The posting
About METR
We are a nonprofit research organization that develops scientific methods to assess AI capabilities, risks, and mitigations, with a specific focus on threats related to AI R&D automation and misalignment.
We believe it is robustly good for policymakers and civil society to have a clear understanding of risks from AI systems, and we are extremely excited to build a team of ambitious, excellent people to tackle one of the most important challenges of our time.
About the role
What this role looks like
- Building and maintaining durable bipartisan relationships on a foundation of unbiased analysis and technical understanding.
- Synthesizing political dynamics into clear recommendations and analysis for staff to directly inform METR’s overall strategy.
- Managing visits and briefings from METR staff in DC, including on very short notice during times of intense need.
- Supporting METR’s formal work with government partners, including maintaining key agency relationships and coordinating on contracts and other agreements.
- Translating complex technical findings into briefings and memos fit for policymakers.
- Scoping and driving new DC initiatives as the policy landscape evolves.
Required attributes
- You have established relationships with policymakers, and a track record of building relationships with senior officials.
- You have experience translating complex technical topics into actionable language in environments with significant institutional resistance or uncertainty.
- You understand how the policymaking process and key institutions work, the perspectives of different stakeholder groups, and have a track record of operating effectively in DC.
- You are committed to accuracy, transparency over advocacy, and informing over persuading. You have experience engaging productively with stakeholders with different starting assumptions and subject-area expertise.
- You take initiative without extensive oversight, and are comfortable making consequential decisions, pivoting when the landscape changes, and building systems from scratch.
- You keep confidential and sensitive information private to maintain trust with policymakers and the public.
- You are eligible for a TS/SCI security clearance from the US government.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience managing outside counsel, coalitions, third-party groups, and communications resources.
- Familiarity with federal contracting, grants, or other agreements with government agencies.
- Prior service in national security, intelligence, or cybersecurity roles in government.
Compensation and benefits
- Retirement: 401(k) with a 100% match up to 8% of salary
- Life Insurance: Employer-paid basic life insurance at 1x salary
- Time-off and leave: Unlimited PTO and 21-week parental leave for new parents
- The office: Catered lunch and dinner daily; in-office gym and shower
- Health:
- Medical, dental and vision coverage with 99% employee premiums paid
- Employer funded HRA for out-of-pocket health costs
- Fertility benefits through Carrot
- Additional stipends:
- Relocation: for moving to the Bay Area
- Wellness: for gym memberships, equipment, therapy, medication, and other wellness expenses
- Commuter: Monthly transit/parking stipend and an annual Uber budget
- Professional development: for training, courses, conferences, and AI safety education
- Work equipment: for home office and workstation equipment expenses
- Management coaching for managers
Our culture
We encourage you to apply even if your background may not seem like the perfect fit! We would rather review a larger pool of applications than risk missing out on a promising candidate for the position.
We are committed to diversity and equal opportunity in all aspects of our hiring process. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We welcome and encourage all qualified candidates to apply for our open positions.
