At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead research on AI takeoff models and conduct large-scale experiments.
- Company: P-Zero Research, a public benefit corporation focused on AI safety.
- Benefits: Relocation allowance, competitive salary, and opportunities for impactful research.
- Other info: Work in vibrant London or San Francisco, with remote options for exceptional candidates.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI while collaborating with top minds in the field.
- Qualifications: PhD in economics or equivalent experience; coding skills are a plus.
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. 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
As an economist on our technical team, you would own a research agenda end to end: developing models of AI takeoff and estimating their key parameters with data that no one else has. You would find the assumptions that move forecasts most and have the least evidence behind them, then pin them down with large-scale experiments and data from frontier labs.
In this role you will:
- Build and refine models of AI takeoff, and test which parameters drive their forecasts
- Estimate their key parameters from public data and new experiments you design
- Build relationships across academic, policy and industry communities
- Work with our engineers to execute experiments at scale on frontier models
- Design proposals for safely pacing automated AI R&D progress
- Publish great papers that help the world prepare for the transformative effects of AI
People will thrive in this role with:
- A strong track record in empirical research such as a PhD in economics or equivalent experience
- Relevant experience in some of:
- Enough comfort with light coding, alone or with AI coding agents, to analyse your own results
- The ability to turn an ill-posed question into a tractable model or estimate
- Alignment with P-Zero’s mission to improve the long term trajectory of AI
Bonus points for:
- A background in growth theory or the economics of innovation
- Frontier-lab or METR/AISI-adjacent expertise
- 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, Economist 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.
