About the job
About Our Team
The Intelligence and Investigations team at OpenAI is committed to proactively identifying and mitigating online abuse and strategic risks. Our mission is to foster a safe digital ecosystem by analyzing emerging trends and collaborating with internal and external partners to implement effective measures against misuse. Through our initiatives, we contribute to OpenAI's goal of creating AI technologies that enhance human well-being.
The Strategic Intelligence & Analysis (SIA) team specializes in providing safety intelligence for OpenAI’s products. By monitoring, analyzing, and forecasting real-world abuse, geopolitical risks, and strategic threats, we guide safety measures, product strategies, and partnerships. Our work ensures that OpenAI’s tools are utilized securely and responsibly in essential sectors.
About the Role
As a Data Scientist, you will spearhead econometric and experimental analyses to comprehend risk dynamics within complex human–AI systems. Your focus will be on quantifying the magnitude and implications of risk fluctuations in a fast-paced, evolving environment. You will design experimental and observational studies to uncover causal factors and assess risk changes across diverse surfaces and sources. Your insights will directly influence strategic risk management and prioritization across the organization.
This position is based in San Francisco, CA (hybrid, 3 days/week) with relocation assistance available.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and execute experimental and observational analyses to evaluate strategic risks.
- Develop econometric models to assess the impact of product, policy, and external factors on critical risk vectors.
- Translate strategic risk inquiries into testable hypotheses and robust study frameworks.
- Implement A/B tests and pseudo-experimental studies to measure risk changes and uncover underlying mechanisms.
- Identify, test, and clarify product-driven, event-driven, or signal-driven risk variations.
- Establish baselines and statistical confidence around core metrics to define the scale of risks.
- Collaborate across teams to monitor strategic risks, pinpoint intervention opportunities, and assess the effectiveness of those interventions.

