AI Risk Specialist - AI Safety Institute, Executive Level 1, Technology & Digital Policy

Department of Industry, Science and Resources; City of Hobart; Hybrid; AUD 122,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency is seeking a candidate to support AI safety governance in Australia. You'll provide actionable advice across government and work collaboratively with international partners to ensure safe AI practices. Ideal candidates will have experience in AI safety, strong communication skills, and the ability to synthesize complex research. This role is crucial in shaping future AI safety standards in Australia, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to national and global standards.

Qualifications

• Experience working in AI safety, security or governance.
• Demonstrable knowledge of AI governance matters.
• Extremely strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice on AI safety governance matters.
• Translate AI safety research into actionable insights.
• Represent Australia in international AI safety collaborations.

Skills

Experience in AI safety or governance

Knowledge of AI governance methodologies

Strong written and verbal communication

Experience working collaboratively

Ability to manage competing priorities

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Job description

Locations

Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, Hobart, Darwin

Application Close

Applications close 18 January 2026

Salary

The salary range for this role is $122,235 to $129,811

About The Department

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources and our broader portfolio are integral to the Australian Government’s economic agenda. Our purpose is to help the government build a better future for all Australians through enabling a productive, resilient and sustainable economy, enriched by science and technology. We do this by:

• Growing innovative & competitive businesses, industries and regions
• Investing in science and technology
• Strengthening the resources sector.

The APS and the department offer a clear direction and meaningful work. You will be able to create positive impact in people’s lives whilst contributing to improved outcomes for Australia and our people.

If you would like to feel a strong connection to your work and you are accountable, committed and open to change, join us in shaping Australia’s future.

Please see the APSC’s APS Employee Value Proposition for more information on the benefits and value of employment within the APS.

About The Team

About the AI Safety Institute

The Australian Government is establishing an Australian AI Safety Institute (AISI) to support the Government’s ongoing response to emerging risks and harms associated with AI technologies. The AISI will be the government’s hub of AI safety expertise, operating with transparency, responsiveness and technical rigour. The AISI will conduct technical assessments, support coordinated government action, foster international engagement on AI safety, and publish research to inform industry, academia and the Australian people.

About The Division

The AISI is part of the department’s Technology and Digital Policy Division. The division is responsible for providing policy advice to government, delivering programs and engaging domestically and internationally on enabling and critical technologies as well as the digitisation of the economy.

The division’s priorities include implementing the National AI Plan, providing advice on the safe and responsible use of AI, robotics and automation, the role of critical technologies to support economic security, data policy and emerging digital economy issues.

The opportunity

We’re building a motivated and capable team who will be defining the AISI’s future. As a founding member of the team, you will help shape how Australia monitors, tests and governs AI. You will assess risks from frontier models, including CBRN misuse, enhanced cyber capabilities, loss-of-control scenarios, information integrity and influence risks, and broader systemic risks arising from the deployment of increasingly capable general-purpose AI systems. This is a unique opportunity to work at the frontier of AI, collaborate with domestic and international experts to shape emerging global AI safety standards and help keep Australians safe from AI-related risks and harms.

You’ll have the opportunity to drive positive change, contribute to impactful projects, and develop your expertise in a rapidly evolving field.

Our ideal candidate

• Experience working in AI safety, security or governance in industry, academia, government or independently.
• Demonstrable knowledge of technical AI governance matters, including, for example, general-purpose AI risk assessment methodologies, scenario-based risk modelling, governance and control protocols, system-level safeguards and risk mitigation strategies.
• Demonstrated experience synthesising technical AI safety research into actionable guidance for decision-makers.
• A broad understanding of LLMs and the technical drivers that shape their behaviour, safety properties and risk profiles.
• Extremely strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively and effectively with diverse stakeholders, including government, industry, academia and civil society.
• Experience managing competing priorities, coordinating multiple complex work streams, and delivering high-quality outputs under time pressure in a dynamic environment.

Our department has a commitment to inclusion and diversity, with an ambition of being the best possible place to work. This reflects the importance we place on our people and on creating a workplace culture where every one of us is valued and respected for our contribution. Our ideal candidate adds to this culture and our workplace in their own way.

What you will do

• Provide technically grounded written and verbal advice across government on AI safety governance matters, including, for example, the application of general-purpose AI risk assessment methodologies and mitigation strategies.
• Translate technical AI safety research and empirical evaluation results into actionable insights for policymakers and regulators.
• Monitor frontier AI developments, capabilities, emerging risks and trends.
• Collaborate with domestic and international partners across governments, industry, civil society and academia to strengthen AI safety governance practices.
• Represent Australia in international AI safety governance collaborations.
• Take ownership in building the culture and reputation of the AISI.

Eligibility

Positions require the ability to obtain a minimum baseline security clearance, and the ability to obtain higher security clearance as required.

To be eligible for employment in the APS and the department, candidates must be Australian Citizens.

Notes

Please provide a CV of up to 2 pages (or up to 4 pages if including a list of publications).

Bachelor's degree or equivalent degree in relevant field of study is highly desirable.

A merit pool may be established and used to fill future vacancies within 18 months from the date the vacancy was first advertised in the Gazette.

The department does currently offer flexible work opportunities for many roles. This vacancy is based Australia-wide, although flexible or remote work arrangements may be considered. Please reach out to the contact officer to discuss this further.

Application information

Your application must not contain any classified or sensitive information. This includes in your application responses, CV and any other documents. The selection panel may not consider applications containing classified information.

Please provide a pitch explaining how your skills, knowledge and experience will be relevant to this role and why you are the best candidate for the position. Your pitch can contain no more than 750 words and should align to the key duties listed above.

Please complete your application online and provide your current CV with your application. (CVs must be in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format).

Accessible application documentation is available in other formats on request. Please contact [e-mail] or [phone] if you require assistance with your application.

Please refer to our Applying for a position information for additional information on how to apply.

Contact Information

For more information regarding this opportunity, please contact Bill Black on 02 6102 9885 or via email on [e-mail]