MATS Research Manager

As a Research Manager, you will play a crucial role in accelerating and guiding AI safety & security researchers, facilitating high-impact projects, and contributing to the overall success of our program. This role offers a unique opportunity to develop your skills, play a significant role in the field of AI safety, and work with top researchers from around the world.

Your day-to-day will involve talking to both fellows and mentors to understand the needs and direction of their projects. This may involve providing feedback on papers, becoming integrated into the research team in a supporting role, and/or ensuring that there is a robust plan to get from where the project is now to where it needs to be. Longer term, MATS Research Managers have grown to lead their own teams of Research Managers, and spearhead major initiatives at MATS.

We are excited for candidates that can augment their work as a research manager by utilizing their pre-existing expertise in one or more of the following domains:

  • Theory - providing informed feedback to fellows on research direction, theory of impact, and helping MATS to assess new program offerings.

  • Engineering - helping fellows to become stronger research engineers, and building out the internal tooling of MATS.

  • Management - providing fellows with structure and accountability for their research, supporting mentors in people management, and helping pioneer improvements to MATS systems and infrastructure.

  • Communication - helping fellows to present their research in more compelling ways to influential audiences, contributing to research publications, and improving how MATS communicates its work.

Who We're Looking For

We welcome applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and strongly encourage you to apply if you fit into at least one of these profiles:

  • Experienced professionals in the fields of technical research, governance research, and/or research management

  • Experienced team managers, especially those with technical or governance backgrounds

  • AI safety & security professionals looking to apply and further develop their management skills, diversify their experience, and/or broaden their impact across a spectrum of projects

  • Coaching and/or managing people in a supportive way, especially in the context of supporting technical researchers and/or scientists

  • Engineering product/project managers from tech-focused organizations or a STEM industry

If you do not fit into one of these profiles but think you could be a good fit, we are still excited for you to apply! Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.


What we Offer

  • Opportunity to help accelerate and launch the careers of highly talented early-career AI Safety researchers

  • Opportunity to be intimately involved in impactful research projects: some Research Managers have been acknowledged as co-authors on the conference papers they supported

  • Chance to work with and learn from top researchers in the field

  • Professional development and skill enhancement opportunities, e.g. deep-dives into bleeding-edge AI tools for research acceleration

  • Funding and support for professional development, including attending industry and professionally relevant conferences

  • Flexibility for remote work in between cohorts

  • Collaborative and intellectually stimulating work environment

  • Access to our office spaces in Berkeley, London, and other partnered office spaces

  • Private medical insurance, including dental and vision

  • Meals provided Monday-Friday

Visa sponsorship may be possible but is not guaranteed; we encourage all interested candidates to apply.

Compensation

Compensation will be $130,000–$200,000 annually for Berkeley roles and £85,000–£130,000 for London roles, depending on experience and location.

Working hours and location

40 hours per week. Successful candidates can expect to spend most of their time working in-person from our main offices. Research Managers will be based either in person at our office in Berkeley, California, or in person at our office in Old Street, London. Research managers with a strong background in policy or governance are welcome to join our team in Washington, DC for hybrid co-working. We are open to other hybrid working arrangements for exceptional candidates.