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- Tasks: Join a dynamic team researching AI's impact on biology and biosecurity.
- Company: AI Security Institute, leading the charge in AI risk management.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, hybrid work options, and professional development support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in AI governance while working with top experts.
- Qualifications: Experience in machine learning and biological models, strong problem-solving skills.
- Other info: Work in a modern London office with great perks and a mission-driven culture.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 145000 £ per year.
Research Scientist/Engineer, Biological Models
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.
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Research Scientist/Engineer, Biological Models 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
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the AI and biosecurity fields, attend relevant events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or a GitHub repository showcasing your projects related to machine learning and biological models. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can do and set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Ace the interview! Research the company and its mission, especially their work in AI security. Be ready to discuss how your background in machine learning and biology aligns with their goals. Confidence and preparation are key!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who take the initiative. Make sure to tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience and passion for the role. It shows you’re serious about joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Research Scientist/Engineer, Biological Models
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with machine learning and biological models. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at the AI Security Institute!
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t hold back on detailing your experience with Python and any relevant frameworks like PyTorch. We’re looking for candidates who can demonstrate their technical prowess in a clear and concise manner.
Communicate Your Passion: Let us know why you’re excited about the intersection of AI and biosecurity. A genuine sense of mission and urgency can really make your application stand out in our eyes!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at AI Security Institute
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your machine learning and biological models knowledge. Be ready to discuss your experience with PyTorch and any specific projects you've worked on, especially those related to protein design or structure prediction.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of challenging problems you've tackled in the past. Highlight how you implemented solutions efficiently and what you learned from those experiences. This will demonstrate your sense of mission and responsibility for success.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since you'll be working in a multidisciplinary team, practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. Think about how you can convey your ideas effectively, as strong communication skills are key for this role.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with the AI Security Institute's mission and current projects. Being able to discuss how your work could impact policy and security will show that you're not just technically skilled but also aligned with their goals.
