At a Glance
- Tasks: Write and evaluate prompts for AI models on radiological safety.
- Company: Join Mercor, a leader in radiological security and AI innovation.
- Benefits: Flexible work environment, competitive pay, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Engaging role with a focus on critical thinking and creativity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in AI safety while utilising your expertise.
- Qualifications: Experience in security assessments and technical writing required.
The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.
Mercor is assembling a panel of radiological safety experts to red-team frontier AI models. The goal is to test whether a model can correctly judge the misuse potential of a technical request — answering legitimate questions fully while refusing genuinely dangerous ones.
You will:
- Write challenging single-turn prompts in your domain, labelled across three levels: benign, dual-use, and adversarial.
- Evaluate the responses that come back against a defined policy standard, and judge whether each was handled correctly.
- Write the reference answer — what a correct response looks like, and the technical reasoning for why.
This domain lives on the dual-use line more than most. The same isotope underpins cancer therapy and industrial radiography; the same shielding calculation protects a worker and conceals a source. A model that refuses a routine dose question is failing as badly as one that answers a question it shouldn't. Drawing that line reliably is why we need practitioners rather than generalists.
We're looking for people who have assessed how Category 1 and 2 sources actually get stolen, shielded or moved — the security and vulnerability side of a licensed programme, not just its paperwork. What matters most is being able to tell a routine professional question from one that's fishing for something else: the same shielding calculation protects a worker and conceals a source. You will be writing prompts that sit exactly on that line, then judging whether the model held it.
Examples of relevant backgrounds (ideally with red-teaming experience):
- Security or vulnerability assessment of licensed facilities holding Category 1 and 2 sources
- Physical protection design and review — detect, delay, assess and respond; insider threat considerations
- Source recovery, consolidation or security-upgrade programmes for disused and orphan sources
- Regulatory security inspection and compliance — 10 CFR 37 or national equivalents
- Transport security for radioactive material — routing, escort, tracking and chain of custody
What this role demands beyond technical depth:
This is writing-intensive work. Every judgment you make needs a written rationale that a non-specialist can follow. Prior technical writing, published research, or expert witness experience is a strong signal; please include a sample or link. You will also be reading and writing about misuse scenarios in your field for sustained periods. We brief experts on this in advance, and you can pause or step away at any point without penalty.
Your work here will not involve, and must not draw on, classified or export-controlled information, or anything covered by an NDA or prepublication review obligation. If you hold such obligations you may still be a good fit; tell us in your application and we will scope the work accordingly.
Radiological Security Specialist - Expert employer: Mercor
Mercor is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and creativity in the AI sector, offering a fully remote work environment that promotes flexibility and independence. With a strong focus on employee growth, team members are encouraged to take ownership of their projects while benefiting from a supportive culture that values collaboration and continuous learning. Joining Mercor means being part of a forward-thinking company backed by industry leaders, where your contributions directly impact cutting-edge search technologies.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Radiological Security Specialist - Expert
✨Join Security Community Events
Dive into local security conferences and workshops. These events are goldmines for networking with industry professionals, and they often host recruiters looking for candidates for full-time roles like Radiological Security Specialist - Expert. Plus, you can showcase your passion and familiarity with the latest trends!
✨Connect with Industry Experts
Utilise platforms like LinkedIn to follow and connect with leaders in security services. Engage with their content; it shows your interest and can spark conversations that might lead to job opportunities at companies like Mercor. Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for insights or informational interviews!
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✨Directly Apply to Mercor
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We think you need these skills to ace Radiological Security Specialist - Expert
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Certifications:When applying for a full-time position in security services, make sure to showcase any relevant certifications you have, like SIA or other security industry qualifications. This adds credibility and shows that you're serious about your career in this field.
Demonstrate Your Attention to Detail:In security roles, attention to detail is crucial. Use your CV and cover letter to provide examples of how you’ve noticed and addressed security vulnerabilities or hazards in past jobs. This will help us see your proactive approach to ensuring safety.
Tailor Your Experience:Don’t just list duties from previous jobs; instead, frame your experiences in a way that relates directly to the role at Mercor. Whether that's managing a team, conducting risk assessments, or successfully maintaining safety protocols, make this relevant to what we do.
Share Your Availability and Flexibility:Full-time roles often require a degree of flexibility. Make sure to clearly state your availability in your application, especially if you can work various shifts. This shows us your readiness to adapt to the needs of the role at Mercor.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mercor
✨Know Your Security Protocols
In the security services field, it's crucial to familiarise yourself with the latest security protocols and technologies. Brush up on things like surveillance systems, access control, and emergency response procedures. You'll likely face technical questions, so having a couple of solid scenarios or case studies ready can really impress your interviewers at Mercor.
✨Demonstrate Situational Awareness
Prepare to showcase your situational awareness skills. You might be put in hypothetical scenarios where you need to assess potential risks or respond to incidents. Practising how you’d handle these situations ahead of time can give you the confidence to articulate your thought process during the interview.
✨Emphasise Teamwork & Communication
Since security services often rely on effective teamwork and clear communication, be ready to share examples of how you’ve successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight any instances where you’ve had to relay critical information or work closely with other services – this is key for a role at Mercor.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
You can expect a variety of behavioural interview questions focusing on your past experiences and how you've handled challenges. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Sharing specific examples from previous security roles or related jobs will help demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and reliability to the team at Mercor.
