Workstream Lead, Chem Bio - Level 6 Low

We are looking for an experienced Work-stream Lead to lead the AISI Chem-Bio team - a friendly team of around 20 people with backgrounds ranging from ML engineering, biologists and chemists at the intersection of ML, and government experts. This team is responsible for understanding the capabilities presented by frontier LLMs, open-source tools and narrow AI biological tools.
Our role is to advance the security science of advanced AI models including LLMs and more specialised AI models within biology and chemistry and to inform the wider policy environment.
You will lead a team researching specialised models within Biology and Chemistry with a goal to evaluate the capabilities of frontier biological models, and develop evaluations, benchmarks and technical safeguards for these tools. This is a technical role ideally suited for a candidate with a strong strategic perspective on AI safety and biological and chemical security, experience in team leadership, and a strong technical understanding of AI systems and capabilities for the chemical and biological sciences. The work-stream is situated within the AISI Research Unit and will report to the Research Unit Deputy Director. This post requires Security Clearance (SC) and any continued employment will be conditional on earning and maintaining this level of clearance.
Role summary
As work-stream lead of a cutting-edge research team, you will provide the strategic and managerial leadership to ensure the team continues to stay at the bleeding edge of AI evaluations and safety science, providing scientific direction, leading on hiring, and on working with critical stakeholders. You will need to:
+ Build and lead a talent-dense, multidisciplinary, and mission-driven team;
+ Develop and deliver a strategy for leveraging the technical team to identify and mitigate risks at the convergence of AI and the biological/chemical sciences;
+ Ensure the team's research portfolio answers critical policy questions and is informed by the input of relevant xWH experts and policy makers.
+ Develop cutting edge evaluations for understanding risks at the intersection of AI and biological/chemical security;
+ Where appropriate, develop and lead a portfolio of externally delivered research;
+ Ensure that research outcomes are disseminated to relevant stakeholders within government and the wider community;
+ Forge relationships with key partners in industry, academia, and across Government, including the national security community;
+ Act as part of AISI's overall leadership team, setting the culture and supporting staff;
+ The position offers a unique opportunity to push forward an emerging field, whilst part of an organisation that is a unique and fast-growing presence in AI research and governance.
This role sits outside of the DDaT pay framework given the scope of this role requires in depth technical expertise in frontier AI safety, robustness and advanced AI architectures., As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV outlining relevant experience required for the job .
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
The AISI Talent Team will then sift all applications based on essential criteria outlined in the personal specification.
Those successful at sift will be invited to attend an interview which will comprehensively assess experience related to the role.
You will be asked to present on your vision and expected outcomes for the work-stream, followed by Q&A from the panel.
The specific interview presentation title will be: 'Please spend 30/45 mins presenting on your strategic vision for the work-stream.'
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed
Further Information
Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply,and can be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
Reasonable Adjustment
We are proud to be a disability confident leader and we welcome applications from disabled candidates and candidates with long-term conditions.
Information about the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) and some examples of adjustments that we offer to disabled candidates and candidates with long-term health conditions during our recruitment process can be found in our DSIT Candidate Guidance. A DSIT Plain Text Version of the guidance is also available.
We encourage candidates to discuss their adjustment needs by emailing the job contact which can be found under the contact point for applicants' section.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
A location-based reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.
Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
Any move to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.
DSIT does not normally offer full home working (i.e., working at home); but we do offer a variety of flexible working options (including occasionally working from home).
DSIT cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign.
DSIT holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Experience of performing cutting-edge research on AI model evaluations related to biological/chemical security, and team leadership. This includes a broad understanding of the literature and research questions at the intersection of AI and bio-security and help communicate results to inform wider cross-Government efforts., + Experience of leading impactful research on the intersection of AI and biological/chemical security.
+ Experience of conceptualising research and model evaluations related to biological/chemical capabilities.
+ Track record of working effectively with government experts and policy makers on the intersection of AI and biological/chemical security.
+ Track record of working effectively with key industry stakeholders relating to the intersection of AI and biological/chemical evaluations.
+ Track record of effectively communicating technical work to a mixture of technical and non-technical audiences.
+ Track record of successfully leading multidisciplinary teams to deliver multiple exceptional scientific breakthroughs or high-quality products.
+ Experience with mentorship of more junior team members.
Desirable Skills
+ Background in machine learning or the biological or chemical sciences.
+ Research experience in biology, chemistry, or epidemiology, and a strong understanding of research best practice.
+ Experience working in cross-functional teams, including both scientists and engineers.

The AI Security Institute (AISI), launched at the 2023 Bletchley Park AI Safety Summit, is the world's first state-backed organisation dedicated to advancing AI security for the public interest. Our mission is to assess and mitigate risks from frontier AI systems, including cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure, AI-enhanced chemical and biological threats, large-scale societal disruptions, and potential loss of control over increasingly powerful AI. In just one year, we've assembled one of the largest and most respected research teams, featuring renowned scientists and senior researchers from leading AI labs such as Anthropic, DeepMind, and OpenAI.
At AISI, we're building the premier institution for impacting both technical AI safety and AI governance. We conduct cutting-edge research, develop novel evaluation tools, and provide crucial insights to governments, companies, and international partners. By joining us, you'll collaborate with the brightest minds in the field, directly shape global AI policies, and tackle complex challenges at the forefront of technology and ethics. Whether you're a researcher, engineer, or policy expert, at AISI, you're not just advancing your career - you're positioned to have significant impact in the age of artificial intelligence.

Alongside your salary of £71,525, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £20,720 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology offers a competitive mix of benefits including:
+ A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, homeworking and compressed hours.
+ Automatic enrolment into the Civil Service Pension Scheme, with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
+ A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
+ An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue.
+ Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.
+ A hybrid office/home based working model where staff will spend a norm of 40-60% of their time in the office (minimum of 40%) over a month with flex dependent on balancing business and individual need.
Office attendance
The Department operates a discretionary hybrid working policy, which provides for a combination of working hours from your place of work and from your home in the UK. The current expectation for staff is to attend the office or non-home-based location for 40-60% of the time over the accounting period.