Now is a great time to get a career in AI policy

I'm hiring! And dozens more impactful AI policy roles

If you’re looking for a career and want to consider work in AI policy at an illustrious think tank or in Congress, now seems like a great time as many organizations are hiring.

I’ve selected some roles that I personally endorse working at and think highly of. If you like this blog, you’re likely the target audience for many of these roles. If you’re career searching right now, consider applying!

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[DC or remote/global] Shape AI’s impact on national security and work with me!

First up is me! I work at the Institute for AI Policy and Strategy (IAPS), a DC + remote think tank focused on US federal AI policy (and also some work in the UK).

We’re hiring for several roles:

• Researchers and Senior Researchers for our Frontier Security team, offering $81K-$220K/yr to work on cutting-edge AI security challenges that directly influence US defense and national security policy.

  • The ideal candidate has 1+ years (Researcher) or 5+ years (Senior Researcher) of prior experience in research, policy, or technical roles.

  • Work will focus specifically on tackling critical questions around autonomous AI systems in cyber warfare, developing AI security technologies for high-stakes applications, and advising government stakeholders on AI preparedness.

• Researchers and Senior Researchers for our Compute Policy team. Also a salary of $81K-$220K/yr depending on experience. The ideal candidate has prior experience working with AI, tech policy, chips/semiconductors, export controls, data center security, hardware-based access controls, or supply chains.

• Senior Researcher - AI International Strategy to play a central role conducting research and engaging policymakers. Salary of $111K-$220K. The ideal candidate has strong thinking on the topics of AI and geopolitics.

• Senior Research Manager (or Director) in either Frontier Security or Compute Policy to help lead our respective research teams and manage a team of 3-6 researchers. Here we are prioritizing research management, project management skills, and understanding of the AI landscape. Salary of $111K-$220K. 6+ years of research/policy experience with prior management experience is key.

• A (Senior) Programs Associate to help build the talent pipeline for our AI Policy Future and architect their flagship AI Policy Fellowship ($70K-$110K/yr). As the second hire on the Programs team, you'll design immersive curricula, secure participation from top policymakers and AI experts, coach fellows ranging from recent grads to senior professionals, and help shape how talented people transition into high-impact AI policy careers.

  • The role starts with a 3-6 month contract (expecting permanent conversion) and involves orchestrating the fellowship's 2-week DC intensive from September 1-November 21.

  • Ideal candidates bring strong project management skills, passion for mentorship, and existing networks in tech/AI policy

Some details about all the roles at IAPS:

• The roles are fully remote, open to non-Americans, and we can hire in most countries, however we have a preference for candidates based in DC or SF. We can also support with visas and relocation.

• While we are looking for candidates with minimum experience levels, we welcome applications from candidates with significantly more experience than this! We have a wide salary range to compensate for experience appropriately.

• We are open to part-time work as long as you can do 20+ hours per week.

• Apply by July 31

• We are hosting a Q&A webinar on July 21.

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[DC or Europe] Work on important US tech policy questions at RAND

RAND’s Technology and Security Policy Center (TASP) is rapidly expanding with openings for researchers, research leads, and project managers across their Compute, US AI Policy, Europe, and Talent teams.

Led by experts like Lennart Heim (Compute team) and Brodi Kotila + Chris Byrd (US AI Policy team), these roles offer unparalleled access to classified government work, direct policy influence, and the ability to translate cutting-edge AI governance concepts into implementable proposals.

They're seeking ML engineers, semiconductor experts, policy wonks, and excellent generalists who can handle both rapid-response briefings and longer-term strategic projects.

RAND's unique position provides strong credibility with US and allied governments plus a track record of real policy impacts, bringing an important combination of technical expertise and national security policy-making. They are hiring in both US and Europe, with some roles closing July 27.

Apply here or message Michael Aird on Twitter with questions. These roles are open to non-Americans.

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[DC] Launch Your Career Shaping America's AI and Biotech Policy

The Horizon Fellowship offers an unparalleled pathway into US emerging technology policy with a 100% placement rate at federal agencies, congressional offices, and think tanks.

This fully-funded program provides $113,000/year (or $75,000 for junior fellows) to work on critical AI, biotechnology, and emerging tech challenges in Washington DC either in Congress, the Executive Branch, or a DC-based think tank in a 1-2 year placement.

