Research Affiliates Program

About the program

Research Affiliates pursue their own research directions for reducing risks of astronomical suffering (s-risks), with CLR’s funding, affiliation, and research community.

We’re particularly interested in Affiliates working on:

• New research agendas that fall outside CLR’s current focus areas, and other high-upside research bets that need time to develop.
• Automating or accelerating conceptual research.
• Topics adjacent to our core agendas where the Affiliate has strong independent views or expertise.

Affiliates set their own research focus, working hours, and collaborations, with light-touch quarterly reviews.

Who we're looking for

The program is for researchers who can make substantive progress without close supervision and who would benefit from a community of peers working on related questions.

Applicants should already be familiar with CLR's path to impact and have a developed view on how their proposed research would contribute. If you're new to this work, we recommend our Fundamentals Program before expressing interest in an affiliation. Participation is not required, but we expect comparable background knowledge.

We look for researchers who can identify promising questions and pursue them independently. Applicants should have a substantive research direction in mind and examples of relevant work demonstrating research judgement, careful reasoning, and clear communication.

Support

Affiliates receive:

• Regular research discussions and presentations with other Affiliates, CLR staff, and the broader research community.
• Desk space in London, UK, or funding for local co-working space for remote Affiliates, agreed on a case-by-case basis.
• Access to a research manager for coaching and feedback.
• Support for research-related travel, including conferences and research retreats.
• Budgets for professional development and health and wellbeing.

Terms

Affiliates are employed by CLR on one-year contracts, renewable by mutual agreement. We’re open to part-time, full-time, and split affiliations with other organisations.

We prefer Affiliates to be based in London or the San Francisco Bay Area, though we also consider remote Affiliates elsewhere. We can sponsor UK visas in most cases and support relocation.

Expressing interest

If you'd like to be considered as a future Affiliate, tell us about yourself and your research.

We read submissions periodically rather than replying to each one, and may get in touch when we're next inviting Affiliates.

Express interest

Further details

Location and remote working

Remote arrangements depend on our ability to employ you in your country of residence. Regular overlap with UK working hours is not required, but Affiliates should be available for occasional calls with UK-based staff.

Part-time work and other affiliations

We consider Affiliates who retain another institutional affiliation. We particularly welcome commitments of at least one quarter of full-time hours, though we have no fixed minimum.

Funding and expenses

Affiliates receive a salary, pro-rated for part-time work and adjusted for location and personal circumstances. CLR also covers work-related expenses.

Progress reviews and renewal

Affiliates submit a quarterly report on their progress and plans, followed by a discussion and written feedback. Contract renewal depends on the quality and contribution of their research output.