaluations fit into their broader mission.
- → Familiarize yourself with the team members' backgrounds and their previous work on AI evaluation.
- → Check recent AI benchmarks like SWE-bench, HumanEval, or MMLU to be ready to discuss them.
💬 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 reference Epoch AI's specific work or the benchmark review role.
- Overemphasizing machine learning modeling skills without showing analytical and writing abilities.
- Ignoring the requirement for coding agent experience – even if limited, mention any relevant tool use.
📅 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!