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ALIGN Volunteer Staff: Call for Applications

The AI Alignment Network (ALIGN) is looking for volunteer staff. If you share our aim of “a hopeful future for AI and humanity” and would like to help our community grow, we would be glad to hear from you.

About ALIGN

The AI Alignment Network (ALIGN) is a nonprofit general incorporated association founded in September 2023 to “build a research network that leads the future of AI and humanity.” After about six months of preparation, since around April 2024 we have been working in earnest in three areas: research, community building, and outreach.

What you would do

• Events: helping to plan and run webinars, study groups, and symposia
• Community: supporting community activities online and offline
• Communications: running our social media and helping to prepare newsletters
• Research and writing: writing event reports, following developments in the field, and helping to prepare reports
• Website: updating content and providing technical support
• Operations: hands-on work running a general incorporated association, or advice from those with experience

Who we are looking for

• University students, graduate students, early-career researchers, and working professionals who are interested in the technical, ethical, or social sides of AI alignment, AI safety, or AI governance, and who would like to work with leading researchers through our activities.
• People with management or operations experience in companies or nonprofits who would like to put that experience to work in running ALIGN.
• People with experience in research support or administration at universities, companies, or other research institutions who would like to take part in research support and community building by a nonprofit.
• People interested in ALIGN who have experience in law, accounting, tax, design, event management, or community management and would like to contribute pro bono.

Requirements

• You understand, or are keenly interested in, both the potential of AI and the seriousness of its risks.

• You are comfortable taking on a wide range of tasks flexibly while our activities are expanding.

• Your mindset matches the values ALIGN holds:

  • Dialogue and trust: engaging in dialogue with a wide range of stakeholders, respecting the autonomy of people from other fields and positions, and building mutual trust.
  • Inclusiveness: embracing diverse cultural backgrounds, values, and positions.
  • Agility: responding quickly to rapidly advancing developments in AI.
  • Effectiveness: valuing rational and evidence-based methods and seeking the most effective means possible.
  • Hope: keeping a distance from excessive pessimism and taking hope as our keynote.

• You have basic office and IT skills.

• (Preferred) You can take part on an ongoing basis for at least 3–4 hours a week.

• (A plus) You can communicate in English.

What you will gain

• Up-to-date knowledge of AI alignment and AI safety
• Opportunities to network with researchers and practitioners in Japan and abroad
• Experience in running a nonprofit and in international activities
• A chance to contribute to the future of AI and society

How we work together

• We decide what you will work on and how often through discussion, taking into account your wishes and your experience.
• Depending on your wishes, your circumstances, and ALIGN’s finances, we may discuss a paid staff role of about one or two days a week.

How to apply

Please apply through our Contact form. In the “Message / 内容” field, please include:

1. Your name
2. Your current affiliation
3. Social media or other accounts (if any)
4. Your experience so far (about 50–200 words)
5. What you would like to do at ALIGN (about 200 words)
6. How much time you could give over the next month (a rough estimate, such as hours per week)
7. What got you interested in AI alignment or AI safety (optional)

Selection process

• Document screening: depending on the number of applications, we may decline some at this stage.
• Online interview: we talk about how you would take part and whether your wishes fit our activities, and then you start.
• Start of activities

We look forward to your application.

Personal information you provide will be strictly protected in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

ALIGN will also recruit staff and volunteers for various other roles. We will post specific openings on this page, but if you are interested in working with ALIGN, please let us know at any time through our Contact form.