Associate, AI and Advanced Computing

Schmidt Sciences is a nonprofit organization founded in 2024 by Eric and Wendy Schmidt that works to accelerate scientific knowledge and breakthroughs with the most promising, advanced tools to support a thriving planet. The organization prioritizes research in areas poised for impact including AI and advanced computing, astrophysics, biosciences, climate, and space—as well as supporting researchers in a variety of disciplines through its science systems program.

About the AI & Advanced Computing Center (“AI Center”)

The AI Center at Schmidt Sciences is a grantmaking and research group that views AI as a transformative force for scientific discovery and societal progress. Over the next decade, we aim to support key researchers who are working to make AI systems competent, trustworthy, reliable, and able to effectively partner with human scientists on the next generation of discovery. We will also make selected distinctive investments in beneficial AI areas where philanthropy has a unique advantage.

By supporting enabling infrastructure, foundational research, and targeted programs in science disciplines, the AI and Advanced Computing Center will create the conditions for AI-enabled discovery to achieve its promise.

The AI Center currently has three focus areas:

1. AI for Science

– using AI to improve how scientists generate hypotheses, conduct experiments, analyze data, and produce new knowledge – and do this in a way that specifically accelerates the discovery process.

2.

Science of AI

– understanding and controlling AI systems to mitigate and manage potential risks from advanced AI. Improve AI reliability and performance in areas of limited commercial interest and market failure. Existing programs include AI2050 and Science of Trustworthy AI.

3.

Beneficial AI

– providing scientific foundations and datasets for understanding the larger human impacts of AI. This includes selected high-impact grantmaking, such as our programs to use AI to accelerate humanities research, and to quantify the impact of AI on the labor market.

We are looking to hire up to 3 associates to support the following programs:

The Science of Trustworthy AI:

This program aims to support technical research that improves our ability to understand, predict, and control risks from frontier AI systems while simultaneously enabling their trustworthy deployment.

Interpretability

: This program funds basic and applied AI interpretability research, focusing on detecting deceptive model behaviors like sycophancy and knowingly harmful advice, enabling us to inspect what models are thinking and not just what they say, and better judge when their outputs can be trusted.

AI For Science:

These programs support the development of AI to improve how scientists generate hypotheses, conduct experiments, analyze data, and produce new knowledge – and do this in a way that specifically accelerates the discovery process.

Agents

: This program supports researchers in academia and nonprofits who are exploring how multiple intelligent agents communicate and coordinate with one another.

AI2050

: This program aims to support exceptional people working on the key opportunities and hard problems that are critical to get right for society to benefit from artificial intelligence.

The Role

The Associate will join the growing Center team to support existing and emerging grantmaking programs. Initially, they will support the strategic and operational necessities of the growing AI and Advanced Computing team.

This role would be responsible for the following elements of the Center's work. The specific work would be developed jointly by the Associate and their manager and may change from time to time.

Key Responsibilities: Workflow Management:

• Support the full lifecycle of the grant process, from proposal intake to final reporting. This includes supporting the selection process through SurveyMonkey Apply, updating application materials, and external facing resources.
• Proposal Evaluation
• : Review applications for compliance and general programmatic fit. Identify, on-board and coordinate external reviewers to scientifically evaluate the caliber of proposals.
• Applicant Communications
• : Communicate with nominators and applicants throughout the selection process, including soliciting nominations, requesting proposals and providing feedback.
• Selection and Assessment Coordination: Assist in the logistics of the selection process for potential awardees, including scheduling interviews and creating review materials.
• Community Support: Serve as a point of contact for the grantee network, ensuring they have the resources needed to attend convenings and submit reports.
• Event Logistics: Support the planning of convenings and workshops by developing relevant programming, managing RSVPs, travel logistics, and materials preparation.
• Awardee Publicity and Communications: Develop and coordinate public-facing resources to communicate our awardees’ research and impact, in partnership with science writers.
• Evaluation Support: Compile data and materials used in project and program evaluations, in partnership with program staff.
• Project and Programmatic Evaluation: Develop evaluation criteria in partnership with program staff, and execute comprehensive evaluation processes for projects and programs.
• Required Qualifications: Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, or a related field are preferred but not mandatory (if the candidate demonstrates strong technical literacy.)
• Experience: 2–3 years of relevant work experience. Experience in operations, consulting, project management, or knowledge of AI academic research is a plus.
• Technical Fluency: Comfort with modern office suites (Google Workspace/Microsoft Office) is required. Proficiency in Excel/Sheets (pivot tables, complex formulas) and/or Airtable is highly desired.
• Organizational Superpower: Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple timelines and complex administrative processes without letting things slip through the cracks.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear summaries.
• Dynamic and Proactive Personality: Successful candidates will be proven problem-solvers and self-starters.
• Content Knowledge and Interest: Demonstrated interest in artificial intelligence and computer science are required
• This is an exempt position.
• Schmidt Sciences, is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that proudly pursues and hires a diverse workforce. We do not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion or religious belief, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender-identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws or prohibited by Company policy. We strive for a healthy and safe workplace and strictly prohibit harassment of any kind.