Principal Biology Specialist

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Texas.

📋 Description

• Lead a specialized domain pod that supports a pioneering AI research and safety organization.

• Serve as the ultimate escalation authority for ambiguous, high-stakes cases, intricate customer appeals, and potential severe biological threat activities.

• Set standards to differentiate between legitimate scientific inquiry and catastrophic biological misuse.

• Assess the sourcing and acquisition of select agents and toxins, genetic modifications, scaled culturing and synthesis, formulation, weaponization, and aerosolization or dispersion mechanisms.

• Provide peer-reviewed ground-truth labels to validate, assess, and optimize automated AI safety and refusal classifiers.

• Enhance investigative playbooks and labeling taxonomies in accordance with international biological conventions and US Select Agent regulations.

• Counsel client policy leadership on the evolving capabilities in biotechnology.

• Provide technical direction and mentorship to Senior and Junior Biology Specialists.

• Oversee review calibration and quality assurance protocols within the pod.

• Draft risk memos and executive briefings for client biosecurity leaders regarding emerging biological risk vectors and dual-use boundaries.

⛳️ Requirements

• Advanced Degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in Microbiology, Virology, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Synthetic Biology, Biosecurity, or a directly related life sciences field.

• Over 9 years of professional experience in biodefense, biosecurity policy, public health threat surveillance, biosafety (BSL-3/BSL-4 operations), or specialized CBRN analysis.

• Exceptional fluency in life-science research protocols and the capability to distinguish legitimate academic workflows from illicit, actionable weaponization pathways.

• Extensive knowledge of national and international biosecurity frameworks, including the Federal Select Agent Program, GDM, BWC, and export control regimes.

• Proven history of technically leading a team of scientists, analysts, or intelligence specialists in high-pressure environments.

• Outstanding ability to convey complex microbiological principles and risk assessments to technical engineers, policy teams, and client executives.

• Must be based in the United States with unrestricted work authorization.

• Selected candidates might undergo client-directed insider threat screenings, background checks, and credential verification.

• Prior experience with DoD/DTRA, HHS/ASPR/BARDA, CDC, USAMRIID, or the Intelligence Community (IC) is preferred.

• An active or recent U.S. Government Security Clearance (Secret / Top Secret) is advantageous.

• Direct experience in evaluating computational biology misuse, AI safety red-teaming, or automated bio-classifier benchmarking is also preferred.

• Practical experience in high-containment laboratories (BSL-3 or BSL-4) or with DNA synthesis screening providers is a plus.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive industry salaries.

• Comprehensive benefits package.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• 401(k) with company match.

• Paid time off including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Inclusive environment.

• Opportunities for professional growth and internal mobility.

• Reasonable accommodations during the hiring process.