Program Lead, AIxBio

About the role

You will own the strategic and operational direction of the AIxBio Research Fellowship as its founding organizer, defining the program's long-term vision and annual cycle goals. You will manage and develop a team of AIxBio Research Managers, providing mentorship, performance feedback, and career guidance to ensure high-quality execution. You will lead end-to-end mentor recruitment, cultivating relationships with top AI and biosecurity researchers to build a durable mentor network. You will design and iteratively improve fellow selection criteria, cohort structure, and research frameworks in close collaboration with CBAI's leadership and Research Program Associate. You will develop and maintain evaluation frameworks to track fellow outcomes, program effectiveness, and knowledge dissemination over time. You will identify and pursue partnerships to deepen CBAI's presence within the Cambridge biosecurity research ecosystem and related institutions. You will serve as the primary external liaison for the AIxBio program, representing CBAI to mentors, partners, and prospective fellows.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Define the strategic vision and continuous improvement roadmap for the AIxBio Research Fellowship across multiple cycles.
• Design the program end-to-end, including fellow selection methodology, cohort structure, and stakeholder feedback loops.
• Architect program structures such as mentor matching protocols, research goal frameworks, and cohort programming sequences.
• Create and refine evaluation frameworks to assess fellow progress, program impact, and publication or deliverable outcomes.
• Map and expand CBAI's presence in the Cambridge biosecurity research ecosystem through targeted outreach and collaboration.
• Coordinate closely with CBAI program leadership to ensure alignment with the broader AI safety fellowship portfolio and infrastructure.
• Recruit, onboard, and manage AIxBio Research Managers, providing guidance, development, and cross-functional coordination.
• Lead mentor recruitment and retention efforts, establishing trusted relationships with senior AI and biosecurity researchers.
• Act as the central point of contact for mentors, offering ongoing support and facilitating their engagement throughout the fellowship cycle.
• Build and maintain long-term partnerships with organizations such as SecureBio and Coefficient Giving.
• Translate qualitative mentor feedback into actionable program improvements each cycle.
• Balance strategic oversight with hands-on execution to keep the program high-performing and adaptable.
• Communicate program results and narratives to internal and external audiences to sustain support and growth.
• Ensure all program activities remain coherent with CBAI's safety-focused mission and operational standards.

Requirements

• You have deep familiarity with the intersection of AI and biosecurity, with experience engaging credibly on capability evaluations and dual-use research governance.
• You have meaningful background in biosecurity and AI, whether through research, policy, field-building, or program leadership roles.
• You are a builder who thrives when launching new initiatives, comfortable with ambiguity and able to make sound decisions with incomplete information.
• You can design systems and processes that remain effective beyond your direct involvement, emphasizing durability and clear structure.
• You are a strong relationship builder who can establish trust with senior academics and industry experts, making collaboration feel worthwhile.
• You demonstrate strategic and operational range, moving fluidly between high-level program design and detailed implementation tasks.
• You are an excellent communicator who writes clearly, presents compellingly, and delivers feedback that drives progress.
• You represent CBAI professionally in external interactions, maintaining alignment with its mission and reputation.
• You have experience managing or mentoring teams, providing clear direction while fostering psychological safety and accountability.
• You are mission-driven, convinced that AI biosecurity risks require coordinated, field-building efforts and thoughtful policy engagement.
• You show resilience and adaptability in a fast-growing environment, willing to take on evolving responsibilities as the program scales.
• You value structured evaluation and learning, using data and qualitative insights to refine programs iteratively.
• You are comfortable coordinating across multiple stakeholders, including researchers, funders, and partner organizations.
• You uphold rigorous ethical standards in handling sensitive topics related to AI capabilities and biosecurity.

Nice to have

• Existing relationships in the biosecurity, AI safety, or adjacent research communities that can accelerate mentor recruitment.
• Experience managing fellowship or training programs at a similar scale and scope.
• Familiarity with grantmaking or partnership management in philanthropic or research contexts.
• Previous work in Cambridge or the Boston biosecurity and AI ecosystem.
• Comfort with both qualitative narratives and quantitative program metrics.

Practical notes

This role is full-time based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The position is expected to evolve rapidly as CBAI scales its fellowship programs in 2026, with multiple cycles planned for Fall, Spring, and Summer. The successful candidate will be prepared to work at high pace, manage shifting priorities, and contribute to long-term institutional learning. No specific compensation details are published for this opening.