AI Biosecurity Evaluations Associate

Job Type:

AI Biosecurity Evaluations Associate

Full-time or part-time

Overview

RAND’s Technology and Security Policy Center (TASP) is seeking mission-driven Associates for the biological workstream in our AI Capability Evaluations (ACE) team.

RAND's reputation for excellence is built on our commitment to high-quality, rigorous analysis and objectivity. TASP 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.

ACE develops and conducts evaluations of national security relevant capabilities of frontier AI systems, with a current focus on the intersection of large language models (LLMs) and AI agents with biological risk. Associates will contribute to work assisting policymakers’ understanding of and mitigations for that intersection. They will be a key part of multidisciplinary project teams that include biosecurity experts, machine learning engineers, and policy researchers, and will have access to extensive government and industry connections.

This position is initially structured as a focused 1-year appointment to create the urgency needed to drive ambitious change in this rapidly evolving field. Every day of your tenure will count toward that goal. The appointment may be renewed for up to a total of 3 years, with opportunities for longer-term employment at RAND thereafter. Full-time and part-time (at least 20 hours per week) schedules will be considered, but with a preference for full-time.

Responsibilities

Given the breadth of valuable work our team could do, there is some ability to align projects with an individual’s skills, interests, and career goals. Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

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

• Contribute to the design and execution of rigorous, objective evaluations of AI capabilities relevant to key bottlenecks within those threat models, 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

• Contribute to the dissemination of research results to policymakers and other key stakeholders

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.

Other required qualifications:

• Domain expertise in one or more relevant domains (e.g., virology, molecular biology, computational biology, biosecurity, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, national security), or an ability to rapidly develop that

• Strong interest in the intersection of LLMs and AI agents with biosecurity risks and 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

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, tailored to technical and non-technical audiences, or ability to rapidly develop that

Preferred but not required:

• Familiarity with biosecurity policy, policymakers, and key policy levers (especially in the US)

• Expertise in at least one of the following: nucleic acid synthesis, AI-enabled biodesign, dual-use research of concern, potential pandemic pathogens, bioterrorism, AI capability evaluations, or working at/with leading AI companies

• Ability to reason about policy options given different technical considerations

• Aptitude for quantitative analysis and modeling, including modeling of uncertainty

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

• Proficiency in Python or other popular programming languages and machine learning frameworks (e.g. PyTorch, TensorFlow)

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

• Aptitude for project management

We encourage you to apply if you’re interested in the role and think you meet the required qualifications, whether or not you also meet the preferred qualifications.

Education Requirements

This role requires at least a Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline. This may include Virology, Molecular Biology, Computational Biology, Biology, Biostatistics, Biosecurity, Biodefense, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, National Security Policy, Policy Analysis, or a related technical or policy-focused discipline.

Higher levels of education or experience are preferred.

Note: This team also has opportunities for a Research Lead and Research Scientists. Applicants who possess the required qualifications are welcome to apply to any of these positions.

Security Clearance

Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance, including having U.S. citizenship, 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. San Francisco or especially the DC office are 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-year term appointment with a possibility of renewal for up to a total of 3 years, alongside options for longer term employment.

Application

Applications must include:

• A detailed resume highlighting relevant academic and professional experience.

• A writing sample demonstrating analytical and communication skills. This sample may be a recent, previously written paper or report (e.g., journal article, master’s thesis or paper written for coursework, prior employment, or internship). Applicants whose study and work experience (e.g., model development) has not involved producing written products that are shareable may submit a short, written summary (i.e., less than one page) of one or more recent products they have developed.

• Optionally, you may also submit a code sample.

• A cover letter which responds to the following prompts:

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

• 2) Describe in <300 words a research project for ACE’s biological workstream that you would be excited to work on. Describe what strategic objectives the project would target, RAND's comparative advantage in this area, the research methods you would use, and what outcomes this research might help achieve (e.g., what important policy decisions it might inform). Also briefly describe your current key uncertainties about your answer and how you would address them. This is just an assessment step and does not mean you would definitely work on this if hired.

Salary Range: $47,100- $156,500

AI Research Project Specialist I: $47,100 – $68,100

AI Research Project Specialist II: $57,400 -$85,500

AI Research Project Specialist III: $75,700 – $112,400

AI Research Project Specialist IV: $102,800 – $156,500

RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including the specific role responsibilities; a candidate’s work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity. In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, a savings plan, paid time-off, and more. This position is eligible for overtime.

Equal Opportunity Employer