Research Manager, Biodefense

You support fellows in the Biodefense Fellowship, so that each one does strong work and moves into a role where they can reduce catastrophic biological risk.

- Salary: £86,750–£121,500 per year. We may be able to pay more for exceptional candidates.

- Location: London, at our office at LISA

- Hours: Full time

- Visa: We can sponsor a Skilled Worker visa, but approval isn't guaranteed.

WHY WORK AT PIVOTAL

Pivotal finds people who can work on the biggest risks from advanced AI and gets them working on them. AI and synthetic biology are making it easier to create dangerous pathogens, so in 2026 we started the Biodefense Fellowship, which focuses on defences such as early detection, protective equipment and medical countermeasures. Since 2024, 135 fellows have taken part in our fellowships, and alumni now work at METR, Apollo Research, UK AISI and GovAI. We have grown from 2 staff in 2024 to 10 today, and we plan to reach at least 16 in 2027. Read more about us at pivotal-research.org, and about what it is like to work here https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HTPz30UGF91_2bVI2EIDxWMkdMVgOVwyX5mT2Ubuad8/edit?usp=sharing.

WHAT YOU WILL OWN

You'll be the Research Manager for about 6 research fellows, supporting each project from scoping through to publication. You'll collaborate closely with our whole research management team.

You'll engage deeply with your fellows' work: reading drafts, questioning experimental designs, suggesting framings, and helping projects stay ambitious but tractable. You’ll also hold the thread that keeps projects moving and fellows well supported.

- Your fellows. Regular check-ins, project planning, unblocking, and feedback on drafts.

- Projects and mentors. Use your knowledge of the field to help find biodefense mentors and to judge which projects matter most.

- Information hazards. Help fellows handle sensitive biological information responsibly, and decide with mentors what is safe to publish.

- Career outcomes. Help fellows move into biosecurity organisations, government and policy roles.

- Wellbeing. Look after your fellows' wellbeing, with support from our community manager.

- Between cohorts. Help design the next cohort, and support other programs where needed.

RESEARCH MANAGEMENT AT PIVOTAL

As an individual researcher, you might advance one or two projects. In this role, you'll have a hand in about 6 projects simultaneously (and about 18 projects every year). Your leverage comes from making each fellow meaningfully more effective than they would be on their own.

The biodefense field has an extremely limited talent pipeline, and many of the people who will shape it over the next few years are early in their careers, still developing their research taste, and often short on high-quality guidance. This role sits at that bottleneck. You’ll help the next generation of researchers produce stronger work, find the right collaborators, and move into positions where they can have outsized impact.

If you get energy from seeing other people's work click into place, this role may let you shape the field more than you could as a single researcher.

WHO DOES WELL IN THIS ROLE

- A background in biosecurity research or policy.

- You know the biosecurity field and its organisations, which helps with mentors and careers.

- Good judgement about handling sensitive research information.

- Strong project management across several projects at once.

- Care for people: fellows trust you and tell you early when things go wrong.

- You want to spend a large part of your career reducing catastrophic biological risk.

We don’t expect anyone to be strong in all of this. If the role excites you, please apply, even if you match only part of what we describe here.

HOW WE HIRE

We review applications as they come in, so applying early helps. The process has these stages:

- Written application. A short form and your CV. It takes about 30 minutes.

- Automated video interview. About 10 minutes. You record short answers to a few questions, at a time that suits you.

- Work task. About 2 hours, based on real work in this role. We pay you for this time. You may use AI tools, as you would in the job. Tell us which ones you used and how.

- Personal interview. About 45 minutes. We discuss your work task and how you would approach the role. With your consent, we record it so that more of the team can review it.

- Work trial and references. Up to three paid days working with us at our office in London. We also speak to two referees, after asking you.

If you need an adjustment at any stage, such as extra time, tell us and we will arrange it. If you have questions, email team@pivotal-research.org.