Senior Research Scientist, AI Biosecurity Assessments

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California, +1 more state.

📋 Description

• Collaborate with AI companies and internal research and engineering teams to perform capability and safeguard assessments of new AI models.

• Implement evaluation pipelines, analyze data, and determine how outcomes correspond with threat models and risk levels.

• Conduct manual assessments of models regarding knowledge and willingness within specialized biology fields.

• Compile findings into evaluation reports, technical documents, and risk summaries for partners and regulatory agencies.

• Contribute to publications, reports, and the public dashboard showcasing capability trends.

⛳️ Requirements

• PhD in pathogen biology, microbiology, virology, or a closely related discipline; equivalent experience from alternative paths will also be considered.

• Preferred experience in a wet-lab environment.

• Strategic insight into aligning evaluation results with actual biological risks and the performance of technical safeguards.

• Strong interest in safeguards, their potential failure modes, and relevant biological capabilities.

• Ability to convey complex technical findings in clear, structured writing.

• Comfort with short, intensive project cycles and adapting to changing priorities.

• Approximately one year of coding experience in an industry or graduate research context is preferred.

• Proficiency in Python is preferred.

• Direct experience with the Inspect AI framework, or in building and evaluating LLM or agent systems, is preferred.

• Familiarity with biosecurity policy, threat assessment, or counterterrorism efforts is preferred.

• Experience collaborating with AI developers or working in a regulated or NDA-intensive environment is preferred.

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare coverage, including health, dental & vision insurance.

• Annual mental health allowance for each employee.

• Flexible working hours.

• Unlimited paid time off (PTO).

• Minimum of 12 weeks fully-paid parental leave.

• Fully-paid sponsorship for conferences.

• Annual professional development allowance.

• Employer 401(k) matching up to 4% of total salary.

• Referral bonus of up to $5,500 for successful candidate referrals.