VC Associate @ Schmidt Sciences , NY

Schmidt Sciences is a nonprofit organization founded in 2024 by Eric and Wendy Schmidt that works to accelerate scientific knowledge and breakthroughs with the most promising, advanced tools to support a thriving planet. The organization prioritizes research in areas poised for impact including AI and advanced computing, astrophysics, biosciences, climate, and space—as well as supporting researchers in a variety of disciplines through its science systems program.

We approach this by identifying under-supported or unconventional areas of exploration and discovery in order to accelerate and deepen our understanding of the natural world and develop solutions to global issues. We seek ideas, people, and techniques across disciplines of science and technology to catalyze results for society. Our focus areas include AI and Advanced Computing, Astrophysics and Space, Biosciences, Climate, and Cross-Science programs.

At Schmidt Sciences, we support and develop ideas including talent programs for post-docs, exceptional mid-career polymath researchers, and interdisciplinary fellows; discipline specific virtual institutes on topics ranging from astrophysics to earth systems modeling to artificial intelligence; development of data platforms and scientific software to improve the way scientific research is done; and we explore new avenues to support scientific research that furthers our understanding of the world.

Reporting to the Director of the AI and Advanced Computing Institute at Schmidt Sciences (“Institute”), the Associate will join the growing Institute team to manage existing AI grantmaking programs and explore new AI programs.

This role would be responsible for the following elements of the Institute’s work. The specific work would be developed jointly by the Associate and their manager and may change from time to time.

Managing the AI at Work program (about 50% of the Associate’s focus)

This Is a New Grantmaking Program That Aims To Spur Exceptional Research Exploring How Adoption Of AI May Affect The Nature Of Work And The Operation Of The Labor Market. The Program Supports Both Descriptive Work That Gauges Causal Impacts, And Prescriptive Work That Field-tests The Design Of Tools, Training, And Policies That May Produce Desirable Outcomes. The Program Operates In Close Collaboration With Several External Sourcing Partners.

Responsibilities Include:

• Leading the strategy and execution of this program.
• Defining and evolving key research priorities for the program
• Engaging with the program’s partners
• Evaluating funding proposals received by the program
• Shapes and delivering communications about the program both to internal and external audiences

Exploring new grantmaking opportunities

The Institute Has 3-5 Explorations Ongoing At Any Given Time, Focused On Understanding The Highest And Best Use Of Philanthropy In Specific Areas Of AI, From Improving AI Itself (e.g., Making It More Interpretable) To Using AI To Advance Science.

Responsibilities Include:

• Identifies and assesses new areas of involvement in AI.
• Collaborates with small teams of external subject-matter experts and internal program scientists to explore specific program areas, through desk research, interviews, and workshops.
• Designs and implements workshops focused on new program exploration.
• Synthesizes research into proposals for how Schmidt Sciences should (or should not) advance its mission in various fields of AI.

• Oversees communications with awardee PIs and research teams to track progress and challenges faced over the duration of the award.
• Determines if additional or different kinds of support could be necessary or beneficial.
• Participates in the internal assessment process, including the analysis of incoming scientific proposals and reports in context of the current landscape.
• Analyzes the effectiveness and impact of current AI Institute programs, grants, and gifts, utilizing metrics and analysis to measure success and inform strategic decision-making.
• Optimizes budgets and financial resources associated with AI programs, monitoring expenditures and forecasting future…