Biosecurity Research Resident - AI-Enabled Biological Tools

Job Type : Term (Fixed Term)

Overview

RAND is seeking a Biosecurity Research Resident to join our AI evaluation team. This position will contribute to groundbreaking research on how advances in artificial intelligence intersect with biotechnology, national security, and innovation.

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 AI-enabled biological tools such as biological design tools and biofoundation models. The Biosecurity Research Resident will lead and support scientific, technical, and policy analyses focused on AI-enabled biological tools , including evaluating the capabilities of these tools to produce potential benefits and risks. The successful candidate will collaborate with experts across the federal government, academia, and the private sector to establish rigorous technical methods, benchmarks, tools, and frameworks for assessing and mitigating the risks of AI-enabled biological tools that could impact biosecurity and global safety.

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.

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to :

Apply biological and computational expertise to evaluate AI-enabled biological tools

Set and execute high-level strategic and research priorities for assessment and mitigation of risks of AI-enabled biological tools , with an emphasis on the policy impact of evaluations

Conduct interdisciplinary research integrating computational biology, machine learning, biotechnology, and national security policy .

Collaborate with technical researchers, U.S. government partners, and the scientific community to develop evidence-based standards and best practices for evaluation and mitigation of risks of AI-enabled biological tools .

Represent RAND in interagency, academic, and international working groups focused on biosecurity, AI safety, and emerging technology governance .

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

Manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders including scientists, industry experts, and policy makers.

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 biological sciences, computational biology, bioinformatics, biotechnology, or a related discipline .

Experience with AI / ML applications in biological or chemical research , including model evaluation or risk assessment.

Strong interest in AI capability evaluations and mitigation development for AI-enabled biological tools 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 and contributing to complex, interdisciplinary research projects involving both technical and policy dimensions.

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

Experience developing or assessing AI-enabled biological tools and / or AI-enabled synthesis screening algorithms .

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

Knowledge of machine learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow) and computational modeling tools.

Prior experience collaborating with federal agencies or national security stakeholders.

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 Biological Sciences, Computational Biology, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, or a related field 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. security 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 1-2-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., research paper, policy brief, or technical report 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 and or an optional code sample if applicable to computational work.

A cover letter which responds to the following prompts :

Summarize in

A short description (

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