Job Details

Research or Senior Fellow - Frontier AI

Position Number: 6643082
Location: Washington, DC
Position Type: Laboratory and Research

Research or Senior Fellow - Frontier AI
Georgetown University: Main Campus: Walsh School of Foreign Service

Location: 500 First St NW 7th Floor
Open Date: Oct 13, 2025
Deadline: Nov 10, 2025 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Description
The Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET) is currently seeking
candidates to lead our Frontier AI research efforts, either as a Research Fellow or
Senior Fellow (depending on experience).

About the Research:
CSET plans to expand our work on issues related to the cutting-edge, general-purpose AI systems known as frontier AI.' Building on work by CSET's CyberAI Project, Foundational Research Grants program, and other teams, this research aims to give policymakers and other stakeholders greater clarity about the general-purpose AI frontier, including current capabilities, use cases, and risks; where the frontier might move next, including the prospects of developing artificial general intelligence or superintelligence' and the factors that likely to alter those prospects; and how new evidence should affect our picture of what to expect. Key areas for examination include investigating Chinese frontier AI efforts, monitoring the development and deployment of increasingly capable AI agents, making sense of conflicting evidence around capabilities and risks, and assessing compute demands of frontier systems. Understanding why experts disagree about key frontier AI issues and exploring what those issues mean for policy will be recurring themes across projects.

About the Role:
You will help lead and coordinate CSET's Frontier AI research, including shaping
priorities, laying out an overall research strategy, overseeing the execution of the
research and production of reports, and helping to hire and manage supporting
researchers, including (Sr.) Research Analysts and Student Research Assistants.
Additionally, CSET Fellows frequently interact with international organizations, act as a connector between industry and government, and serve as subject matter experts for the media.

Responsibilities:
The incumbent must be comfortable interpreting and analyzing technical AI/ML research (e.g., large language models, multimodal systems, reinforcement learning) and distilling complex findings into clear, policy-relevant insights. They should be comfortable working with empirical data and using qualitative methods, such as in-depth interviews, and other research approaches to support policy recommendations. CSET Fellows are expected to lead research projects, communicate their findings in clear writing and presentations understandable to non-experts, brief policymakers, participate in public events, and manage and mentor CSET's Research Analysts, Research Assistants, and student affiliates. They must work collaboratively with other CSET lines of research with common interests and relevant expertise. They are also expected to work closely with CSET's data team to conduct empirical analyses.

In addition, the Frontier AI Fellow will report to CSET's Director of Analysis and be
responsible for the following:

Developing, proposing, and leading research projects related to the Center's
mission and Frontier AI, both individually and in collaboration with other
Research/Senior Fellows, (Senior) Research Analysts, Data Scientists, and
Center leadership

Designing research plans for data-focused analytic projects in coordination with
members of CSET's Data Science Team by identifying data needs, data team
resourcing, and risk management approaches.

Producing written publications, both individually and as a co-author

Supervising, mentoring, and coaching other researchers, including (Senior)
Research Analysts, Data Research Analysts, and Student Research Assistants.

Editing related products by other researchers to ensure methodological rigor,
tone, and consistency with other existing products.

Collaborating with CSET data scientists in building out CSET's data and
documentation libraries.

Developing and delivering presentations and briefs for policy-making audiences
on topics related to Frontier AI issues and policy options

Motivating, coaching, and challenging team members to provide quality projects
and advance their professional development.

Preparing and presenting performance (project and/or people) updates to
leadership.

Monitoring trends and developments in CSET areas of interest and national
security policy.

Contributing to CSET's organizational development, including contributing to
internal working groups, seminars, and discussions; and supporting and
mentoring colleagues

Upholding CSET's mission, values, and culture.

Strong Candidates:
We are looking for candidates with the analytic tradecraft necessary to understand, track, and evaluate issues related to cutting-edge AI systems and their broader implications. This does not require experience across every aspect of AI research and policy, but a strong candidate will have deep familiarity with the frontier AI landscape as well as expertise in at least one of the following areas:
1. Chinese AI research, policy, and deployment
2. Ongoing debates around safety, security, and governance of frontier AI systems,
including around dangerous capabilities, loss of control risks, and systemic
effects
3. Compute requirements, scaling laws, and infrastructure challenges
4. Applied experience in developing, training, deploying, or evaluating large-scale
AI models

Requirements for All Candidates:

Graduate (Master's, JD, PhD) degree in a relevant field

Ability to conduct research, write, brief, and manage others with limited need for
supervision

Familiarity with interpreting and visualizing data

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Excellent problem-solving and critical-thinking skills

Curiosity and enthusiasm

Collaborative attitude; demonstrated ability to work in-and lead-teams

Project or team management experience

Proficiency with office productivity tools like Google Docs and Microsoft Office

Ability to work in the United States without employer sponsorship
Requirements for those applying as Research Fellow:

At least 3 years of experience in research and policy analysis, including
familiarity with interpreting and visualizing data
Requirements for those applying as Senior Fellow:

At least 5 years of public service in senior roles OR 10 years of experience in
progressive roles in the private sector.

Experience in policy-making, research and development leadership, corporate
leadership roles, or analysis experience is desirable.

Comfort working in a matrixed/multi-disciplinary environment

Demonstrated experience and proficiency in mentoring, professional
development, and the creation of an inclusive environment within which
employees can develop and grow effectively

Motivated, enthusiastic, and self-driven

Significant experience coaching and mentoring junior analysts/researchers in
analytic and research tradecraft

This position is based in the United States and offers no relocation assistance. This position is not eligible for a specialty-occupation sponsorship. Accordingly, this position requires that all applicants be legally eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship from Georgetown University.
In general, Research Fellows can expect to earn between 100k-130k/year and Senior Fellows can expect to earn between $160-190k/year, commensurate with experience.

Application Instructions
We encourage anyone interested in this subject area to submit an application, even those unsure of their candidacy.
PLEASE NOTE: A complete application must include the following:
1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter that addresses the following questions:
a. Why are you applying to this position/CSET?
b. What level (Research or Senior Fellow) are you applying for?
c. Provide an example of a recent development (technical, commercial, or
geopolitical) related to advanced AI models that you believe has important
policy implications. What makes it significant?

3. Writing Samples (2): Please provide two writing samples. Ideally, these
samples would be policy-oriented research and sole-authored, but any self-
selected writing sample of at least two pages (e.g., class paper, prior project
work, etc.) is acceptable.

CSET's Commitment to Fellows:
As part of CSET's mission to develop the next generation of decision-makers, Fellows will have opportunities to lead significant research projects, manage teams, brief government officials; interact with the media; collaborate with internal and external research partners; engage with policymakers and other stakeholders in government and the private sector; and contribute meaningfully to CSET's research agenda and development as an organization. Fellows gain exposure to government and other public service career options; and develop people management competencies. CSET is dedicated to providing full support to our staff through tailored professional development opportunities, flexible work arrangements and career coaching.

Qualifications

Application Instructions

For more information and to apply, visit https://apply.interfolio.com/174866

GU is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, and will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, citizenship, color, disability, family responsibilities, gender identity and expression, genetic information, marital status, matriculation, national origin, race, religion, personal appearance, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.