How to apply for Head of Biology

About Gray Swan

Gray Swan is a cutting-edge AI security company dedicated to automatically assessing and mitigating risks in AI models. Working here means joining a team at the forefront of AI safety, where your work directly shapes the responsible deployment of advanced AI systems worldwide. If you're passionate about ensuring AI is safe and beneficial, Gray Swan offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact.

About the role

As Head of Biology, you'll lead the biological safety assessment efforts, focusing on identifying vulnerabilities in AI systems that could be misused in biological contexts. This role is crucial because it bridges the gap between AI capabilities and potential biosecurity risks, ensuring that AI deployment doesn't inadvertently enable harmful biological activities. Your work will directly inform safety protocols and contribute to global AI security.

A typical day

A typical day might involve reviewing AI model outputs for potential biological threats, collaborating with AI researchers to design stress tests, and analyzing data to identify new failure modes. You'd also likely spend time writing reports or presenting findings to internal teams and external partners, ensuring that safety evaluations are integrated into product development.

Who Gray Swan is looking for

• PhD in biology, bioinformatics, or a related field with deep understanding of synthetic biology, biosecurity, and emerging biotechnologies.
• Proven experience in risk assessment, threat modeling, or safety evaluations, preferably in AI or technology sectors.
• Strong research background with ability to design and execute experiments to identify and mitigate AI-related biological risks.
• Excellent communication skills to translate complex technical findings to non-experts and influence policy or enterprise decisions.

Tips for this application

• Tailor your resume to highlight any experience with AI safety, biosecurity, or dual-use research, using specific examples of risk assessments or vulnerability analyses.
• In your cover letter, explicitly connect your biology expertise to AI security challenges, demonstrating your understanding of how AI models could be misused in biological contexts.
• Showcase any interdisciplinary work, such as collaborating with AI researchers or computer scientists, to prove you can thrive in a cross-functional team.
• Prepare a portfolio or case study of a past project where you identified and mitigated a biological risk, and be ready to discuss it in detail.
• Research Gray Swan's existing tools and publications, and mention specific aspects in your application to show genuine interest and initiative.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Emphasize your unique blend of biology and AI security knowledge, and how it positions you to lead biological safety assessments.', 'Highlight your experience in stress-testing systems or identifying failure modes, especially in high-stakes environments.', "Express your passion for AI safety and your commitment to preventing catastrophic risks, aligning with Gray Swan's mission.", 'Mention any specific contributions you could make to their current projects, such as developing new evaluation frameworks for biological threats.']

Research before applying

• Read Gray Swan's website and any published research or blog posts to understand their approach to AI security and their current tools.
• Look into recent news or case studies about AI-related biological risks, such as the discussions around AI-designed toxins or pandemic potential.
• Familiarize yourself with the broader AI safety community, including organizations like the Center for AI Safety or Future of Life Institute, to understand the landscape.
• Review any interviews or talks given by Gray Swan's founders to grasp their vision and priorities.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you design an experiment to test whether an AI model could suggest a novel biological weapon?
• Describe a time you identified a vulnerability in a system and how you communicated it to stakeholders.
• What are the most pressing biological risks associated with advanced AI, and how would you prioritize them?
• How do you stay updated on the latest developments in both AI and biosecurity, and how would you apply that to your work?
• Given a hypothetical scenario where an AI system could generate DNA sequences, how would you assess and mitigate its potential misuse?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Avoid focusing solely on traditional biology research without connecting it to AI or security; this role requires an interdisciplinary mindset.
• Don't underestimate the importance of AI knowledge; even if your background is biology, show that you understand AI fundamentals and their security implications.
• Avoid generic statements about passion for safety; instead, provide concrete examples of your involvement in risk assessment or biosecurity initiatives.