Research Scientist, Philosophy Program
About The Position
Resolution is a research organization focused on aligning artificial superintelligence (ASI). The philosophy team at Resolution investigates philosophical questions related to AI alignment, such as the meaning of concepts like honesty and character, the nature of moral competence, the guidance of moral theories for model behavior, and the delegation of research to models. The team aims to advance alignment by examining these questions and testing empirical claims through experimentation. Early hires will help shape the research agenda and develop new lines of work. Potential research areas include conceptual engineering, understanding character and traits in AI, normative evaluation of models, the role of moral theories in alignment, and the epistemic and safety risks of automating conceptual reasoning. The organization is interested in proposals for new philosophical research that can significantly improve alignment understanding or practice.
Requirements
- PhD in a relevant field (e.g., philosophy, cognitive science, psychology, mathematics, or machine learning) or a record of rigorous research experience.
- Demonstrated motivation to work on AI alignment, evidenced through previous publications, relevant experiences, or a clear explanation of research focus pivot.
- Ability to identify important questions in areas with unclear problems, concepts, or success criteria.
- Interest in connecting philosophical analysis with empirical and technical research.
- Clear communication and productive collaboration skills with researchers from diverse disciplinary backgrounds.
- 1-2 page CV including links to publications.
- Cover letter (max 500 words) addressing motivation, fit for the role, and research interests.
- Names and contact details for 2-3 academic or professional references.
Nice To Haves
- Research experience in AI safety, AI alignment, or other domains relevant to ASI futures.
- Ability to design, run, or help develop experiments.
- Previous experience working in interdisciplinary research teams.
- Interest and capacity to translate conceptual questions into hypotheses, interventions, or evaluation criteria.
- Relevant expertise in areas such as epistemology, philosophy of science, philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, action theory, moral psychology, or ethics.
Responsibilities
- Lead or contribute to original research projects in philosophy and AI alignment.
- Identify important but underspecified problems and turn them into projects.
- Connect philosophical analysis to empirical hypotheses, experimental designs, training approaches, or evaluation methods.
- Collaborate closely with researchers from machine learning and other relevant disciplines.
- Communicate research clearly through papers, internal reports, presentations, and external engagement.
- Contribute to the intellectual culture and development of the philosophy team and Resolution.
- Define and lead broad or ambiguous areas of research (depending on seniority).
- Help set the team's research agenda and strategic priorities (depending on seniority).
- Initiate and lead collaborations across Resolution and with external researchers (depending on seniority).
- Supervise, mentor, or manage more junior researchers (depending on seniority).
- Represent the philosophy team in organization-wide research planning (depending on seniority).
Benefits
- 5 weeks of paid vacation per year, in addition to public holidays.
- Comprehensive healthcare insurance (medical, dental, vision).
- Unlimited sick leave.
- Unconditional 401(k) contribution equal to 4% of salary.
- Visa sponsorship for relocation to Berkeley.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
