At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a pioneering team researching AI safety and security in the Chem Bio field.
- Company: AI Security Institute, the leading organisation in advanced AI risk management.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration across disciplines.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global AI governance and safety while collaborating with top experts.
- Qualifications: Strong technical or scientific background in AI, chemistry, biology, or related fields.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 145000 £ per year.
About the AI Security Institute
The AI Security Institute is the world's largest and best-funded team dedicated to understanding advanced AI risks and translating that knowledge into action. We’re in the heart of the UK government with direct lines to No. 10 (the Prime Minister's office), and we work with frontier developers and governments globally. We’re here because governments are critical for advanced AI going well, and UK AISI is uniquely positioned to mobilise them. With our resources, unique agility and international influence, this is the best place to shape both AI development and government action.
AISI’s Chem Bio team is open to expressions of interest from talented research engineers and scientists of all levels of seniority who want to work at the forefront of frontier AI safety and security, but do not see a role listed that matches their skills and experience. Our talent team will reach out should a role arise that may be a good match.
Team Description
The Chem Bio team conducts cutting-edge research to understand, evaluate and mitigate chemical and biological risks associated with frontier AI systems. We assess the extent to which advanced models may enable harmful capabilities, develop methods for evaluating these risks rigorously, and share our findings directly with leading AI companies, UK officials and allied governments to inform deployment, research and policy decisions. Our work spans a range of technical and scientific challenges, including capability elicitation, model evaluations, benchmarking, threat modelling, and the development of safeguards and monitoring approaches. We combine expertise from machine learning, chemistry, biology, biosecurity and related disciplines to better understand how frontier AI systems may affect the chemical and biological risk landscape. We work closely with partners across government, academia and industry, and collaborate with other technical teams across AISI to ensure our work is scientifically rigorous, operationally relevant and decision-useful. Many of our most impactful projects draw on expertise from across multiple domains, and we actively encourage collaboration in tackling the most pressing challenges in frontier AI safety and security.
What you might work on
- Designing and running evaluations to assess chemical and biological capabilities in frontier AI systems
- Developing benchmarks, datasets and experimental protocols for assessing high-consequence risks
- Studying how model capabilities may generalise or transfer across scientific domains and task settings
- Building tools and automated methods for capability elicitation, testing and monitoring
- Investigating model safeguards and identifying where they may fail or require strengthening
- Conducting threat modelling and risk analysis to understand realistic pathways to harm
- Translating technical findings into actionable recommendations for frontier AI companies and government stakeholders
- Working with external partners in science, security and policy to improve the broader ecosystem’s understanding of chem/bio-related AI risks
Who we’re interested in
We are interested in hearing from candidates with strong technical, scientific or research backgrounds relevant to the Chem Bio team’s mission. This may include people with experience in:
- Machine learning, especially evaluation, robustness, interpretability or capability assessment
- Computational biology, bioinformatics, molecular biology, synthetic biology or related life sciences
- Chemistry, computational chemistry, cheminformatics or related disciplines
- Biosecurity, chemical security, threat assessment or dual-use risk analysis
- Research engineering, scientific software, automation or infrastructure for technical research
- Experimental design, benchmarking and empirical evaluation
- Interdisciplinary work at the intersection of AI and the natural sciences
We welcome expressions of interest from people at a range of seniority levels, including individual contributors, technical leads and research managers.
Salary: £65,000 - £145,000 GBP
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
- If you’re talented and driven, you’ll own important problems early.
- 5 days off and 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 (cafes, food court, gym), or where applicable, option to work in similar government offices in Birmingham, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, Salford or Bristol.
- Hybrid working, 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).
- On top of your salary, we contribute 28.97% of your base salary to your pension.
- Discounts and benefits for cycling to work, donations and retail/gyms.
Salary Annual salary is benchmarked to role scope and relevant experience. Most offers land between £65,000 and £145,000 made up of a base salary plus a technical allowance (take-home salary = base + technical allowance). An additional 28.97% employer pension contribution is paid on the base salary.
