Frontier AI Research Lead

The Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET) is currently seeking candidates to lead our Frontier AI research efforts, either as a Research Fellow or Senior Fellow (depending on experience).

About the Research:

CSET is expanding our work on issues related to the cutting-edge, general-purpose AI systems known as ‘frontier AI.’ Building on work by CSET’s CyberAI Project, Foundational Research Grants program, and other teams, this research aims to give policymakers and other stakeholders greater clarity about the general-purpose AI frontier, including current capabilities, use cases, and risks; where the frontier might move next, including the prospects of developing artificial general intelligence or ‘superintelligence’ and the factors that likely to alter those prospects; and how new evidence should affect our picture of what to expect. Key areas for examination include investigating Chinese frontier AI efforts, monitoring the development and deployment of increasingly capable AI agents, making sense of conflicting evidence around capabilities and risks, and assessing compute demands of frontier systems. Understanding why experts disagree about key frontier AI issues and exploring what those issues mean for policy will be recurring themes across projects

. About the Rol

e:You will lead a new team at CSET that focuses on Frontier AI issues, including shaping priorities, laying out an overall research strategy, overseeing the execution of the research and production of reports, and helping to hire and manage supporting researchers, including (Sr.) Research Analysts and Student Research Assistants. Additionally, CSET Fellows frequently interact with government, industry, and international organizations and serve as subject matter experts for the medi

a. Responsibiliti

es:The incumbent must be comfortable interpreting and analyzing technical AI/ML research (e.g., large language models, multimodal systems, reinforcement learning) and distilling complex findings into clear, policy-relevant insights. They should be comfortable working with empirical data and using qualitative methods, such as in-depth interviews, and other research approaches to support policy recommendations. CSET Fellows are expected to lead research projects, communicate their findings in clear writing and presentations understandable to non-experts, brief policymakers, participate in public events, and manage and mentor CSET’s Research Analysts, Research Assistants, and student affiliates. They must work collaboratively with other CSET research teams with common interests and relevant expertise. They are also expected to work closely with CSET’s data team to conduct empirical analys

es.In addition, the Frontier AI Fellow will report to CSET’s Director of Analysis and be responsible for the followi

• ng:Developing, proposing, and leading research projects related to the Center’s mission and Frontier AI, both individually and in collaboration with other Research/Senior Fellows, (Senior) Research Analysts, Data Scientists, and Center leaders
• hipDesigning research plans for data-focused analytic projects in coordination with members of CSET’s Data Science Team by identifying data needs, data team resourcing, and risk management approach
• es.Producing written publications, both individually and as a co-aut
• horSupervising, mentoring, and coaching other researchers, including (Senior) Research Analysts, Data Research Analysts, and Student Research Assistan
• ts.Editing related products by other researchers to ensure methodological rigor, tone, and consistency with other existing produc
• ts.Collaborating with CSET data scientists in building out CSET’s data and documentation librari
• es.Developing and delivering presentations and briefs for policy-making audiences on topics related to Frontier AI issues and policy opti
• onsMotivating, coaching, and challenging team members to provide quality projects and advance their professional developme
• nt.Preparing and presenting performance (project and/or people) updates to leadersh
• ip.Monitoring trends and developments in CSET areas of interest and national security poli
• cy.Contributing to CSET’s organizational development, including contributing to internal working groups, seminars, and discussions; and supporting and mentoring colleag
• uesUpholding CSET’s mission, values, and cultu

re. Strong Candida

tes:We are looking for candidates with the analytic tradecraft necessary to understand, track, and evaluate issues related to cutting-edge AI systems and their broader implications. This does not require experience across every aspect of AI research and policy, but a strong candidate will have deep familiarity with the frontier AI landscape as well as expertise in at least one of the following ar

1. eas:Ongoing debates around safety, security, and governance of frontier AI systems, including around dangerous capabilities, loss of control risks, and systemic eff
2. ectsApplied experience in developing, training, deploying, or evaluating large-scale AI mo
3. delsCompute requirements, scaling laws, and infrastructure challe
4. ngesChinese AI research, policy, and deploy

ment Requirements for All Candid

• ates:Graduate (Master’s, JD, PhD) degree in a relevant
• fieldAbility to conduct research, write, brief, and manage others with limited need for superv
• isionFamiliarity with interpreting and visualizing
• dataExcellent oral and written communication s
• killsExcellent problem-solving and critical-thinking s
• killsCuriosity and enthu
• siasmCollaborative attitude; demonstrated ability to work in—and lead—
• teamsProject or team management exper
• ienceProficiency with office productivity tools like Google Docs and Microsoft O
• fficeAbility to work in the United States without employer sponso

rship Requirements for those applying as Research F

• ellow:At least 3 years of experience in research and policy analysis, including familiarity with interpreting and visualizin

g data Requirements for those applying as Senior

• Fellow:At least 5 years of public service in senior roles OR 10 years of experience in progressive roles in the private
• sector.Experience in policy-making, research and development leadership, corporate leadership roles, or analysis experience is des
• irable.Comfort working in a matrixed/multi-disciplinary envi
• ronmentDemonstrated experience and proficiency in mentoring, professional development, and the creation of an inclusive environment within which employees can develop and grow effe
• ctivelyMotivated, enthusiastic, and self
• -drivenSignificant experience coaching and mentoring junior analysts/researchers in analytic and research tra

decraft This position is based in the United States and offers no relocation assistance. This position is not eligible for a specialty-occupation sponsorship. Accordingly, this position requires that all applicants be legally eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship from Georgetown Uni

versity. In general, Research Fellows can expect to earn between 100k-130k/year and Senior Fellows can expect to earn between $160-190k/year, commensurate with ex

perience. Application In

structionsWe encourage anyone interested in this subject area to submit an application, even those unsure of their

candidacy.PLEASE NOTE: A complete application must include the

1. following
2. :Resume/CVCover Letter that addresses the following
3. questions:Why are you applying to this posi
4. tion/CSET?What level (Research or Senior Fellow) are you app
5. lying for?Provide an example of a recent development (technical, commercial, or geopolitical) related to advanced AI models that you believe has important policy implications. What makes it si
6. gnificant?Writing Samples (2): Please provide two writing samples. Ideally, these samples would be policy-oriented research and sole-authored, but any self-selected writing sample of at least two pages (e.g., class paper, prior project work, etc.) is a

cceptable. CSET’s Commitment

to Fellows:As part of CSET’s mission to develop the next generation of decision-makers, Fellows will have opportunities to lead significant research projects, manage teams, brief government officials; interact with the media; collaborate with internal and external research partners; engage with policymakers and other stakeholders in government and the private sector; and contribute meaningfully to CSET’s research agenda and development as an organization. Fellows gain exposure to government and other public service career options; and develop people management competencies. CSET is dedicated to providing full support to our staff through tailored professional development opportunities, flexible work arrangements and caree

r coaching.