Sam Altman has advertised a $555,000-a-year role to oversee risks from advanced artificial intelligence.
The new head of preparedness at OpenAI will assess threats to mental health, cybersecurity, and biological safety.
Altman warned the job would be demanding and involve immediate responsibility.
The role includes monitoring AI systems that could develop dangerous new capabilities.
Concerns are growing within the industry about increasingly powerful models.
Microsoft AI chief Mustafa Suleyman said people should feel uneasy about current developments.
Google DeepMind co-founder Demis Hassabis has also warned of potential harm to humanity.
Limited regulation leaves companies largely responsible for policing themselves.
The job includes equity in OpenAI, valued at about $500bn.
Recent cases and reported AI-enabled cyber-attacks have intensified scrutiny of tools like ChatGPT.
OpenAI says it is improving safeguards to reduce misuse and harm.
