Surprising lessons from my research scientist job search
a day ago
- #job search
- #AI safety
- #research scientist
- Only one or two papers typically matter during a job search, primarily for getting a foot in the door or deep dives during interviews.
- Interview rounds can be very diverse, including system design, parallel programming, and AI agent usage evaluations, beyond just LeetCode or behavioral questions.
- Work trials, which involve working on a task with a team for up to a week, are becoming more common and can disrupt interview preparation schedules.
- Timing is crucial in the job market, affecting opportunities based on viral work, research trends, headcounts, and exploding offers.
- Return offers for research roles are rare compared to software engineering, often dependent on headcount and team fit, even after internships or fellowships.
- Many interviews may not be directly related to your specific research topic, with a focus on general AI research fundamentals rather than niche areas like AI safety.