At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative research projects in AI, conducting experiments and building robust infrastructure.
- Company: P-Zero Research, a public benefit corporation focused on safe AI development.
- Benefits: Relocation allowance, potential visa sponsorship, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth in London or the San Francisco Bay Area.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of AI while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Strong software engineering skills, strategic thinking, and a passion for AI safety.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
About P-Zero Research
P-Zero Research is a public benefit corporation working to improve the long term trajectory of artificial intelligence. We aim to forecast and mitigate the risks of automated AI R&D. Our recent work has involved improving takeoff forecasts by measuring the research taste of frontier models. Going forward, we’re improving our understanding of forecasts and risks of recursive self-improvement through studying strategic research taste and automated cyber uplift. As frontier labs move closer to automating their own research, we expect independent measurements and forecasts to become one of the main tools for pacing the frontier safely.
The role
Members of Technical Staff own a research project end to end. You would reason carefully about which capabilities are important for RSI and where existing takeoff models are least constrained by evidence: turning that reasoning into hypotheses and then into large-scale experiments that you execute. Depending on your expertise you may focus more on building infrastructure, running preliminary experiments, doing conceptual thinking or communicating results.
In this role you will:
- Conduct ambitious experiments to measure automated AI R&D capabilities
- Identify new threat vectors from automated AI R&D and how to measure them
- Run scrappy prototypes and rapidly iterate
- Build robust, production-grade infrastructure
- Update forecasters, policy makers and the AI safety community about the risks of RSI
People will thrive in this role with:
- Excellent strategic taste and research taste: you can prioritise effectively in domains with weak feedback loops
- High agency and conscientiousness
- Comfort with ambiguity and adapting fast
- Strong, fast software engineering skills and concise written communication
- High attention to detail: you actually read the datasets
- Alignment with P-Zero’s mission to improve the long-term trajectory of AI
Bonus points for:
- Frontier-lab or METR/AISI-adjacent expertise
- Prior research experience in evals
- Being based in, or able to relocate to, London or the San Francisco Bay Area
Location
We prefer people to work in person in London or the San Francisco Bay Area. We’re open to remote for exceptional candidates, with regular overlap during our core hours (8-10am Pacific / 4-6pm UK).
Visas and relocation
We offer a relocation allowance for moves to London or the San Francisco Bay Area. San Francisco Bay Area: we sponsor US work visas (typically O-1A, E-3 or TN) and cover legal and filing fees, including for dependants. Sponsorship isn’t guaranteed for every candidate, but if we make you an offer we’ll work with you and our immigration counsel to find the right route. London: we can’t sponsor UK visas at the moment, so you’ll need an existing right to work in the UK or a visa you hold in your own right, such as a Global Talent visa.
Member of Technical Staff in London employer: P-Zero Research PBC
P-Zero Research PBC provides a unique opportunity for professionals interested in AI safety and research. The company encourages ownership of research projects and fosters a collaborative work environment that promotes innovation and intellectual growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Member of Technical Staff in London
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at P-Zero Research PBC or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to P-Zero Research PBC.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like P-Zero Research PBC.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like P-Zero Research PBC that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Member of Technical Staff in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at P-Zero Research PBC.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at P-Zero Research PBC and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at P-Zero Research PBC
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If P-Zero Research PBC uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
