Application Guide
How to Apply for Software Engineer - Core Technology
at AI Security Institute
🏢 About AI Security Institute
The AI Security Institute is uniquely positioned as the world's largest and best-funded organization focused on AI safety, operating directly within the UK government with access to the Prime Minister's office. This role offers unparalleled influence at the intersection of cutting-edge AI research and government policy, working alongside alumni from top AI labs like Anthropic, DeepMind, and OpenAI.
About This Role
As a Software Engineer on the Core Technology Team, you'll build research-oriented software and infrastructure that directly supports AI safety research with real-world policy impact. You'll work in small teams on critical projects while receiving mentorship from technical leads and collaborating with world-class researchers on frontier AI problems.
💡 A Day in the Life
You might start your day collaborating with researchers to understand their infrastructure needs, then design and implement tools to support their experiments. After lunch, you could be reviewing code with your small team, followed by a technical discussion with AI safety researchers about how to better instrument their experiments. The day often ends with implementing improvements based on researcher feedback.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who AI Security Institute Is Looking For
- Experience building research-oriented software or infrastructure (not just production systems)
- Ability to work in small, agile teams on open-ended research problems with real-world impact
- Technical versatility to work across different technology stacks as research needs evolve
- Interest in AI safety and the intersection of technology and government policy
📝 Tips for Applying to AI Security Institute
Highlight any experience with research software, academic collaborations, or open-ended technical problems rather than just production systems
Demonstrate understanding of AI safety concepts and why government involvement matters in this space
Show how you've worked effectively in small, autonomous teams on complex technical challenges
Emphasize your ability to quickly adapt to new technologies and research directions
Include specific examples of infrastructure or tools you've built that supported research or experimentation
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your specific interest in AI safety and why government involvement is crucial', "Examples of research-oriented software or infrastructure you've built (not just production code)", "How you've worked effectively in small, autonomous teams on complex problems", 'Your ability to adapt to evolving research needs and learn new technologies quickly']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → The AI Security Institute's specific research publications or public statements on AI risks
- → UK government's AI safety initiatives and how AISI fits into this ecosystem
- → Recent AI safety research from organizations like Anthropic, DeepMind, and OpenAI
- → The specific challenges of building research infrastructure versus production systems
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on production engineering experience without research software examples
- Treating this as just another software engineering role without showing interest in AI safety
- Demonstrating preference for rigid, well-defined projects over open-ended research problems
📅 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!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to AI Security Institute!