IFMAssociate, Strategic Projects
AI in this role
About the Institute of Foundation Models
We are a dedicated research lab for building, understanding, using, and risk-managing foundation models. Our mandate is to advance research, nurture the next generation of AI builders, and drive transformative contributions to a knowledge-driven economy.
As part of our team, you'll work at the intersection of frontier AI research and real-world impact, alongside world-class researchers, engineers, and business leaders. You will help shape how groundbreaking AI models are positioned, partnered, and deployed across industries, contributing to establishing MBZUAI as a global hub for foundation model development and adoption.
The Role
As an Associate on the Strategic Projects team, you will help turn IFM's frontier AI models into real-world impact. You will work on the institute's highest-priority initiatives, including strategy, commercial and go-to-market, partnerships, and operational programs. You will move fluidly between analysis, execution, and stakeholder engagement. The role suits a versatile, hands-on profile who blends strategy, business, technology, and operations skills, and who takes full ownership from problem definition to delivery.
How we rate this
Associate, Strategic Projects at IFM rates 62 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Works on AI (AI Level 3 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.
Works on AI. The daily work is on AI products, without building the model.
- ●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
- ●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
- ●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
- ●○○○ Little AI0 to 39
Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Open the description and count.
Prepare for this job
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Skills and AI tools this role asks for
Questions you could be asked
- Tell me about a research question you investigated. What did you find?
- Describe a typical day in a role like this one: which parts run through AI directly?
- If you removed AI from this role, what would be left, and how do you decide what still needs a human?
Adapt your resume
- List these exact terms on your resume: AI Research. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
- Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them — a tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.
- Show where AI is part of your daily process, not a one-off project — this role expects it to be a running habit.
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