Biosecurity Research Resident - AI x Bio Evaluations

Job Type:

Overview

RAND is seeking a mission-driven Biosecurity Research Resident to run the biological risk workstream of our AI evaluation team, working closely with the AI x Bio portfolio lead at RAND's Center on AI, Security, and Technology (CAST) to develop new approaches to evaluate and understand risk at the AI x Bio intersection through assessment, technical work, and policy analysis.

RAND's reputation for excellence is built on our commitment to high-quality, rigorous analysis and objectivity. RAND is at the forefront of work on the impact of high-consequence, dual-use technologies on global competition and security. Our research has been used by the White House, government departments, the EU and UK governments, and industry leaders, among others. Our alumni have gone on to important roles at institutions such as the NSC, Commerce, DOD, Congress, Google DeepMind, OpenAI, EU AI Office, UK AISI, other key think tanks, and founding mission-driven tech initiatives.

Our AI evaluation team develops and conducts evaluations of national security relevant capabilities of frontier AI systems including both large language models (LLMs) and biological AI models such as biological design tools and biofoundation models. This Biosecurity Research Resident will oversee work assisting policymakers' understanding of the biological capabilities and risks of frontier AI systems and the development of technical mitigations to reduce the risk of misuse at the intersection of AI and biology. The Biosecurity Research Resident will develop short- and long-term strategic goals for the AI evaluation team and lead the multidisciplinary project team (including Biosecurity Research Residents, machine learning engineers, and policy researchers) to execute on these goals.

This position is structured as a focused two-year appointment to accelerate research and provide rigorous analysis that informs evidence-based policymaking in this rapidly evolving field. Every day of your tenure will count toward achieving ambitious projects in biosecurity. The appointment may be renewed for an additional year, with options for longer-term employment at RAND thereafter.

RAND's reputation for excellence is built on our commitment to high-quality, rigorous analysis and objectivity. As a Biosecurity Research Resident, you'll maintain that excellence while engaging with some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

Only full-time schedules will be considered.

Given the breadth of valuable work our team could do and the Biosecurity Research Resident's role in setting the direction, there is some ability to align projects with an individual's skills, interests, and career goals.

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Oversee a research portfolio managing an interdisciplinary team of >5 people and with >$10M secured funding

• Develop concrete, operationalizable threat models for high-consequence risks at the AI-bio intersection, working with both internal and external partners

• Design and execute rigorous, objective evaluations of AI capabilities relevant to key bottlenecks within those threat models.

• Set and execute high-level strategic and research priorities, with an emphasis on the policy impact of evaluations

• Oversee execution of this research using a broad range of analytically rigorous, quantitative and qualitative research tools, methods, and skills

• Interpret internal and external research results to support decision-making surrounding complex AI biosecurity policy problems

• Communicate research results to policymakers and other key stakeholders at all levels through written products and oral presentations

Qualifications

All research positions at RAND require excellent analytic skills; the ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English, both orally and in writing; the ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team; and a strong commitment to RAND's core values of quality and objectivity.

Required:

• Domain expertise in one or more relevant biology domains including virology, molecular biology, computational biology, biosecurity, or related discipline. Strong interest and proficiency in understanding and assessing the capabilities and risks LLMs and biological AI models and tying these assessments back to appropriate threat models.

• Strong interest in AI capability evaluations as a route to impact

• Alignment with the team's focus on high-consequence biosecurity risks and AI misuse risks as a threat to national security

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, tailored to technical and non-technical audiences

• Aptitude for technical management and leading complex projects to completion, including leading cross-functional teams, managing project budgets, and mentoring and developing team members.

• Ability to design and execute research using analytically rigorous methods

• Ability to reason about policy options given different technical considerations

• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment with remote team members

Preferred:

• Deep familiarity with biosecurity policy, policymakers, and key policy levers (especially in the United States)

• Expertise in at least one of the following: AI capability evaluations, AI-enabled biodesign, bioterrorism, biodefense, or working at/with leading AI companies

• Experience in government, intelligence community, or other relevant decision-making offices

• Experience working on AI research, ML model training, and/or model deployment

• Experience in high-intensity fast-paced environments and/or navigating complex organizational structures.

Education & Experience Requirements

RAND is hiring a Biosecurity Research Resident at either the specialist or expert level of experience. Minimum education requirements at the specialist level are:

A PhD in Virology, Molecular Biology, Computational Biology, Biology, Biostatistics, Biosecurity, Biodefense, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, National Security Policy, Policy Analysis, or similar with at least 3 years of relevant professional experience.

OR

A Master's degree in the fields listed above with at least 6 years of relevant professional experience.

OR

A Bachelor's degree in the fields listed above with at least 8 years of relevant professional experience.

Security Clearance

Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government clearance is preferred but not required.

Location

We are actively hiring for this position in Washington, DC; San Francisco, CA; Boston, MA; Santa Monica, CA; and Pittsburgh, PA. Washington, DC office is preferred. We offer a hybrid work arrangement, combining work from home and on-site options. Fully remote work will also be considered.

Term

This position is a 2-year term appointment with a possibility of renewal for up to 3 years total, alongside options for longer term employment.

Writing Sample & Cover Letter Prompts

Applications Must Include:

A writing sample demonstrating analytical and communication skills. This sample can use a recent, previously written paper or report (e.g., journal article, master's thesis or paper written for coursework, prior employment, or internship). Applicants with fields of study or work experience in which they have not produced written products (e.g., model development), or in which written products have dissemination restrictions, may submit a short, written summary (i.e., less than one page) of one or more recent products they have developed.

A cover letter which responds to the following prompts:

• Summarize in <200 words your career goals and why you are interested in this role.

• Describe in <500 words a research project or approach for evaluation of biological risks of AI models that you would be excited to lead. Describe what strategic objectives you would prioritize, RAND's comparative advantage in this area, the most promising research directions, and what outcomes this project or approach might help achieve (e.g., what important policy decisions it might inform). This is just an assessment step and does not mean you would definitely work on this if hired.

Salary Range: $141,800 - $267,100

Biosecurity Resident, Specialist = $141,800 - $221,600

Biosecurity Resident, Expert = $170,900 - $267,100

RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidate's work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity.Successful candidates will be offered employment in a specific title, as determined by the candidate's education and experience. The salary range includes base pay plus RAND's sabbatic pay (which provides additional compensation above base pay when vacation is taken). In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off and more.

Equal Opportunity Employer