Fellowship Opportunities at SAIF – Advance AI Safety & Governance

Fellowship Opportunities at SAIF: Research Fellow, Senior Research Fellow, and Special Projects Fellow

The Safe AI Forum (SAIF) is inviting applications for a 6- or 12-month fellowship focused on advancing AI safety and governance. This remote opportunity is open to candidates with diverse backgrounds and experience in AI safety, offering the chance to contribute to impactful projects aligned with SAIF’s mission. Fellows will be integrated into the team and gain access to a broad network of experts and collaborators.

About SAIF

SAIF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering global cooperation to mitigate extreme AI risks and ensure the equitable distribution of AI benefits. Established in late 2023 by Fynn Heide and Conor McGurk, SAIF’s flagship initiative, the International Dialogues on AI Safety (IDAIS), brings together senior scientists and policymakers to enhance international AI governance. Additionally, SAIF conducts AI governance research, provides advisory support to aligned nonprofits, and organizes key workshops.

Role Overview

Fellows will play a crucial role in enhancing SAIF’s research impact by designing and executing high-impact projects related to AI safety and governance. The fellowship is designed for candidates with expertise in these areas, and exceptional applicants may propose their own projects. Throughout the program, fellows will receive guidance and support from the SAIF leadership team. The fellowship may also lead to permanent employment based on mutual interest.

Fellowship Tracks & Qualifications

Research Fellow

Passion for contributing to AI safety and governance.
Understanding of key challenges in AI safety and policy.
Experience conducting original research in AI safety or related domains.
Proven ability to deliver high-quality, consistent work.
Strong collaboration and communication skills in a remote setting.
Self-motivated and proactive in research initiatives.

Senior Research Fellow

Advanced academic or professional experience in AI safety and governance.
A strong record of impactful research, publications, or policy contributions.
Leadership experience in AI safety initiatives.
Capacity to independently design and execute complex research projects.
Well-connected within the AI safety and governance community.
Understanding of how the fellowship can enhance their contributions in AI safety.

Special Projects Fellow

Keen interest in AI safety through applied projects, policy work, or operational initiatives.
Experience managing high-impact projects in AI safety or governance.
Ability to analyze complex AI-related issues and develop practical solutions.
Comfortable collaborating across teams and disciplines.
Strong project management skills, with experience leading initiatives from concept to execution.

Project Areas

Fellows will work on diverse topics ranging from traditional research to event planning and application-driven projects. Potential projects include:

International AI Coordination: Evaluating feasible international agreements and collaborative mechanisms for AI governance.
AI Safety Standards & Best Practices: Researching ways to improve engagement with standards organizations and corporate AI policies.
International AI Coordination Bodies: Investigating the establishment of new AI safety organizations, such as incident-sharing platforms and verification systems.
Academic Collaboration in AI Safety: Strengthening international research cooperation in fields such as AI verification, deception, and risk assessment.
Custom Projects: Exceptional candidates can propose their own research projects that align with SAIF’s mission.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Candidates will be well-suited for this role if they:

Are motivated by the impact of international cooperation on AI safety.
Can prioritize effectively and pivot based on changing research priorities.
Are independent thinkers capable of conceptualizing, scoping, and executing projects.
Have strong communication skills for remote collaboration.
Are self-starters with demonstrated experience in independent research projects.
Possess knowledge of international relations, diplomacy, and emerging technologies.
Have experience or familiarity with China, given its relevance to AI governance.
Have multiple years of research experience in AI safety (preferred but not required).

Fellowship Logistics

Hiring & Compensation: Fellows will be employed by SAIF, a US-based nonprofit, through Deel, which facilitates remote employment in 160+ countries.
Duration: 6 or 12 months, with the possibility of extension or conversion to a permanent role.
Location: Fully remote, with optional co-working opportunities in London, San Francisco, Boston, Toronto, and New York City.
Work Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week).
Salary: $80,000–$140,000 per year, adjusted based on location and experience.
Application Process: Includes multiple interviews and a paid work task; application completion takes approximately 5–10 minutes.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Scholarship at Uniplus Global to apply