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Senior Researcher, Civil Safety Sciences

Future of Life InstituteAnywhere (Open Globally)CARMA
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Salary
$155K - $215K USD
Job type
Full-Time, Contract
Work mode
Remote
Posted
27 May 2026
Status
Open · checked 7d ago

About this role

Role Overview

The Future of Life Institute is hiring a Senior Researcher, Civil Safety Sciences for a full-time, contract role operating globally on a remote basis. This position suits an experienced hard-science or engineering professional ready to shape portfolios addressing novel, AI-enabled civilizational shocks and resilience technologies.

Key Responsibilities

Perform structured horizon-scanning to identify novel AI-enabled hazard classes lacking historical data.
Research next-generation detection sciences, such as adaptive pathogen surveillance and open-ended detection.
Conduct feasibility studies on deep resilience and lifeline systems designed for extreme scenarios.
Analyze biosphere-scale vulnerabilities, including synthetic microbes, geoengineering, and environmental toxicology.
Identify and advance defensive and stabilizing technologies that favor human safety and transparency.
Conduct scientific metaresearch regarding evidence generation and decision-making under weak empirical feedback.
Build scientific coordination through standards, cross-border working groups, and frontline responder support.
Co-author grant applications, create analytical tools, and translate research for policymakers and the public.
Collaborate across different CARMA programs to integrate civil safety perspectives.

Requirements

Advanced degree in a hard-science or engineering discipline, with PhD or greater than one master's degree preferred.
Substantive familiarity with adversarial environments, security studies, red-teaming, or dual-use technology assessment.
Demonstrated capability to evaluate hazards lacking robust historical data or settled detection paradigms.
Five or more years of relevant research or applied experience with independent project delivery.
Strong publication record or equivalent output focused on technological risk, detection science, or resilience.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills tailored for policymakers and non-specialists.
Strong systems thinking with comfort operating under substantial uncertainty.
Substantive grounding in modern artificial intelligence capabilities and trajectories.
Self-directed work ethic with sound judgment for solving high-leverage problems.

Nice to Have

Interdisciplinary credentials bridging fields like biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, computer science, ecology, or public health.
Direct experience in biosurveillance, civil defense, emergency preparedness, food security, or environmental monitoring.
Background in scientific metaresearch, foresight methodologies, or structured expert elicitation.
Experience in grant writing, science diplomacy, or convening research communities.
Skills in modeling, tool building, or dashboard development for risk visualization.
Track record in AI safety, AI governance, biosecurity policy, or cognitive security.

Skills and Tools

Advanced scientific research methodologies and horizon-scanning frameworks.
Analytical tool building, modeling, and risk visualization dashboard development.
Grant writing, science diplomacy, and evidence synthesis techniques.
Systems thinking and structured expert elicitation.

Salary and Benefits

Annual salary range of $155,000 to $215,000 in USD.

About the Company

Future of Life Institute hosts CARMA, the Center for AI Risk Management & Alignment. CARMA focuses on lowering catastrophic risks to humanity and the biosphere from increasingly powerful artificial intelligence systems through rigorous analysis, policy frameworks, technical safety, and global perspectives. CARMA is fiscally sponsored by Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit corporation.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their application directly on the official company careers page.

Questions candidates ask

What is the salary range for the Senior Researcher role?

The salary ranges from $155,000 to $215,000 USD per year.

Is this job fully remote?

Yes, the position is 100 percent remote with open global availability, though occasional travel and periodic laboratory visits are required.

What qualifications are required for education?

An advanced degree in a hard-science or engineering discipline is required, with a PhD or greater than one master's degree preferred.

How many years of experience are needed?

Candidates must have five or more years of relevant research or applied experience with a track record of running independent projects.

Are visa sponsorships available?

No, visa sponsorships are not available at this time. Candidates outside the U.S. will be engaged as independent contractors.

Ready to apply?

The application is on the official Future of Life Institute careers page.

Apply on company site