AI Science Advisor to the California Department of Technology (Closed)

Update 6/4/2026: This position is no longer accepting applications.

Overview

The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization that exists to make California’s policies stronger with science and technology. As part of its program portfolio, CCST offers science residency opportunities placing technical experts in state government.

CCST is advertising for a Science Advisor to be placed in the California Department of Technology (CDT). This position will support evidence-based decision-making at the highest levels of California’s AI adoption and governance efforts and inform the implementation of nation-leading AI safety and transparency legislation. A Science Advisor is the most senior level of embedded technical expert in state government. More junior roles in the AI Science Residency Program will be advertised shortly.

Modeled after the position of Science Advisor to the President via the White House Office of Science Technology Policy (OSTP), the Science Advisor will support and advise CDT on AI policy, safety, governance, and adoption issues. The Science Advisor will work with science and technology leads from within and beyond the State government. This position builds upon the depth and breadth of science and technology expertise within the placement office. The Science Advisor also helps to support executive-level efforts on cross-cutting issues by drawing upon an independent science perspective from external expertise when appropriate.

This position will be formally employed by the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) – a non-partisan, nonprofit organization established by the Legislature in 1988 with the goal of connecting leading experts in science and technology with California state policymakers – and placed in CDT on a full-time basis via a formal memorandum of understanding between CCST and the placement office. The Science Advisor will be part of the placement office’s senior staff and participate in senior staff meetings.

Description of Responsibilities

The Science Advisor to CDT will serve as technical advisor on state-level AI policy and governance issues, in particular, recent California legislation relating to AI safety, transparency, catastrophic risk management, critical safety incidents, and other AI policy issues. It is critical that the Science Advisor be highly regarded and trusted as an honest broker by leaders from industry, academia, communities, and the public sector.

This position requires an ability to exercise a broad range of knowledge on technical, executive management, political, and governmental issues. The Science Advisor must also be adept at communicating complex ideas in a clear and concise manner and be well-versed in diplomacy. Success in this position will depend greatly on the Science Advisor’s ability to build and maintain partnerships across the breadth of disciplines and communities represented by CDT.

CCST Director of Science, Eric Chu ([email protected]), is available to respond to any questions on the scope of responsibilities.

Key responsibilities of the Science Advisor include:

• Advise on technological developments, scientific literature, and widely accepted national and international standards related to frontier AI safety, risk management, models, developers, and relevant thresholds, as outlined in recent California AI safety legislation.
• Respond to requests from CDT to summarize, synthesize, and advise on quantitative and qualitative analysis of stakeholder input received from public input channel, per recent California AI safety legislation.
• Respond to requests from CDT to contribute to the development of a report including providing written content to the State Legislature with findings and recommendations.
• Support CDT Executive leadership and staff through connecting and coordinating with AI governance leads across internal offices and divisions.

Additional responsibilities of the Science Advisor may include:

• Respond to requests from CDT leadership team for information, analysis, evaluation, advice, or execution support related to AI adoption, governance, safety, and security.
• In consultation with CDT, solicit information and ideas from, and where applicable support coordination with, a broad range of experts, including but not limited to state agencies, the academic research community, the private sector, federal research facilities and laboratories, foundations, Native American Tribes, community groups, and nonprofit organizations.
• Assist in convening policymakers among executive branch agencies and relevant technical and scientific experts on cross-cutting AI adoption, governance and safety issues.
• Serve as a CDT point-of-contact for technical groups in the state related to AI adoption or governance, as appropriate.
• Identify critical emerging AI adoption and/or governance opportunities or challenges that may be of concern to CDT.
• Support CDT’s efforts to responsibly and ethically leverage AI to modernize government service delivery.

Within CDT, this position is expected to report directly to Vera Zakem, State Chief Technology Innovation Officer, and collaborate with other senior leaders at CDT and the State of California, and the CEO (or delegate) of CCST.

The Science Advisor will collaborate extensively with staff across all levels at CDT, CCST staff and Science & Technology Policy Fellows, and different state, tribal, community, academic, and industry partners.

Position Requirements

The Science Advisor must have exceptional expertise and demonstrated experience at the intersection of AI science, technology, and policy. The position demands a high degree of credibility, diplomacy, and political acumen, strong integrity, and an ability to serve as a trusted honest broker at the nexus of multiple partnership networks. To be effective, the Science Advisor must be well-connected to an extensive network of interdisciplinary expertise from the AI science and innovation community within and beyond California. CCST provides a ready and extensive network of support that could be deployed in service of the Science Advisor similar to the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST).

The Science Advisor shall be subject to the California Political Reform Act, including the requirement to submit a Statement of Economic Interest, and shall abide By CDT’s Incompatible Activities Statement and all associated Personnel Policies. Records created in the Science Advisor’s capacity as CDT Advisor will be subject to the California Public Records Act.

The Science Advisor must be willing and available to serve full-time in CDT for at least 1 year, with an ideal start date of May 2026.

