Research Manager, AIxBio

About the role

You will work closely with fellows and their mentors to coordinate and execute high-impact research agendas in AI and biosecurity. This role owns the end-to-end management of the AIxBio fellowship cohort, ensuring fellows receive structured support that accelerates their research output. You will design and implement feedback systems that uphold the highest standards of scientific rigor and clarity for all program participants. The position requires deep engagement with both technical and policy-oriented research at the intersection of advanced AI and biosecurity. You will act as a central hub for resources, connecting diverse experts and literature to advance fellow projects. For the right candidate, we are prepared to adjust the scope and compensation of this position to reflect broad ownership. You will play a key role in shaping the research culture and epistemic standards of the incoming AIxBio cohort.

Key facts

What you'll do

Coordinate detailed 1-1 sessions with fellows to review research progress and overcome obstacles, including debugging experimental designs and preparing literature scaffolds.

Deliver substantive feedback on fellow research deliverables, helping CBAI foster an environment that prioritizes rigor, clarity, and intellectual precision.

Map and connect fellows with relevant resources, literature, and professional opportunities specific to the AI x biosecurity domain.

Maintain ongoing communication with fellows' mentors to define clear research objectives and track the progression of each project.

Lead the selection process for new fellows by reviewing applications and conducting interviews to ensure strong epistemic standards and relevant backgrounds.

Design and contribute to reading groups, workshops, and supplementary programming tailored to the AIxBio cohort.

Support special projects aligned with your expertise, such as developing evaluation frameworks or refining mentor onboarding materials.

Meet regularly with program leadership to strengthen feedback loops and implement improvements to the fellowship structure.

Monitor and summarize recent developments at the intersection of AI and biosecurity, preparing timely briefs for fellows.

Champion the adoption of best practices in research methodology and communication across the cohort.

Identify bottlenecks in fellow research plans and propose concrete, actionable next steps grounded in evidence.

Cultivate a collaborative and inclusive research environment that encourages constructive criticism and iterative improvement.

Track project milestones and timelines to ensure the cohort remains aligned with CBAI's strategic research goals.

Act as a bridge between technical researchers, policy experts, and domain specialists to enrich the fellowship output.

Requirements

Candidates must have substantial experience supporting complex analytical or research projects through teaching, managing technical teams, conducting independent research, consulting, or coordinating academic programs.

You must have engaged deeply in the research process yourself, with a track record of analytical work in academia, policy analysis, consulting, or industry research.

Demonstrated ability to distinguish between robust research plans and weak conceptual frameworks, including identifying blockers and outlining next steps.

Significant prior exposure to AI x biosecurity, biosecurity, AI safety, or the policy and governance dimensions of emerging technologies is mandatory.

You must be capable of delivering developmental feedback that strengthens arguments, methodology, and clarity of presentation.

Strong written and verbal communication skills are required to explain intricate concepts and provide effective, actionable feedback.

You must proactively communicate uncertainty, ask clarifying questions, and flag potential issues before they escalate.

A demonstrated commitment to mission-driven work, with a focus on mitigating risks from transformative AI systems and related biosecurity challenges.

Nice to have

Experience organizing or facilitating workshops, reading groups, or fellowship programs in technical or policy fields.

Familiarity with frameworks for evaluating dual-use risks or capability benchmarks in biological systems.

Background in drafting regulatory or governance recommendations for emerging technologies.

Practical notes

This is a full-time role based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Please include your preferred working hours if applicable during the application process.