This role sits outside of the DDaT pay framework given the scope of this role requires in depth technical expertise in frontier AI safety, robustness and advanced AI architectures.
Additional Information
Use of AI in Applications: Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Security: Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check and get baseline personnel security standard (BPSS) clearance before they can be appointed. Additionally, there is a strong preference for eligibility for counter-terrorist check (CTC) clearance. Some roles may require higher levels of clearance, and we will state this by exception in the job advertisement.
Nationality requirements: We may be able to offer roles to applicants from any nationality or background. As such we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet the standard nationality requirements.
Working for the Civil Service: The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Diversity and Inclusion: The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found.
Expression of Interest- Chem Bio in London employer: the AI Security Institute
The AI Security Institute is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of AI safety and security in a dynamic and supportive environment. With direct influence on global AI governance and access to cutting-edge resources, employees can expect significant professional growth, collaboration with top experts, and a commitment to work-life balance, including generous leave policies and flexible working arrangements. Located in central London, our modern office fosters a vibrant work culture that prioritises innovation and impact, making it an ideal place for talented individuals passionate about shaping the future of AI.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Expression of Interest- Chem Bio in London
✨Get Hands-On with Research Projects
Look for opportunities to assist on research projects at your university or in local labs. It’s a brilliant way to gain practical experience and make connections that can lead to entry-level roles in chemistry.
✨Join Chemistry Societies and Events
Engage with local chemistry societies or attend events like lab open days and science fairs. These can help us meet professionals in the field and learn about job openings, especially for entry-level positions.
✨Show Off Your Skills with a Portfolio
Create a simple portfolio showcasing your projects, experiments, and any relevant coursework. This can impress potential employers at places like the AI Security Institute when you're applying for entry-level roles.
✨Utilise Career Services at Your Uni
Don’t underestimate your university's career services. They often have job listings, workshops, and can connect us with internships or entry-level positions tailored for new chemistry grads!
We think you need these skills to ace Expression of Interest- Chem Bio in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:In chemistry, it's all about those practical skills! Make sure to highlight any relevant lab experience or techniques you've learned during your studies. Include specific techniques or instruments you're familiar with in your CV – this showsHiring Managers that you’re ready to get your hands dirty from day one!
Highlight Your Projects:If you've completed any projects or research during your studies, definitely include those! Talk about your role, the outcomes, and any data analysis you did. This not only shows your passion for chemistry but also your ability to apply your knowledge in a real-world context.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Chemistry:Your cover letter is your chance to express your excitement for chemistry and this entry-level position. Dive into why you're passionate about the field and how you’ve prepared for it through your coursework or internships. Make it personal and unique – we want to see your personality shine through!
Don't Skip Soft Skills:While technical skills are crucial, don’t forget to mention your soft skills. Collaboration, communication, and problem-solving are key in chemistry environments, especially when working in teams or presenting findings. Include examples that demonstrate these abilities – they can set you apart from other candidates!
How to prepare for a job interview at the AI Security Institute
✨Know Your Chemistry Fundamentals
Make sure to brush up on your core chemistry principles. We’ll likely face technical questions about things like organic reactions or laboratory techniques. This shows we’ve got the technical chops that a role in chemistry requires.
✨Show Off Your Lab Experience
Entry-level roles often want to see our hands-on experience. Even if it’s from university labs, be ready to discuss specific experiments we conducted, the protocols we followed, and any results we achieved. This can really impress interviewers at the AI Security Institute.
✨Mind Our Soft Skills
Apart from technical know-how, we should highlight our teamwork and communication skills. Chemistry often involves collaboration, so examples of working in lab groups or presenting findings will really help us shine.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving Scenarios
In entry-level interviews for chemistry, we might face hypothetical problem-solving scenarios. Practice how we’d approach a given problem or experiment, showcasing our critical thinking and decision-making skills. Think of it as a fun challenge!