Preferred qualifications:

• PhD degree (or equivalent experience) in an AI-related discipline AND multiple years cross-cutting experience in multiple topics covering frontier AI, AI foundation models, AI safety and safety incidents, AI standards, AI risks, risk assessments, and risk mitigation, AI transparency, AI accountability, cybersecurity, and AI system monitoring.
• Experience developing, training and deploying AI frontier models within governmental environments.
• At least 10 years of professional experience in technology, preferably with at least 2 years of experience specific to AI, in the public, private, non-profit, or academic sectors.
• Widely recognized in one or multiple scientific disciplines by peers in AI development and/or governance.
• A broad understanding of and curiosity for other science and technology fields, disciplines, and industries related to AI policy and governance.
• Demonstrated experience in public policy, especially California policy and state legislative priorities, as well as AI adoption, policy, and governance.
• Strong commitment to partnership and collaboration, including across sectors, scientific disciplines, and regions, with ability to independently drive work streams.
• A high degree of accountability, including recognized ability to manage a project transparently and meet multiple deadlines by organizing, prioritizing, and planning work. Must be able to use sound judgment in responding to issues and concerns.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, critical and analytic thinking skills, and ability to synthesize information to reach diverse audiences and build consensus.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and commitment to continuous learning and collaboration, with ability to work as a team member, as well as ability to work in a remote or virtual environment as necessary.

Desired qualities:

• Current or recent affiliation with an accredited academic institution, research center or laboratory, a government agency, or non-partisan nonprofit or think tank.
• Prior experience in the AI industry.
• Ability to travel to Sacramento on as needed basis for in-person meetings.

Salary

We expect the salary range to be between $190,000 and $220,000 annually, dependent on expertise and experience. The range can be extended for exceptional candidates.

As an employee of CCST, this position will be eligible for CCST’s comprehensive benefits package. CCST’s benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage for you and eligible family members; opportunity to participate in CCST’s 403b retirement plan; relocation assistance; paid holidays; time off for vacation, sick, and volunteer service; and group life coverage. CCST is driven by a nonprofit vision, inviting you to contribute meaningfully to building the future, making a positive impact every day, and fostering personal and career growth in a supportive work environment.

Candidates may also qualify for an interjurisdictional employee exchange (IJE), allowing them to maintain a closer affiliation with their current institution.

Location

Anywhere in California (remote/hybrid with occasional travel to Sacramento), with reimbursements for travel to Sacramento available.

The Science Advisor must be physically based in California. The position requires close collaboration with CDT. The position can be done remotely with occasional travel to Sacramento. Assistance with covering eligible relocation costs to the Sacramento region or travel expenses to Sacramento are available if needed.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work full-time in the United States as a U.S. citizen or national, asylee, refugee, lawful permanent resident, or other holders of Employment Authorization Documents. CCST will not sponsor a work visa.

To Apply

Apply for this position by submitting a cover letter and CV through our online portal, including names and contact information of 3 professional references.

URL: https://www.tfaforms.com/5217955

The cover letter should explain:

• Interest in the position and placement office
• Degree and years of experience in relevant fields and positions
• Fit between the candidate’s skills and the desired qualifications (including examples from prior experience)

Please consider answering the voluntary questions on demographic data and where you learned about this position – this information helps us understand how we can continue to improve our recruitment processes to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workforce.

The California Council on Science and Technology is an equal opportunity employer. We make hiring decisions based on qualifications, merit, and our organization’s business needs. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy, or any such status protected under federal, state, or local law.

For additional information about the opportunity, please contact CCST Director of Science, Eric Chu ([email protected]). All applications and inquiries will receive a response and be kept strictly confidential.

Application Deadline

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Timely applications are strongly encouraged.

Apply

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About CCST
The California Council on Science and Technology is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization established via the California State Legislature in 1988. Modeled on the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM), CCST is a unique, impartial resource for science and policy partnerships with California policymakers, such as those within the Governor’s Office, Agencies, and the Legislature. As a trusted advisor, CCST strengthens and informs California policy with scientific knowledge and innovation across technology, physical sciences, life sciences, and social sciences. This helps improve the lives of Californians, ensures the state remains a leader in technology and innovation, and guides global progress towards a healthy economy, society, and environment.

About CDT
The California Department of Technology (CDT) leads the state’s drive to deliver clear, fast, dependable, and equitable public services. It provides for the delivery of digital government services through the oversight of statewide IT strategic planning, project delivery, procurement, policy and standards, and enterprise architecture.

CDT is tasked with securing statewide information assets by providing oversight and infrastructure for many state departments and serves as the custodian of information for mission-critical and essential business applications. Home to the State Data Center, CDT provides infrastructure services for government customers that include on-premises and cloud-based services.

CDT is leading statewide broadband planning and execution to deliver digital equity and reliability for all Californians. The Director of CDT is also the State Chief Information Officer (CIO), and advises the Governor on the strategic management and direction of the state’s IT resources and policies.