Fellows receive intensive policy training, mentorship from senior leaders, and join a tight-knit community of public service-oriented experts — with many alumni converting to permanent roles at NSC, OSTP, Commerce, and other key institutions.

Applications close August 28 for the 2026 cohort starting with training in 2026 January. Must already be eligible to work in the US (though doesn’t require US citizenship) and be willing to relocate to DC.

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[Remote US] Bridge Academia and Government to Shape AI Policy

Princeton's Laboratory for AI seeks Policy Fellows to embed with federal and state agencies in a unique program offering $130K-$180K to advance responsible AI development from inside government.

Fellows will spend a year at agencies like the US AI Safety Institute, HHS, state regulators, or OSTP, conducting risk assessments, evaluating AI systems, and advising leadership on critical policy decisions.

This rare opportunity requires 7+ years of AI/ML/tech policy experience and an advanced degree, with placements starting between July-December this year.

The role is remote with travel to DC and Princeton. Applications reviewed starting June 24th - must already be eligible to work for US federal/state agencies (citizenship or permanent residency typically required).

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[DC] Work for Center for New American Security’s AI Security Initiative

The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) is expanding their initiative on AI security and stability. This coordinated hiring effort spans multiple seniority levels, all focused on advancing the national security community’s understanding of AI risks and developing concrete policy solutions.

At the leadership level, CNAS seeks a Fellow/Senior Fellow for their Technology and National Security Program to lead research on mitigating risks from advanced AI capabilities, including AI-enabled cyber and biological weapons development, misaligned AI behaviors, and recursive AI improvement.

They're also hiring an Associate Fellow with 3-5 years of experience to conduct deep research on AI security while engaging senior government officials and technology leaders.

Supporting these senior researchers will be two Research Assistants/Associates — one focused on AI risks and governance, another specializing in compute governance and semiconductor policy.

A Project Coordinator will orchestrate the entire initiative, managing complex logistics, tracking deliverables, and supporting strategic policy development.

All positions offer three-year appointments based in Washington DC. These roles are open to non-Americans who are willing to relocate (relocation assistance available).

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[London or US] Define AI governance at the Centre for the Governance of AI

The Centre for the Governance of AI (GovAI) is recruiting for two roles — Research Scholars and Research Fellows — shaping how humanity navigates the AI transition. GovAI has helped define the field since 2018, with alumni now working AI governance at DeepMind, OpenAI, Anthropic, and government positions.

Research Scholars receive £75K-£95K for a one-year visiting position with remarkable flexibility. Research Fellows are experienced researchers earning £80K-£100K on two-year renewable contracts who drive core research priorities while mentoring junior staff.

Both roles offer extraordinary freedom to pursue impactful work across frontier AI safety, international governance, compute policy, AI economics, and technical governance.

Based primarily in London, with US options available. Applications close July 20th. These roles are open to both Americans and non-Americans.

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[DC] Help The Future Society prepare for AI Crises before they happen

The Future Society seeks a Research Fellow contractor to help prepare the US government for potential crises involving the most powerful AI systems, including eventual AGI — building concrete operational playbooks and mapping complex response networks for scenarios.

This $440-$523/day contract role for 1-6 months (with potential for permanent placement) is based in Washington DC and involved strategic research on large-scale AI risk scenarios and crisis response mechanisms, with assistance coordinating private expert consultations to stress-testing response strategies.

The role is best for those with some technical grounding in areas like AI cybersecurity, evaluations, alignment, risk modeling, or crisis response. This isn't theoretical work - you'll be that could define humanity's future. The position offers direct mentorship and the chance to shape national preparedness strategies at a critical moment.

Apply by July 28th - this role is open to Americans and non-Americans but you must have pre-existing US work authorization.

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[DC] Help Encode move AI ideas into actual legislation

Encode AI, an advocacy powerhouse working on state and federal legislation across America seeks a Policy Analyst/Director to drive their next policy push. Encode's track record speaks for itself — they don't just write white papers, they convert ideas into action and get them across the finish line through coalition building, political strategy, and hands-on advocacy.

This $110,000+ DC-based role, potentially open to both early career and experienced candidates. The role would involve drafting legislative text and amendments, building coalitions across government and industry, and helping manage multiple concurrent campaigns while under pressure. The ideal candidate brings high agency, intellectual agility, and strong writing skills, ready to tackle everything from emergency weekend responses to strategic long-term planning.

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