Senior Biology Specialist

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

📋 Description

• Analyze and adjudicate complex, high-priority cases escalated from automated detection systems and Junior Specialists across key biosecurity risk areas.

• Assess sourcing and acquisition methods for Tier 1 select agents, toxins, and high-consequence pathogens.

• Evaluate genetic modifications intended to increase transmissibility, lethality, or immune evasion.

• Review manufacturing protocols related to large-scale culturing, fermentation, purification, and downstream processing.

• Assess formulation, aerosolization, stabilization, and mechanisms for delivery and dispersion.

• Differentiate between legitimate academic, medical, or diagnostic research and actionable, weaponized biological pathways.

• Conduct quality assurance on Junior Specialists’ casework and offer constructive technical feedback.

• Assist in leading regular calibration sessions to maintain consistency within the team.

• Review customer appeals and document evidence-based justifications for warnings, suspensions, and bans.

• Suggest policy decisions.

• Create accurate case annotations for benchmark datasets that are used to assess and refine automated safety filters.

• Integrate technical findings into risk assessments for the Principal Biology Specialist and client safety leaders.

• Rapidly escalate new threat patterns or ambiguous boundary cases as necessary.

⛳️ Requirements

• An advanced degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in Microbiology, Virology, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Synthetic Biology, Biosecurity, or a closely related field.

• Over 5 years of professional experience in biodefense, biosecurity policy, biosafety oversight (IBC/BSO), public health threat surveillance, or BSL-3 laboratory operations.

• Extensive technical knowledge of high-consequence human, animal, and plant pathogens, toxin production pathways, and the Federal Select Agent Program guidelines.

• Proven capability to differentiate benign educational or defensive life-science queries from illicit protocol development based on incomplete or fragmented user input.

• Demonstrated experience in peer-reviewing scientific analyses, maintaining operational labeling consistency, and mentoring junior colleagues.

• Strong technical writing abilities, with the skill to distill complex microbiological mechanisms into clear, actionable risk memos.

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

• Preference for Texas residency.

• Prior experience with DoD/DTRA, HHS/ASPR/BARDA, CDC, state public health laboratories, or national biodefense labs is advantageous.

• Experience with DNA synthesis screening protocols, gene editing compliance, or biosecurity red-teaming is a plus.

• Familiarity with AI safety, prompt evaluation, or computational biology tools is beneficial.

• An active or recent U.S. Government Security Clearance is valued but not mandatory.

• Selected candidates may be subject to client-directed insider-threat screening, background checks, and verification of academic credentials.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive salaries within the industry.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• 401(k) plan with company matching contributions.

• Paid time off that includes vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Opportunities for internal mobility and professional development.

• An inclusive work environment that positively impacts the community.