Hybrid Policy Advisor, AI & Science

at CertKOR AI

• Job title: Policy Advisor, AI & Science
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Junior, Mid level
• Salary: Not specified
• Degree requirement: Postgraduate Degree
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Montreal, Canada

About the role

• Policy Advisor specializing in AI governance and policy development at Mila. Bridging technical AI research with policy implications and government relations.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that all policy positions are scientifically and technically sound.
• Objective: Serve as a bridge between the policy team and the scientific community, maintaining direct liaison with researchers at Mila and other labs.
• Specialization: Analyze the policy implications of new technical breakthroughs, evaluate technical claims from industry, and assess risks associated with frontier AI (e.g., safety, alignment, misuse).
• Main task: Manage the "what" of our policy work—ensure our recommendations on AI safety, technical standards and risk governance are credible, evidence-based, and at the cutting edge of the field.
• Act as a key policy advisor to Professor Bengio, providing clear, concise, and actionable briefing notes on complex AI policy issues, risks, and opportunities.
• Help implement an overall strategic policy plan aligned with the mission of Professor Bengio’s office, Mila, and LawZero.
• Translate high-level academic and ethical principles into concrete policy positions, actionable legislative proposals, and public awareness campaigns.
• Proactively build and maintain trusted relationships with key policy makers, elected officials, and senior public servants engaged on AI.
• Prepare comprehensive briefing materials, talking points, and key messages for Professor Bengio’s policy engagements.
• Represent the office in high-level policy meetings, public consultations, and multi-stakeholder roundtables, which requires significant international travel (approximately 30% of working time) to accompany Professor Bengio or for other individual engagements.
• Forge and maintain a strong coalition of partners, including academic institutions and civil society organizations.
• Monitor and analyze legislative and regulatory developments.
• Draft a wide range of high-impact policy communications, including white papers, opinion pieces, public submissions, presentations, reports, and internal memos.
• Synthesize complex research and technical concepts into clear, compelling, and accessible narratives for policy makers and the public.
• Identify and proactively create opportunities for policy impact, such as securing speaking engagements and participating in key consultations.
• Collaborate with communications teams at Mila and other partner organizations to ensure all external messaging is aligned and impactful.

Requirements

• Education: A graduate degree (Master’s or, preferably, a PhD) in an AI-related field (e.g., machine learning, computer science, statistics, NLP, or a related quantitative discipline).
• Experience: 2+ years in a role that actively bridges deep technical AI research and policy, ethics, or governance.
• Expertise: Deep, firsthand knowledge of the technical AI landscape, including model architectures, capabilities, frontier safety research, and alignment challenges. Must be able to "read the papers" and translate their implications.
• Communication: A rare ability to explain highly technical concepts to non-technical policy makers and legal specialists.
• Mission fit: Strong, demonstrable commitment to ensuring AI is developed and deployed for the benefit of all humanity.
• Communication skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with proven ability to translate very complex topics for diverse audiences.
• Proactivity and judgement: Highly proactive, strategic, and initiative-driven mindset. Must possess outstanding political sensitivity, sound judgement, and the ability to operate with discretion in a high-stakes environment.
• Collaboration: A trust-based approach with a proven ability to collaborate effectively within a fast-paced team.
• Language: Professional proficiency in English; French is a plus.

Benefits

• The opportunity to contribute to a unique mission with significant impact;
• A comprehensive group benefits plan (health, dental, disability, life, travel insurance and supplemental coverages);
• An employee and family assistance program;
• Access to a telemedicine service;
• A vacation policy providing a base of 20 days of annual leave starting at hire;
• A retirement savings plan with a minimum employer contribution of 4%;
• A generous flexible benefits allowance that lets you personalize your benefits to support your well-being. You can choose and combine options that suit your needs from lifestyle credits, enhanced insurance, additional vacation days and an enhanced retirement contribution;
• Flexible hours, a summer schedule and the ability to work remotely;
• A workplace located in the heart of Little Italy, in the trendy Mile-Ex neighbourhood, close to public transit;
• A team of field experts — passionate and engaging people;
• A collaborative and inclusive work environment.