At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct research on AI's impact on human behaviour and develop mitigation strategies.
- Company: Join the world's leading team focused on AI safety and governance.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, learning stipends, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Collaborate with top experts and access cutting-edge resources in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in AI development and influence global policies.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in relevant field; strong coding and statistical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 145000 € per year.
The AI Security Institute is the world's largest and best-funded team dedicated to understanding advanced AI risks and translating that knowledge into action. We’re in the heart of the UK government with direct lines to No. 10 (the Prime Minister's office), and we work with frontier developers and governments globally. We’re here because governments are critical for advanced AI going well, and UK AISI is uniquely positioned to mobilise them. With our resources, unique agility and international influence, this is the best place to shape both AI development and government action.
The deadline for applying to this role is Monday 1st June 2026, end of day, anywhere on Earth.
Team Description
The Human Influence team studies when, why, and how frontier AI systems influence human attitudes and behaviour. The team's mandate is to build a rigorous, world-class evidence base for the safe and responsible development of frontier AI. We measure the impacts of frontier AI systems on human users, to identify risks to human agency and wellbeing; and develop mitigation strategies. This includes research on persuasion, manipulation, deception, advice‑giving, theory of mind, anthropomorphism, sycophancy, and socioaffective human–AI relationships.
Our team includes top technical talent from academia and frontier AI companies. Our projects combine methods from computational social science, AI safety and security, cognitive science, behavioural science, computer science, machine learning, and data science. Many of our projects involve conducting careful and rigorous human–AI interaction experiments and randomised controlled trials (RCTs).
On our team, you will have the:
- Ability to run large-scale RCTs
- Access to API credits for autograders/agentic workflows and large compute budgets
- Opportunity to work with world‑class talent
- Opportunity to lead‑author or co‑author publications
Successful candidates will work with our Research Scientists to design and run studies that answer these important questions. The role is particularly suitable for candidates with an interest in pursuing a research career (e.g. recently graduated MSc students or early‑stage PhD students). We encourage applications from candidates who are excited about this opportunity, but who may not meet all the stated criteria.
We are especially excited about candidates with experience in one or more of these areas:
- Computer science, machine learning, AI
- Computational social science
- Data science, especially including natural language processing
This is a full‑ or part‑time, fixed‑term contract (6 months) in London.
Required Skills and Experience
- Completed bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
- Knowledge about frontier models and how they are trained and evaluated
- Experience planning and conducting human experiments (ideally longitudinal and/or large‑scale online studies)
- Strong coding skills (in Python and/or R)
- Strong knowledge of advanced statistical modelling methods (e.g. multilevel/hierarchical/mixed regression models)
- Strong verbal and written communication, experience working on a collaborative research team, and interpersonal skills
- Demonstrable interest in the societal impacts of AI
Desired Skills and Experience
- Published work related to societal impacts of AI, evaluation of AI systems, or relevant work in a related field
- Experience working on model or system evaluations and other AI safety projects
- Experience evaluating or training multimodal AI models
- Experience fine‑tuning language models
- Experience with reinforcement learning (especially RLHF or reward modelling)
- Enrolled in an MSc/PhD (or equivalent years of industry experience) in AI safety, computer science, data science, social or political science, economics, cognitive science, criminology, security studies, or another relevant field
- Front‑end software engineering skills to build UI for studies with human participants
In accordance with the salary figures below, this role has been specifically scoped at Level 3.
What We Offer
- Impact you couldn't have anywhere else
- Incredibly talented, mission‑driven and supportive colleagues.
- Direct influence on how frontier AI is governed and deployed globally.
- Work with the Prime Minister’s AI Advisor and leading AI companies.
- Opportunity to shape the first & best‑resourced public‑interest research team focused on AI security.
- Resources & Access
- Pre‑release access to multiple frontier models and ample compute.
- Extensive operational support so you can focus on research and ship quickly.
- Work with experts across national security, policy, AI research and adjacent sciences.
- If you’re talented and driven, you’ll own important problems early.
- 5 days off and annual stipends for learning and development, and funding for conferences and external collaborations.
- Freedom to pursue research bets without product pressure.
- Opportunities to publish and collaborate externally.
Life & Family
- Modern central London office (cafes, food court, gym), or where applicable, option to work in similar government offices in Birmingham, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, Salford or Bristol.
- Hybrid working, flexibility for occasional remote work abroad and stipends for work‑from‑home equipment.
- At least 25 days’ annual leave, 8 public holidays, extra team‑wide breaks and 3 days off for volunteering.
- Generous paid parental leave (36 weeks of UK statutory leave shared between parents + 3 extra paid weeks + option for additional unpaid time).
- On top of your salary, we contribute 28.97% of your base salary to your pension.
- Discounts and benefits for cycling to work, donations and retail/gyms.
*These benefits apply to direct employees. Benefits may differ for individuals joining through other employment arrangements such as secondments.
Annual salary is benchmarked to role scope and relevant experience. Most offers land between £65,000 and £145,000 made up of a base salary plus a technical allowance (take‑home salary = base + technical allowance). An additional 28.97% employer pension contribution is paid on the base salary.
This role sits outside of the DDaT pay framework given the scope of this role requires in depth technical expertise in frontier AI safety, robustness and advanced AI architectures.
Research Assistant - Human Influence in London employer: AI Security Institute
The AI Security Institute is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of AI research in a dynamic and supportive environment. With direct access to influential government figures and a commitment to impactful research, employees benefit from generous leave policies, professional development stipends, and a collaborative culture that prioritises innovation and societal impact. Located in central London, the institute provides a modern workspace with hybrid working options, ensuring a healthy work-life balance while contributing to critical advancements in AI governance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Assistant - Human Influence in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the AI and research community, especially those connected to the AI Security Institute. Attend events, webinars, or even local meetups to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those related to human–AI interaction or statistical modelling. This will give you an edge and demonstrate your hands-on experience to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of frontier AI systems and their societal impacts. Be ready to discuss your past experiences and how they relate to the role, as well as any innovative ideas you have for future research.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our mission-driven team at the AI Security Institute.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Assistant - Human Influence in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Research Assistant role. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with our mission at the AI Security Institute. We want to see how you can contribute to our team!
Show Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for AI and its societal impacts shine through in your application. We love candidates who are genuinely excited about the work we do, so don’t hold back on sharing your thoughts and ideas!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless it's necessary. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at AI Security Institute
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and research in AI, especially around human influence and societal impacts. Familiarise yourself with key concepts like RCTs, advanced statistical modelling, and the ethical implications of AI. This will not only show your passion but also your readiness to contribute meaningfully.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare to discuss your coding skills, particularly in Python or R, and any relevant projects you've worked on. Be ready to explain how you've applied advanced statistical methods in your previous work or studies. Concrete examples will help demonstrate your expertise and problem-solving abilities.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team’s current projects, their approach to AI safety, and how they measure the impact of their research. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
✨Be Collaborative
Since the role involves working closely with a diverse team, highlight your experience in collaborative research settings. Share examples of how you've successfully worked with others to achieve common goals, and emphasise your strong communication skills. This will reassure them that you can thrive in their team-oriented environment.
