Application Guide

How to Apply for Biosecurity and AI Safety Fellowship

at 10a Labs

🏢 About 10a Labs

10a Labs is a specialized AI safety company providing adversarial red teaming, model evaluations, and intelligence collection to organizations deploying AI systems. Working here means contributing directly to the safe deployment of AI, particularly in high-stakes areas like biosecurity, and being part of a mission-driven team at the forefront of AI governance.

About This Role

This fellowship focuses on reviewing and labeling biological content against safety policies to support AI monitoring systems. As a fellow, you'll apply your biosecurity expertise to evaluate complex exchanges, distinguish legitimate research from dual-use risks, and help refine review processes, directly impacting AI safety in biotechnology.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing batches of biological content, such as research abstracts or forum posts, and labeling them for risk. You'd document your reasoning for each decision, participate in team discussions to align on borderline cases, and occasionally provide feedback to improve the review guidelines. The work is remote, so you'd collaborate via video calls and shared documents, balancing focused analysis with team check-ins.

🎯 Who 10a Labs Is Looking For

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📝 Tips for Applying to 10a Labs

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific biosecurity expertise, including any experience with risk assessment, policy review, or AI safety monitoring.

2

In your cover letter, provide concrete examples of how you've distinguished legitimate research from potentially harmful applications, referencing specific pathogens or synthetic biology scenarios.

3

If possible, include a writing sample or case study demonstrating your analytical approach to a biosecurity risk assessment.

4

Research 10a Labs' work in adversarial red teaming and model evaluations, and mention how your skills align with their mission to make AI systems safer.

5

Be prepared to discuss your familiarity with current AI safety challenges in biotechnology and how you stay updated on emerging threats.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

• Emphasize your deep subject-matter expertise in biosecurity and biotechnology, and your ability to evaluate complex biological content for dual-use risks. • Highlight any experience with policy implementation or risk assessment frameworks, and your ability to apply them consistently. • Show your enthusiasm for AI safety and your understanding of the role AI monitoring plays in preventing misuse of biological information. • Mention your attention to detail and ability to document reasoning clearly, as this is critical for improving review processes.

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Read 10a Labs' website and any public materials to understand their specific approach to red teaming and model evaluations.
  • Look into recent publications or talks by 10a Labs team members on AI safety and biosecurity.
  • Familiarize yourself with common biosecurity policies and frameworks, such as the HHS P3CO framework or the Biosecurity and Bioterrorism Risk Assessment (BBRA).
  • Explore how AI models are used in biological research and the current challenges in monitoring for misuse.
Visit 10a Labs's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you assess the risk of a research paper describing a method to enhance pathogenicity? What factors would you consider?
2 Describe a time you had to make a judgment call on a borderline case in biosecurity. What was your reasoning?
3 How do you stay current with developments in synthetic biology and potential biosecurity threats?
4 What is your understanding of adversarial red teaming in AI, and how does biosecurity review fit into that?
5 How would you handle a disagreement with a colleague about a risk assessment? Provide an example.
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't address the specific intersection of AI and biosecurity.
  • Overemphasizing academic research without connecting it to practical biosecurity risk assessment or policy.
  • Failing to demonstrate an understanding of the dual-use dilemma and how to handle ambiguous cases.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to 10a Labs!