About this role
Summary: Evaluate AI models for dual-use biological risks by running technical assessment pipelines, analyzing model behavior, and writing reports for regulators and partners. Requires a PhD in a biology-related field and strong strategic judgment on safety safeguards.
Senior Research Scientist, AI Biosecurity Assessments
Project/Division: AI, Applied Research
Start date: As soon as possible
Status: Full-time
Work location: Remote within US, with offices in Cambridge, MA and Berkeley, CA
Reports to: Head of Applied Research
The role
You will evaluate models for dual-use biological risks before they are released publicly, running technical assessment pipelines, analyzing model behavior, and writing the reports that inform relevant audiences of any risks identified.
Responsibilities
- Work with AI firms and internal research and engineering teams to carry out high quality, informative capability and safeguard assessments of emerging AI models.
- Execute evaluation pipelines, analyze data and identify how results align with relevant threat models and risk levels.
- Manually assess models for both willingness and knowledge across specialized domains of biology.
- Synthesize findings into clear evaluation reports, technical write-ups, and risk summaries for partners and regulatory bodies.
- Contribute to papers, reports, and trends in capabilities.
Qualifications
- A strong candidate would have the following qualifications
- A PhD in pathogen biology, microbiology, virology, or a closely related field. We will consider equivalent depth from other paths, but expect most strong applicants to hold a doctorate. Wet-lab experience is preferred.
- Strategic judgment about how evaluation results map onto real-world biological risk, and about where technical safeguards succeed and fail.
- Deep interest in safeguards and their failure modes, alongside contributory biological capabilities.
- Ability to turn complex technical results into clear, well-structured writing.
- Comfort with short, intensive project cycles and shifting priorities with emerging model releases.
Preferred
- Roughly a year of coding in an industry or graduate research setting, and working fluency in Python.
- Direct experience with the Inspect AI framework, or with building and evaluating LLM or agent systems more broadly.
- Familiarity with biosecurity policy, threat assessment, or counterterrorism work.
- Experience working with AI developers, or in a regulated or NDA-heavy environment.
About Company
Mission-driven international team dedicated to protecting the world from biological threats. Through in-house research and development and collaborations with experts across academia, industry, and government, we build the tools, technologies, and institutions the world needs to be secure against future biotechnology.
Benefits
Our employee benefits reflect our belief in investing to build the strongest possible team, in which everyone receives the trust and support they need to excel. Our benefits package includes:
Comprehensive healthcare coverage, including health, dental & vision insurance, as well as a yearly mental health allowance for every employee.
Flexible work hours; unlimited paid time off (PTO) for all employees; and minimum 12 weeks fully-paid parental leave.
Professional development opportunities, including fully-paid conference sponsorships and a yearly development allowance for every employee.
Employer 401(k) match up to salary.
Application process
We will review applications on a rolling basis, and are looking for someone to start as soon as possible.
After considering your written application, we may ask you to complete a short work test, and invite you to a screening interview. High-performing candidates may be invited to further interviews and/or paid trial tasks. We will also require up to two reference checks.
We’re committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, and we encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. We especially encourage applications from women, gender minorities, and people of color who are excited about contributing to our mission, and are happy to consider applicants from overseas. We’re an equal opportunity employer.