Research Resident, AI × Bio Threats and Mitigations
$90,400–$274,300 year
RemoteUnited States or Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Job Summary
Assess how frontier AI accelerates scientific workflows to enable misuse, identifying capability shifts and developing indicators for the AI × Bio intersection. Build contingency planning infrastructure to coordinate responses when models materially increase biological misuse risk. Develop frameworks to deter state-linked actors pursuing AI-enabled biological threats, including attribution and signaling strategies. Construct detection methods and architectures for advanced technology providers to distinguish serious threats from noise before harm occurs. Produce concrete recommendations for developers, policymakers, and government partners to act on these findings. This three-year term role supports the RAND Center on AI, Security, and Technology's mission to address emerging biosecurity and AI security threats through rigorous, multi-disciplinary analysis.
Required Qualifications
- Excellent analytic skills
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
- Ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team
- Strong commitment to RAND's core values of quality and objectivity
- Comfortable owning problems end-to-end
- Working across ambiguity on novel questions
- Track record of rigorous analysis in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to adapt quickly to new questions and challenges
- Around 5 years of relevant experience
- A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field
- Relevant fields include: Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, Artificial Intelligence, Biology, Biostatistics, Business, Chemistry, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Economics, Electrical Engineering, Engineering and Public Policy, Engineering Physics, Epidemiology, Geology, Health Services Management, Information Security, Information Technology, International Relations, Law, Machine Learning, Mathematics, National Security Policy, Natural and Physical Sciences, Philoso...
- A PhD in a relevant field
- A Master's degree in the fields listed above with at least 3 years of relevant professional experience
- A Bachelor's degree in the fields listed above with at least 5 years of relevant professional experience
- A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Cybersecurity, Information Security, Information Technology, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Applied Physics, Engineering Physics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Engineering and Public Policy, Technology and Policy, National Security Policy, Policy Analysis, Political Science, International Relations, or similar
- 1 year AI-focused real-world experience
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance
- Having U.S. citizenship
Desired Qualifications
- Familiarity with frontier AI
- Familiarity with the life sciences
- Strongly motivated by mission-driven work
- Reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position
Hiring someone like this?
Get your role in front of qualified candidates on Sorce.