How to apply for Contractor Opportunities, AI, Biosecurity, and AI-Bio

About Centre for Long-Term Resilience

The Centre for Long-Term Resilience (CLTR) is an independent think tank uniquely focused on extreme risks, currently specializing in AI and biosecurity. It offers the opportunity to work on high-impact, cutting-edge issues at the intersection of technology and global safety, with a remote-first culture that values autonomy and expertise.

About the role

This contract role involves working autonomously on discrete projects within CLTR's AI and biosecurity policy units, contributing to initiatives that reduce catastrophic risks. You will communicate complex findings to policy and applied audiences, making your work directly influential in shaping resilience strategies.

A typical day

A typical day might involve reviewing the latest AI safety research or biosecurity threat assessments, then drafting a policy brief or analysis for CLTR's team. You might also participate in virtual meetings with collaborators, autonomously manage your project timeline, and prepare clear summaries for non-technical stakeholders.

Who Centre for Long-Term Resilience is looking for

• Deep expertise in AI, biosecurity, or the AI-bio intersection, with demonstrable knowledge of relevant technical or policy domains.
• Proven experience in policy research, technical development, or quantitative analysis, ideally with outputs that have informed decision-making.
• Ability to work independently on bounded projects, delivering high-quality results with minimal supervision.
• Strong communication skills to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences, including policymakers and non-experts.

Tips for this application

• Tailor your resume to highlight specific projects related to AI safety, biosecurity policy, or catastrophic risk reduction, using metrics where possible.
• In your cover letter, explicitly connect your expertise to CLTR's mission and current focus areas (e.g., AI governance, pandemic preparedness).
• Include a brief portfolio or writing sample that demonstrates your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly to a policy audience.
• Mention any experience working autonomously on discrete projects, and provide examples of how you managed timelines and deliverables.
• Research CLTR's recent publications and mention specific reports or initiatives that align with your skills and interests.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your specific expertise in AI, biosecurity, or AI-bio intersection and how it applies to reducing catastrophic risks.', 'Your ability to work autonomously on bounded projects, with examples of past successful independent work.', 'Your experience communicating complex findings to policy audiences, including any previous policy impact.', 'Your motivation for working at CLTR specifically, referencing their unique focus on long-term resilience and extreme risks.']

Research before applying

• Read CLTR's recent publications on AI governance and biosecurity, especially their policy briefs and reports.
• Understand their current projects and focus areas, such as their work on AI standards or pandemic preparedness.
• Familiarize yourself with the key figures and thought leaders in the AI safety and biosecurity communities that CLTR collaborates with.
• Review their website and any media coverage to grasp their communication style and policy influence.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Describe a project where you identified and mitigated a catastrophic risk from AI or biosecurity.
• How do you stay informed about the latest developments in AI safety or biosecurity policy?
• Walk us through your approach to a bounded project: how do you scope, execute, and communicate results?
• What is the biggest challenge in communicating AI/bio risks to policymakers, and how would you address it?
• How would you prioritize between multiple high-impact projects with limited time and resources?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic application that does not reference CLTR's specific mission or current work.
• Overemphasizing technical skills without connecting them to policy impact or risk reduction.
• Failing to demonstrate autonomous work capability—provide concrete examples of self-directed projects.