Research Counsel
Research Counsel advises AI research and data teams on copyright, privacy, licensing, regulatory, and research-governance issues across the model lifecycle. The role requires a JD, U.S. state bar membership, strong technical fluency, and at least eight years of relevant legal experience.
About the job
Responsibilities
- Advise research and data teams on data sourcing, licensing, partnerships, and use; help shape data acquisition and use strategy.
- Coordinate regulatory readiness and model launches; review model documentation and system cards, respond to regulatory inquiries, and advise on pre-release and internal models.
- Support Responsible Scaling Policy work involving biological and chemical risk, capability evaluations, tiered access for biosecurity researchers, and dual-use research.
- Counsel research teams on research design, data collection and sharing, external collaborations, program launches, and publication review.
- Monitor global AI, privacy, copyright, and export-control developments and translate them into practical guidance and policy.
- Engage with academics, regulators, industry groups, and civil society to develop norms and best practices for responsible AI development and data governance.
Requirements
- JD and active membership in at least one U.S. state bar; California or New York preferred.
- Practical, creative problem-solving ability in fast-changing, deeply technical environments.
- Exceptional communication, analytical, and technical-fluency skills.
- Ability to navigate ambiguous legal issues and translate complex technical and legal analysis into actionable advice.
- Familiarity with the EU AI Act, U.S. legislation and AI frameworks, GDPR, CCPA, and comparable global regimes.
- Sound judgment, comfort making high-stakes decisions in unsettled areas, and a collaborative, low-ego approach.
Preferred Qualifications
- At least 8 years of legal experience advising technology companies on copyright, privacy, data, AI regulation, and related product and policy issues.
- In-house experience and experience with AI/ML products or services.
- Experience engaging directly with regulators or standards bodies.
- Technical literacy regarding model training, evaluation, and deployment.
- Academic or publishing background, or experience with copyright, open source, and data licensing.
- Experience with biosecurity, dual-use research, export controls, or safety frameworks.
- Experience advising on academic or industry research, publications, external collaborations, data sharing, human subjects, or consent.
Compensation
- Annual salary: $265,000–$335,000 USD.
- Hybrid policy: preference for working from the San Francisco or New York office at least 3 days per week; staff are generally expected to work from an office at least 25% of the time.
Skills
Copyright, Privacy, Data Licensing, Ai Regulation, Eu Ai Act, GDPR, CCPA, Export Controls, Machine Learning, Model Evaluation, Model Deployment, Open Source, Biosecurity, Responsible Scaling Policy
Similar jobs
Legal jobs
Anthropic
San Francisco, CAProvides first-line legal counsel on AI safety, security, trust and safety policies, investigations, escalations, and incidents. The role requires a JD, U.S. bar membership, high-stakes legal experience, technical fluency, and strong judgment under uncertainty.
Anthropic
San Francisco, CALeads Anthropic’s global economic sanctions compliance program, overseeing strategy, risk governance, screening controls, regulatory matters, export-controls coordination, and team development. Requires 10+ years of sanctions compliance experience, senior leadership reporting, and working knowledge of US export controls.
Pearl Health
New York, NYThe Deputy General Counsel will advise a healthcare technology company on regulatory compliance, transactions, risk, and product strategy while building scalable legal processes. The role requires a J.D., U.S. bar admission, and at least seven years of healthcare legal experience.
Monarch
United States
Provides strategic commercial and corporate legal support, negotiating complex agreements and translating legal issues into practical business guidance. Requires 8+ years of relevant experience, bar admission or in-house eligibility, and strong communication and research skills.
Anthropic
Washington, DC
Leads policy governing access to sensitive cyber-relevant AI capabilities, aligning safeguards with regulatory standards and representing Anthropic before government stakeholders. Requires extensive cybersecurity policy experience, government engagement, and the ability to interpret technical security material.