[Hiring] Principal Researcher @Partnership on AI

Role Description

The Partnership on AI is seeking a Principal Researcher to lead the technical backbone of PAI’s work, with emphasis on benchmarking, evaluation, and technical standards that strengthen PAI's impact. This person will report to the Chief Programs and Insights Officer and work closely with colleagues leading PAI’s focus areas: AI, Human Connection, and Well-Being; Trustworthy AI Value Chains; and AI & Shared Prosperity.

PAI's approach is sociotechnical by design: we don't treat "technical" and "social" as separate tracks, but as a single problem to be solved coherently. This role will direct how PAI orients its work around that philosophy. The Principal Researcher will bring deep technical fluency to questions that are also social.

• Develop PAI's point of view on the evaluation and benchmarking ecosystem.
• Advance the adoption of shared industry guidance through development of benchmarks, evaluations, and technical standards.
• Offer technical leadership and shape the strategic direction of PAI’s focus areas.
• Support technical efforts from other PAI teams, including Policy and International.
• Work with PAI’s Partnerships team to support fundraising efforts.
• Design and build implementation pathways for sociotechnical solutions.

Qualifications

• Eight or more years of relevant technical experience across AI, human-computer interaction, trust and safety, or another relevant interdisciplinary field.
• Fluency in both technical and sociotechnical domains, with priority given to those with advanced degrees in a technical discipline like computer science.
• Strong, accessible writing skills.
• Experience translating guidance into evaluations, benchmarks, standards, audit criteria, or informing certifications and professional training.
• Demonstrated ability to interface with and convene stakeholders with conflicting interests.
• Experience representing and speaking on behalf of an organization at events.
• Demonstrated capacity to set objectives and drive multistakeholder strategy autonomously.

Requirements

• PhD in computer science, AI, or a comparably technical discipline (preferred).
• Experience actively participating in and working with implementation partners on standards development and implementation (preferred).
• Professional emphasis on the social impact of technology.
• Familiarity with how AI systems are built and evaluated.
• Experience working on questions related to psychological well-being and/or content authenticity (preferred).
• Comfort with domestic and international travel.
• Comfort working in a small, evolving cross-disciplinary organization.

Benefits

• Twenty vacation days, three personal reflection days, and sick and family leave above industry standards.
• High-quality PPO and HMO health insurance plans, many 100% covered by PAI.
• Dental and vision insurance, 100% covered by PAI.
• Up to a 7% 401(k) match, vested immediately.
• Automatic cell phone reimbursement ($75/month).
• Annual funds to support professional development.
• $150 per month for co-working space access.
• Regular team lunches and focused work days.
• Opportunities to attend AI-related conferences.

How to Apply

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume. Only complete applications will be reviewed.

In your cover letter, we would welcome your view on one question the field has not resolved: how can normative guidance be better integrated with technical approaches to support impact and adoption by AI developers and deployers? Please keep your cover letter to no more than 750 words.