Application Guide

How to Apply for (Senior) Research Engineer/Scientist

at METR

🏢 About METR

METR appears to be a research-focused organization in Mountain View's competitive tech hub, likely working on cutting-edge technologies given the emphasis on innovation and cross-functional collaboration. The company's location suggests involvement in Silicon Valley's ecosystem of tech innovation, making it attractive for researchers wanting to work at the intersection of technology development and practical application.

About This Role

This senior research role involves leading projects from conception through development, requiring both deep technical expertise and leadership capabilities. You'll be responsible for identifying research opportunities, designing new technologies, and translating findings into implementable solutions while collaborating across engineering, scientific, and business teams.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve morning meetings with engineering teams to discuss implementation challenges, followed by focused research time designing experiments or analyzing data, then collaborating with scientists on methodology, and ending with preparing presentations to update stakeholders on project progress. You'll constantly balance deep technical work with communication across different parts of the organization.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who METR Is Looking For

  • Holds a Ph.D. in computer science, engineering, or physics with 5+ years of hands-on R&D experience beyond academic research
  • Demonstrates a track record of leading research projects that resulted in tangible technologies or products
  • Possesses exceptional communication skills for presenting complex research to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
  • Thrives in fast-paced environments where research must balance scientific rigor with practical implementation timelines

📝 Tips for Applying to METR

1

Quantify your 5+ years of R&D experience with specific metrics: number of projects led, patents filed, technologies transferred to production, or papers published

2

Highlight experience working with cross-functional teams (engineers, scientists, business leaders) in your resume bullet points

3

Research METR's potential technology focus areas (AI, hardware, materials science) and tailor your application to show relevant expertise

4

Prepare examples of how you've identified research opportunities that led to innovative solutions, not just executed assigned projects

5

Emphasize both your technical depth (Ph.D.-level expertise) and your ability to communicate complex concepts to diverse audiences

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience leading research projects from ideation through development phases', 'Specific examples of collaborating with cross-functional teams to implement research findings', 'How your Ph.D. research and subsequent 5+ years of experience prepare you for this senior role', 'Your approach to balancing rigorous research with the demands of a fast-paced development environment']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Investigate METR's potential technology focus areas through any available publications, patents, or industry connections
  • → Research the Mountain View tech ecosystem to understand what types of companies METR might be collaborating with
  • → Look for information about METR's company culture and how research teams are structured within the organization
  • → Identify any public-facing team members or leaders at METR to understand their backgrounds and research interests

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk through a specific research project you led from opportunity identification to implementation
2 Describe your experience presenting research findings to stakeholders with varying technical backgrounds
3 How do you prioritize research opportunities when working in a fast-paced environment?
4 Provide examples of successful collaboration with engineers, scientists, and business leaders on previous projects
5 What methodologies do you use for designing and testing new technologies?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on academic research without demonstrating practical application or product development experience
  • Failing to show leadership experience despite this being a senior role requiring project and potentially team leadership
  • Presenting yourself as purely a researcher without evidence of collaboration skills with cross-functional teams

📅 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:

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 METR!

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