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Apply here by Mar 9, 2025.

Operations Generalist

ML Alignment & Theory Scholars (MATS) is a US charity dedicated to building the field of AI safety research. Our mission to find, train and support talented individuals for what we see as the world’s most urgent and talent-constrained problem: reducing risks from unaligned artificial intelligence (AI). We believe that ambitious researchers from a variety of backgrounds have the potential to meaningfully contribute to the field of alignment research. We aim to provide the training, logistics, and community necessary to aid this work. MATS runs the largest AI safety research programme, connecting aspiring AI safety talent to some of the best mentors in the field. MATS scholars have produced high-quality research output and have transitioned into technical and governance roles at leading AI safety organisations. To scale our program and execute it efficiently, we are seeking a talented individual to join our London team as an Operations Generalist.

About the Role

We’re looking for proactive and dedicated operations professionals to enable the MATS program in London to scale and provide the best-possible experience to our scholars. As an Operations Generalist at MATS, you’ll support scholars, mentors, and team members such that they can better focus on object-level work.

Working from the office spaces at London Initiative for AI Safety (LISA), your day to day will involve executing strategic initiatives and process improvements, planning and running events for scholars, coordinating with vendors  and communicating MATS work to external audiences via blog posts. 

Who We're Looking For

We welcome applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds, and strongly encourage you to apply if you fit into at least one of these profiles:

• Operations managers from a start-up culture

• Professionals with project management experience

• Community builders, especially in the AI Safety space

• People who have worked as generalists in smaller organisations

If you do not fit into one of these profiles but think you could be a good fit, we are still excited for you to apply!

Key Responsibilities

The exact responsibilities of the role will vary subject to the profile of the successful candidate and MATS’ priorities over time, but will include task such as:

Office & Program Operations

• Lead the scholar onboarding processes, including visa administration, documentation management, and first-week scheduling

• Oversee daily office operations and administrative functions, including coordination with LISA

• Manage catering services and vendor relationships

• Maintain and update the scholar handbook and associated program materials

Event Planning & Community Building

• Plan and execute various scholar and community events, including:

  • Regular speaker events and lightning talks

  • Visits to AI labs, research sharing sessions and alumni gatherings

  • Social events for scholar such as a weekly breakfast and activities at program start and completion

• Develop and implement strategies for strengthening alumni engagement

• Coordinate and run community-building initiatives

Communications & Documentation

• Collaborate with Research Managers to showcase scholar and fellow achievements in blog posts

• Contribute to program retrospectives

• Maintain and enhance team documentation

Strategic Projects

• Research and provision new office space in collaboration with the LISA team

• Support hiring initiatives as the program scales

• Evaluate and implement alternative catering solutions, vendors

• Drive process improvement initiatives and support execution of miscellaneous MATS projects

Essential Skills & Experience

• Significant experience in operations management or similar role

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English

• Strong event planning and project management capabilities

• Ability to work independently and take initiative in a fast-paced environment

• An interest in AI safety

UK work authorization is required for this role.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Visa processes and international program administration 

• Community-building

• Writing technical content for external audiences

• Some familiarity with the AI Safety landscape

What We Offer

• Opportunity to support highly impactful AI safety research

• Professional development and skill enhancement opportunities

• Collaborative and intellectually stimulating work environment

• Work in a small team and take on responsibility and initiatives

• Competitive salary and benefits (see below)

• Access to the LISA office space

• Meals provided Monday-Friday

• Reimbursement of travel-related expenses

Working hours and location

40 hours per week. Successful candidates can expect to spend most of their time working in-person at the LISA office in London. For strong candidates, we are open to flexible hybrid working arrangements.

Compensation

• £50,000 - £65,000 per annum