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- Tasks: Join a multidisciplinary team to evaluate and deploy cutting-edge biological AI models.
- Company: AI Security Institute, focused on mitigating advanced AI risks in scientific research.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, hybrid work options, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on AI governance and biosecurity while working with top experts.
- Qualifications: Experience in machine learning and biological AI models, plus strong communication skills.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with excellent career growth and the chance to influence global AI policy.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 75000 £ per year.
Join AI Security Institute as a Research Scientist/Engineer focusing on biological models. This role is part of the Chem Bio (CB) team, a multidisciplinary group of AI, biology, and policy experts working to understand and mitigate advanced AI risks in scientific research.
About the Chem Bio Team
The CB team conducts technical research on evolving AI capabilities related to science R&D, biological misuse, and safeguards. Our mission is to inform critical decisions on security, opportunities, policy, and risk mitigation made by governments and AI developers.
Role Responsibilities
- Join a small, talent‐driven, multidisciplinary team evaluating state‐of‐the‐art AI models for engineering biology.
- Set up and deploy leading biological models and evaluate these models in line with AISI's research objectives.
- Design and deliver evaluations and experiments to assess capabilities of AI models in fields such as protein design, structure prediction, and biological foundation models.
- Lead research projects to understand the feasibility and effectiveness of potential technical safeguards for biological models.
- Investigate critical research questions at the intersection of AI and biosecurity, contributing to a technical evidence base used to advise and inform wider cross‐government efforts.
Requirements
- Background in machine learning, having worked directly on training, tuning or evaluating machine learning models using PyTorch or similar.
- Experience working on leading biological AI models, such as protein design models, structure prediction or scientific foundation models.
- Experience writing production‐level Python code that is scalable, robust and easy to maintain, ideally in a team.
- Sufficient knowledge of biology and machine learning concepts to understand and stay on the frontier of AI × Bio research literature.
- A sense of mission, urgency, and responsibility for success; demonstrated ability to solve challenging problems and acquire any missing knowledge necessary to get the job done.
- Motivation to conduct technical research with an emphasis on direct policy impact.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a dynamic, multidisciplinary team environment.
Other Core Requirements
- Spend at least 9 days per fortnight working with us.
- Work from our office in London (Whitehall) at least 3 days per week.
- Be UK‐based and, if applicable, UK nationals (including dual nationals holding British citizenship).
- Appointment is conditional on successfully completing UK Government SC clearance; prior clearance is not required—we will sponsor and support you.
What We Offer
- Impact you couldn't have anywhere else.
- Incredibly talented, mission‐driven and supportive colleagues.
- Direct influence on how frontier AI is governed and deployed globally.
- Work with the Prime Minister's AI Advisor and leading AI companies.
- Opportunity to shape the first & best‐resourced public‐interest research team focused on AI security.
Resources & Access
- Pre‐release access to multiple frontier models and ample compute.
- Extensive operational support so you can focus on research and ship quickly.
- Work with experts across national security, policy, AI research and adjacent sciences.
Growth & Autonomy
- Own important problems early if you're talented and driven.
- 5 days off learning and development, annual stipends for learning and development, and funding for conferences and external collaborations.
- Freedom to pursue research bets without product pressure.
- Opportunities to publish and collaborate externally.
Life & Family
- Modern central London office or option to work in similar government offices across the UK.
- Hybrid working with flexibility for occasional remote work abroad and stipends for work‐from‐home equipment.
- At least 25 days' annual leave, 8 public holidays, extra team‐wide breaks and 3 days off for volunteering.
- Generous paid parental leave (36 weeks of UK statutory leave shared between parents + 3 extra paid weeks + option for additional unpaid time).
- Employer pension: 28.97% of base salary.
- Discounts and benefits for cycling to work, donations and retail/gyms.
Salary
- Level 3: £65,000–£75,000 (Base £35,720 + Technical Allowance £29,280–£39,280)
- Level 4: £85,000–£95,000 (Base £42,495 + Technical Allowance £42,505–£52,505)
- Level 5: £105,000–£115,000 (Base £55,805 + Technical Allowance £49,195–£59,195)
- Level 6: £125,000–£135,000 (Base £68,770 + Technical Allowance £56,230–£66,230)
- Level 7: £145,000 (Base £68,770 + Technical Allowance £76,230)
Location
London (Whitehall), United Kingdom. Hybrid and occasional remote work abroad supported.
Employment Type
Full‐time.
Seniority Level
Entry level.
Job Function
Other.
Industries
Government Administration.
Research Scientist/Engineer, Biological Models in London employer: AI Security Institute
Contact Detail:
AI Security Institute Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Scientist/Engineer, Biological Models in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the AI and biosecurity fields on LinkedIn or at industry events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or a GitHub repository showcasing your projects related to biological models and machine learning. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get ready for interviews by doing mock sessions with friends or mentors. Focus on explaining your past projects and how they relate to the role at AISI.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our mission-driven team.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Scientist/Engineer, Biological Models in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with machine learning and biological models. We want to see how your skills align with our mission, so don’t be shy about showcasing relevant projects or research!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about AI and biosecurity. We love seeing candidates who are motivated by the impact of their work, so let that enthusiasm come through.
Showcase Your Team Spirit: Since we’re a multidisciplinary team, it’s important to demonstrate your ability to collaborate. Share examples of how you’ve worked effectively in teams before, especially in dynamic environments like ours.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at AI Security Institute
✨Know Your Biological Models
Make sure you brush up on the latest advancements in biological models, especially those related to protein design and structure prediction. Being able to discuss specific examples of your experience with these models will show that you're not just familiar with the theory but have practical knowledge as well.
✨Showcase Your Machine Learning Skills
Prepare to talk about your hands-on experience with machine learning frameworks like PyTorch. Be ready to explain how you've trained, tuned, or evaluated models in past projects. This will demonstrate your technical expertise and ability to contribute to the Chem Bio team's objectives.
✨Communicate Effectively
Since this role involves working in a multidisciplinary team, practice articulating complex ideas clearly and concisely. Think about how you can explain your research and findings to someone without a technical background, as strong communication skills are key to success in this position.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Mindset
Be prepared to discuss challenging problems you've faced in your previous work and how you approached solving them. Highlight your sense of mission and responsibility for success, as this aligns with the urgency and impact that the AI Security Institute is looking for in candidates.
