# Labs source playbook

## Where to look

- AI research labs (commercial and independent)
- University-adjacent labs with public hiring
- ML systems groups
- Robotics labs
- HCI / interface labs
- Research engineer job postings on lab career pages

Examples to search: `{lab name} research engineer`, `applied AI lab careers`, `robotics lab software`.

## Filter for

- Labs doing invention, not just product polish
- Research engineer or engineering-adjacent roles
- Public papers, demos, or open-source that show real technical work
- Teams where a fast builder could contribute to prototypes

## Workflow

1. Identify lab or research group — read recent public output.
2. Score research_energy and technical_ambition highly if warranted.
3. **`scripts/new_company.py`** (use lab name as company name).
4. Find PI, research engineer, or lab manager — **`scripts/new_contact.py`**.
5. **`scripts/new_lead.py`** if a specific research engineer role is posted.

## Do not

- Confuse academic prestige with fit for Ryan's builder profile
- Apply to pure PhD-track roles without engineering path
- Invent lab contact emails