Senior Psychologist or Sociologist - AI Psychology & Safety

Senior Psychologist or Sociologist - AI Psychology & Safety

Full-Time 130000 - 190000 € / year (est.) No home office possible
T

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Research and develop psychological guidelines for AI safety and well-being.
  • Company: Join Google DeepMind, a leader in AI innovation and ethics.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, equity, and comprehensive benefits.
  • Other info: Collaborate with top experts in a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on AI technology and its interaction with people.
  • Qualifications: PhD in Psychology or related fields with research experience in child development.

The predicted salary is between 130000 - 190000 € per year.

We are seeking a Senior Psychologist or Sociologist to join the Responsible Development & Innovation team (ReDI) at Google DeepMind. The candidate must have a strong general understanding of core psychological principles and the ability to leverage internal and external expertise in AI-related areas (e.g., cognitive, behavioural) as well as the ability to translate these into technical safety protocols for AI models. An extensive working knowledge of developmental psychology is particularly important for supporting our work.

Artificial Intelligence could be one of humanity’s most useful inventions. At Google DeepMind, we’re a team of scientists, engineers, machine learning experts and more, working together to advance the state of the art in artificial intelligence. We use our technologies for widespread public benefit and scientific discovery, and collaborate with others on critical challenges, ensuring safety and ethics are the highest priority.

The Responsible Development & Innovation team (ReDI) proactively identifies, researches, and addresses emerging ethical and safety challenges in AI. Collaborating with internal and external experts, the team develops and refines practical guidelines and policies to ensure Google DeepMind’s technology aligns with our AI Principles. When necessary, the team conducts original research to inform these pioneering guidelines and policies.

The role involves ensuring our advanced AI models interact with people in healthy and developmentally appropriate ways, consistent with Google DeepMind’s values. You will use your intellectual agility and deep expertise in psychology and technical understanding of the AI model development pipeline to proactively identify, research and address potential ethical and well-being implications of our AI technologies. You will use this research to design model guardrails.

Key responsibilities:

  • Research and develop practical guidelines and implementable safety frameworks informed by general psychological principles and empirical data to define model behaviour in ways that promote positive outcomes and mitigate potential psychological harms.
  • Convert these frameworks into concrete evaluation protocols and red-teaming artifacts.
  • Stay informed about the latest research and emerging trends in child psychology, developmental science, and the evolving landscape of Generative AI and its potential impact on young people.
  • Proactively identify and research potential psychological risks and ethical considerations arising from interactions between advanced AI and children.
  • Work closely with AI researchers, ML engineers, and product managers across Google DeepMind to integrate psychological insights directly into the model training and deployment lifecycle.
  • Conduct thorough reviews of relevant academic literature in psychology, education and technology, human-computer interaction, and AI ethics.
  • Engage with internal and external experts to gather diverse perspectives and inform guideline development.

About you:

  • A PhD in Psychology (Clinical, Developmental, Social, Cognitive), Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Science, or related fields.
  • Significant research experience in one or more of the following areas: child development, adolescent psychology, attachment theory, social-emotional learning, Online Safety, or other relevant areas of applied psychology.
  • Experience working in a tech company, AI lab, or product-focused environment.
  • Familiarity with the AI development lifecycle and concepts such as Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF).
  • A strong understanding of ethical principles and considerations relevant to psychological research and the application of psychological principles in technology.
  • Demonstrated ability to learn quickly and contribute effectively to technical discussions outside of core expertise.
  • Excellent research, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate ambiguous psychological concepts into concrete technical requirements.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex psychological concepts clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively within interdisciplinary teams and contribute to a fast-paced environment.
  • A proactive and independent approach to identifying and addressing potential challenges and exploring novel research questions.
  • Experience with ethical considerations in technology development and familiarity with AI concepts and technologies.
  • Experience in applied research settings or translating academic knowledge into practical guidelines or applications.

Senior Psychologist or Sociologist - AI Psychology & Safety employer: The Rundown AI, Inc.

At Google DeepMind, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that prioritises ethical AI development and employee growth. As a Senior Psychologist or Sociologist, you will have the unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research while working alongside leading experts in the field, all within a supportive environment that values diverse perspectives and promotes professional development. Our commitment to employee well-being is reflected in our competitive salary packages, comprehensive benefits, and a strong focus on work-life balance, making us an exceptional employer for those seeking meaningful and impactful careers.

T

Contact Detail:

The Rundown AI, Inc. Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Psychologist or Sociologist - AI Psychology & Safety

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those at Google DeepMind. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just set you apart from the crowd.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews! Brush up on your knowledge of AI psychology and safety. Think about how your expertise can contribute to the Responsible Development & Innovation team and be ready to share your ideas.

Tip Number 3

Showcase your research skills! Be ready to discuss your past projects and how they relate to the role. Highlight any experience you have with ethical considerations in tech and how you've tackled challenges in your work.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Google DeepMind team!

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Psychologist or Sociologist - AI Psychology & Safety

PhD in Psychology (Clinical, Developmental, Social, Cognitive)
Research experience in child development
Adolescent psychology
Attachment theory
Social-emotional learning
Online Safety
Familiarity with AI development lifecycle

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the role. Highlight your experience in psychology and how it relates to AI safety. We want to see how your unique skills can contribute to our team!

Showcase Your Research Skills:Since this role involves a lot of research, don’t forget to mention any relevant projects or papers you've worked on. We love seeing how you’ve applied psychological principles in practical settings, especially in tech.

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language to explain complex ideas. We appreciate candidates who can communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences.

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 seen by the right people. We’re excited to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at The Rundown AI, Inc.

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you have a solid grasp of core psychological principles, especially those related to child development and human-computer interaction. Brush up on the latest research in these areas, as well as any relevant AI concepts, so you can speak confidently about how they apply to the role.

Show Your Collaborative Spirit

This role involves working closely with interdisciplinary teams, so be ready to discuss your experience collaborating with tech professionals. Share examples of how you've successfully integrated psychological insights into technical projects or guidelines in the past.

Prepare for Ethical Discussions

Given the focus on ethical considerations in AI, think about potential risks and challenges that could arise from AI interactions with children. Be prepared to discuss your views on these issues and how you would approach developing safety protocols.

Communicate Clearly

You’ll need to explain complex psychological concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences. Practice articulating your ideas clearly and concisely, perhaps by summarising key points from your research or previous work in a way that’s easy to understand.