LLM Applied Researcher (LLM Auditing, Safety, & Disclosures for Commercialization Risks)

The AI Disclosures Project, co-led by Tim O’Reilly and Ilan Strauss, is a pioneering research initiative aimed at understanding and mitigating the risks arising from the commercialization of AI models, particularly large language models (LLMs). The project is dedicated to ensuring that AI technological development by corporations is driven by the right market incentives, through enhancing transparency and oversight. Our research focuses on the disclosures, auditing, and regulatory frameworks needed to address the potentially harmful incentives for AI companies to “move fast and break things” or use their market power and opaque algorithms to degrade output quality or exploit their ecosystem.

We are seeking a technically adept and self-starting Technical LLM Researcher to support all aspects of the project’s technical and conceptual research goals, including LLM auditing, testing, and regulatory disclosures. The role involves supporting (and for more senior candidates leading) scientific research into LLMs through applied AI research, involvement in interdisciplinary collaborations across organizations and internally, and communicating effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences. Remote work is possible for the right candidate.

Responsibilities

● Research & Publication:

○ Initiative in generating and adapting research ideas and the application of technical research concepts across domains.

○ Conduct applied technical research on LLMs, focused on model testing and auditing to advance AI safety research into AI commercialization risks.

○ Publish original research in academic journals and working papers.

● Collaboration

○ Work closely with other researchers, including project Directors Ilan Strauss and Tim O’Reilly, to align on research objectives. Work with a technical research lead on LLM models.

○ Engage with external partners from academia, industry, government, and the nonprofit sector to enhance the project’s impact.

○ More senior candidates will undertake research management responsibilities too.

Qualifications

● Degree in computer science, artificial intelligence, software engineering, data science, or a related field.

● Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.

● Some experience conducting scientific research related to AI and machine learning, particularly in LLMs, preferred.

● Passion for addressing societal impacts of AI and promoting transparency and accountability in AI technologies.

● Publication record in journals and/or a clear coding recording on GitHub.

Salary and Benefits

Researcher: Annual salary is $65,000 – $150,000

Salary scales with years of experience and publications.

Comprehensive benefits include health, dental, vision, disability, life, and gym reimbursement; $1,500 annual tuition and/or student loan reimbursement; outstanding pension plan and tax savings programs; generous vacation and sick leave; and more.

The Social Science Research Council is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are dedicated to equal employment opportunity and to cultivating and sustaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce. SSRC maintains a policy of non-discrimination with all employees and applicants for employment. All aspects of employment with the Council are made on the basis of competence, skill, and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, creed, color, religion, sex/gender, national origin/ancestry, ethnicity, age, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital or domestic partner status, medical conditions (including pregnancy and/or genetic information) or physical or mental disability, citizenship status, or any other categories prohibited by law.

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