Biologist, Lead for Large Language Model Chemical-Biological Security Evaluations

Summary

CAISI is seeking a candidate who will evaluate the chemical and biological capabilities of AI systems, and help lead collaborations to conduct and interpret national security-relevant chemical and biological evaluations.

This notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates.

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Duties

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In this position, you will:

• Apply biological sciences expertise to design and conduct national security-relevant evaluations of large language models (LLMs) and other AI systems for the NIST Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI) chemical-biological security team.
• Collaborate with interagency partners across the U.S. Government to coordinate evaluation approaches, share findings, and support whole-of-government AI biosecurity assessment efforts.
• Build and coordinate a network of scientific and national security stakeholders to define guidelines for identifying and measuring national security-relevant chemical-biological capabilities of LLMs while enabling innovation.
• Serve as a technical representative for the CAISI chemical-biological security team at interagency working groups and engagements with industry and academia.
• Provide guidance to CAISI leadership on emerging benefits and risks at the intersection of AI and biotechnology.
• Lead and manage other lines of effort for the chemical and biological security team as designated by the Team Lead.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. citizenship
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment
• Completion of Confidential Financial Disclosure, Form OGE-450
• Designated and/or random drug testing required
• Bargaining Unit Position: No
• Selective Placement Factor: Position duties require immediate access to classified intelligence; therefore, applicants must possess a current TS/SCI clearance.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements

1. Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR

1. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

ZP-0401-IV: In addition to the basic requirements, applicants must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-12 (ZP-III at NIST) or equivalent grade level. Specialized experience is defined as experience applying biological sciences, biosecurity, epidemiology, biotechnology, or closely related technical expertise to the design, execution, and interpretation of chemical-biological security evaluations of AI systems, including frontier large language models. This experience may include developing evaluation questions, tasks, or rubrics; assessing AI system outputs for chemical or biological national security-relevant capabilities; coordinating with technical, policy, or national-security stakeholders; and translating evaluation results into written analytic products or briefings.

ZP-0401-V: In addition to the basic requirements, applicants must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-14 (ZP-IV at NIST) or equivalent grade level. Specialized experience is defined as experience applying biological sciences, biosecurity, epidemiology, biotechnology, or closely related technical expertise to the design, execution, and interpretation of chemical-biological security evaluations of AI systems, including frontier large language models. This experience includes independently leading chemical-biological evaluation efforts or workstreams; leading the development of evaluation questions, tasks, or rubrics; leading the assessment of AI system outputs for chemical or biological national security-relevant capabilities; coordinating with senior technical, policy, or national-security stakeholders; and translating evaluation results into written analytic products, briefings, or recommendations for senior leadership or interagency partners.

Selective Placement Factor: Position duties require immediate access to classified intelligence; therefore, applicants must possess a current TS/SCI clearance.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook.

If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration

Education

This position has an education requirement. Transcripts must be submitted to validate that the education requirement has been met. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. However, an official copy will be required before a final offer of employment.

Use of foreign education for qualifications. An accredited organization must evaluate education completed outside of the U.S. to ensure that it is comparable to education received in accredited institutions in the U.S. Click here to view a listing of accredited organizations from the Department of Education's website. A copy of the foreign education evaluation (containing the results with course-by-course listing) is required with your application.

Additional information

This position is covered under NIST's Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS), a pay-for-performance system with excellent HR flexibilities to help NIST recruit and retain top talent. Learn more about the APMS here!

• We may share your application package with other selecting officials. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy.
• Click all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions.
• You MUST select at least ONE ELIGIBILITY to be considered for this position.
• All documents submitted for this announcement must be legible to make qualification or eligibility determinations.
• A probationary period may be required.
• This position requires the passing of a drug test.
• This position requires filing an OGE-450 Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of onboarding and annually thereafter.

NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work, NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities. For more information, please visit our Careers website.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.