The situation
There are a lot of AI safety fellowships with more junior talent, and a handful of full-time jobs mostly geared towards senior researchers. The fact that nearly everyone is now using AI (Claude Code) to accelerate their research also means there is less and less for junior researchers to do.
This difficulty is structural — a growing pain from the field expanding so rapidly. It is not a verdict on you or your work.
What hiring managers say
Organizations are being hyper-selective and conservative in hiring choices.
- They want senior researchers who require minimal supervision
- Who can set research agendas
- Who can contribute independently from day one
- Junior hires carry too much risk and potential time investment, and require senior supervision (for "research taste")
From a MATS study of 23 hiring managers, research leads, and funders. Read the study →
What actually works: collaborate with a known researcher
That's why the best way to get a foot in the door is by collaborating with a well-known researcher in the field. A personal recommendation from a credible researcher provides far stronger evidence of a candidate's ability than degrees, interviews, or even publications.
That's one reason AI safety has so many fellowships — they provide exactly this signal: you work under a qualified mentor.
Programs to apply to
Programs like MATS, ERA, and LASR Labs all run on their own cycles, so check each one for current deadlines.
Our guide
Fellowships
MATS, ERA, LASR Labs, ARENA, Astra and the rest of the landscape — how each program works, when they run, what they look for, and how to build a strong application.
Our guide
Job boards
Where roles actually get posted — the 80,000 Hours job board and the other places worth checking. Fewer junior openings than you'd like, but worth watching.
You don't need a formal structure
It's also a good idea to set up collaborations directly with people in the field — for example, with people you meet at conferences. Many people in AI safety make their own roles and submit their own grants; the field rewards being entrepreneurial.
If you are new to the field, consider going to EA Global events, and look into Coefficient Giving's career transition funding.