Research Scientist

Eleos is hiring scientists to do foundational and applied machine learning research into the potential well-being and moral status of AI systems. You will work at the intersection of machine learning, cognitive science, and philosophy of mind, doing original, rigorous research to guide and inform decision-makers at frontier AI companies, policymakers, and the public.

ABOUT ELEOS At Eleos, we are working to understand and address the potential well-being of AI systems. We believe that it is possible that near-future AI systems could be sentient or possess other properties worthy of moral consideration. We also believe that research on AI well-being may be importantly relevant to AI safety research, and we see our work as part of the broader project of navigating the development of transformative AI to ensure a flourishing future for all.

We take a pragmatic approach, prioritizing ambitious but tractable projects. We are a nonprofit organization. WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Design and conduct empirical research on foundational topics relevant to the potential well-being and moral status of AI systems, such as LLM preferences and values https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.13339, the ability of LLMs to introspect https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.17120, persona vectors https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.17031, and the representation of valence in LLMs
• Design and conduct applied research on the potential well-being of frontier AI systems (e.g., our prerelease evaluations of Claude Mythos Preview https://www-cdn.anthropic.com/08ab9158070959f88f296514c21b7facce6f52bc.pdf#page=180)
• Collaborate with external researchers across the AI welfare and AI safety ecosystems on empirical and conceptual research projects
• Write papers and blog posts and present talks reporting your research WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR YOU MAY BE A GOOD FIT IF YOU HAVE:
• Strong interest in understanding the potential well-being of AI systems
• A track record of leading and publishing impactful empirical ML research
• The ability to design, run, and iterate on experiments quickly and creatively, including the engineering skills to implement necessary tooling and infrastructure STRONG CANDIDATES MAY ALSO HAVE:
• Familiarity with existing research on AI welfare and/or safety
• A PhD in computer science or the cognitive sciences
• Significant experience with mechanistic interpretability methods COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS We’re open to a wide variety of seniority levels for this role, with annual salary dependent on level ($201,634 to $428,982).

BENEFITS

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance: Employee premiums covered 100% by Eleos (and 75% of dependent premiums covered) - 401(k): Immediate vesting with 100% employer match up to 6% of salary
• Time off and leave: Unlimited paid time off; parental leave for new parents
• Our office: Catered meals; snacks and drinks; gym and shower; gorgeous views of the SF Bay Area
• Relocation support: Stipend for moving to the SF Bay Area
• Health and wellness benefits LOGISTICS LOCATION This role is based in our Berkeley office with the expectation that employees will work from the office at least 3 days per week. In future, we may hire Research Scientists in other locations or remotely; you’re welcome to submit this application to be considered for those roles if and when we are looking to fill them. WORK AUTHORIZATION This position is open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and individuals currently authorized to work in the U.S. We may be able to sponsor visas for this role, but it will depend on your particular situation. Eleos is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Eleos collects personal information from job applicants — including contact details, employment and education history, and application materials — through our applicant tracking system for the sole purpose of evaluating your application and communicating with you during the hiring process. We do not sell your personal information or use it for advertising. You have the right to request data deletion or correction; to exercise these rights, contact us at ops@eleosai.org. Unsuccessful applicants' data is retained for up to 24 months and then deleted. AI USAGE We may use technology-assisted tools, including artificial intelligence and automated systems, to support recruiting and hiring activities. These tools assist our hiring team in reviewing applications, matching qualifications to job requirements, and managing the recruitment process. Final hiring decisions are made by human decision-makers.