Senior Research Scientist

Full-time, exempt position requiring 40 hours weekly.

About the Role

A limited-term Senior Research Scientist position focused on advanced scientific research investigating agency, intentions, and artificial intelligence. This role requires expertise in philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, and AI research, with an emphasis on the study of intentions.

Responsibilities

• Conceptual analysis of AI systems:
  • Describe, evaluate, and improve definitions of key terms (alignment, alignment faking, belief, deception, intention) used in AI alignment research.
  • Supervise a team collecting and classifying these definitions across AI research and related fields.
  • Conduct conceptual analyses to refine definitions.
  • Prepare and submit research reports and manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication.
  • Assist in writing grants and funding requests on this topic.
• Development of a benchmark for agency and intentionality in AI:
  • Provide theoretical input into benchmark development.
  • Contribute to implementation and analysis of benchmark prototypes.
  • Prepare reports and submit findings for peer-reviewed publication.
  • Assist in writing grants and funding requests on this topic.
• Outreach and event organization:
  • Support interdisciplinary collaboration between neuroscientists, philosophers, and AI researchers.
  • Contribute to event organization, including scientific program composition.
  • Provide scientific expertise in workshops, symposia, and talks.
  • Assist with educational events (e.g., workshops, summer schools) for broader audiences.
  • Help write grants and funding requests related to this area.
• Laboratory and collaborative responsibilities:
  • Provide technical support for specialized lab equipment, including electroencephalography (EEG) systems.
  • Present research findings at academic conferences and mentor junior lab members in conference preparation.
  • Assist in planning and coordinating academic workshops, symposia, and lab events.
  • Co-mentor and supervise undergraduate research assistants, postbac researchers, and graduate students in experimental design, equipment usage, data collection, analysis, coding, and publication preparation.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Philosophy, Psychology, Neuroscience, or a related field.
• 1+ year of postdoctoral research experience in philosophy, psychology, or neuroscience.
• 5+ peer-reviewed publications in recognized scientific journals.
• Experience with MATLAB for experiment design and JASP or R for statistical analysis.
• Advanced understanding of inferential statistical methods and neurophysiological data analysis.
• Proficiency in setting up and using electrophysiological equipment (e.g., EEG systems).
• Excellent scientific writing and public presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple research tasks.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience supervising or mentoring research assistants or students.

Pay

Anticipated pay range: $85,000 - $90,000. This range reflects factors such as experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure, certifications, and organizational needs. Final salary offers are determined based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience, as well as internal equity.