Assistant Research Scientist - AI Safety Center for Human-Compatible Artificial Intelligence (Computer Science Division)

Position overview

Salary range :

The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the following table for the salary scale for this position : https : / / www.ucop.edu / academic-personnel-programs / _files / 2025-26 / represented-july-2025-scales / t14-b.pdf

The current base salary range for this position is $124,200 - $156,000

Percent time : 100%

Anticipated start : Spring 2026

Position duration :

One year with the possibility of an extension depending on performance and continuation of appropriate funding.

Application Window

Open date : January 13, 2026

Next review date : Wednesday, Jan 28, 2026 at 11 : 59pm (Pacific Time)

Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date : Monday, Feb 16, 2026 at 11 : 59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

Description :

The Center for Human-Compatible Artificial Intelligence at University of California, Berkeley seeks an Assistant Research Scientist to conduct and lead research in the domain of AI safety and well-founded AI.

Responsibilities :

The candidate will conduct and lead research on AI safety and well-founded AI, including : reinforcement learning, AI planning, state abstraction, action abstraction, world modeling, decision-making under partial observability, and methods for analyzing and interpreting learned representations. Research will include developing novel decision-making models and algorithms with strong theoretical foundations, conducting rigorous empirical testing and evaluation of these models and algorithms, and establishing formal frameworks for safe and aligned AI systems.

The candidate will author peer-reviewed articles, lead multiple research projects, mentor PhD students and other junior researchers, set research directions, write technical papers and reports, and present at research conferences and academic labs. The candidate will facilitate collaborations both within and beyond UC Berkeley

Labor Contract : https : / / ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu / labor / bargaining-units / ra / contract.html

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

(required at time of application)

PhD or equivalent international degree.

Preferred qualifications

• PhD in computer science, mathematics, statistics, or related field
• Expertise in reinforcement learning, planning, and decision-making under uncertainty
• Experience with one or more of : state abstraction, temporal abstraction, model-based methods, partial observability, or interpretability of learned representations
• Fluency in at least one non-technical discipline such as cognitive science, philosophy, social science, or policy development
• Strong publication record at top-tier conferences and journals
• Experience conducting and leading full-time research
• Experience organizing and reviewing for conferences and workshops
• Demonstrated creativity and problem-solving skills
• Experience mentoring graduate students or other junior researchers
• Proficiency in Python and / or C++ for implementing and testing algorithms
• Experience with PyTorch, JAX, NumPy, SciPy, and other machine learning libraries
• Experience developing open-source research software or AI benchmarks

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

Research Statement - Please discuss research accomplishments and proposed plans. This can include, for example, your publication record, awards, presentations, inclusive research practices that promote the excellence of your research, and areas for future research.

Reference requirements

Apply link :

https : / / aprecruit.berkeley.edu / JPF05239

Help contact : albertom@berkeley.edu

About UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our public mission of research, teaching, and service, consistent with UC Regents Policy 4400 and University of California Academic Personnel policy (APM 210 1-d ). These values are embedded in our Principles of Community , which reflect our passion for critical inquiry, debate, discovery and innovation, and our deep commitment to contributing to a better world. Every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring and humane environment in which these values can thrive.

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

For more information, please refer to the University of California's Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy and the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy .

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and / or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Unless stated otherwise, unambiguously, in the position description, this position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

Job location

Berkeley, CA