Why AI safety researchers should consider a contract research manager position (www.lesswrong.com)

In a thought-provoking post, a technical AI safety researcher advocates for fellow researchers to consider contract research manager (RM) positions, particularly within AI safety fellowships. The author argues that spending three months in an RM role could offer significant advantages over continuing solo research. This perspective is particularly relevant given the current bottleneck in the AI safety field, where demand for skilled research managers is high. By engaging in RM, researchers can enhance their skills, build important career capital, and expand their professional networks, which are crucial for long-term career development in AI safety. The post outlines key benefits of the RM path, suggesting that this role can produce direct value for the AI safety community while potentially accelerating individual research careers. The author notes that while managing others may detract from independent research agendas, the counterfactual impact of RMs could be greater, addressing a pressing need in the field. Ultimately, the discussion invites AI safety researchers to rethink their career trajectories and consider the strategic benefits of entering management roles, highlighting the potential for important contributions to the community alongside personal career growth.