Summary The NIST Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI) is seeking a candidate who will design, develop, and execute national security-related evaluations of frontier biological AI models in accordance with the AI Action Plan. This notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates. Responsibilities In this position, you will: Design, develop, and execute national security-related evaluations of frontier biological AI models, such as biological language models and biomolecular modeling and design tools. Adapt biological AI models for evaluation purposes. Curate relevant benchmarks and ground-truth datasets. Develop and refine scalable software workflows, custom tooling, and evaluation pipelines. Quantify uncertainty and statistical significance of evaluation results. Analyze biosecurity/national security implications of demonstrated model capabilities. Continuously adapt evaluation strategies to align with the state-of-the-art AI architectures and modalities. Collaborate with cross-functional teams of biology, machine learning, and policy subject matter experts. Communicate complex technical findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications All applicants must submit a resume NOT TO EXCEED two pages on standard-size paper. If the resume exceeds two pages, only the first two pages will be reviewed for qualifications or assessment determinations. Basic Requirements: Experience must be IT related; the experience may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification), as appropriate. For all positions individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below. The employing agency is responsible for identifying the specific level of proficiency required for each competency at each grade level based on the requirements of the position being filled. Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services. Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations. ZP-2210-IV: In addition to the basic requirements, applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level (ZP-III at NIST). Specialized experience is defined as experience conducting research related to biological Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) modeling approaches (e.g., numerous relevant scientific publications); developing, adapting, and/or evaluating biological AI models; demonstrated understanding of biosecurity and/or national security implications of biological AI models; collaborating and coordinating with teams at the intersection of AI and biology. ZP-2210-V: In addition to the above requirements, applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 level (ZP-IV at NIST). Specialized experience is defined as experience demonstrating exceptional leadership in research related to biological Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) modeling approaches (e.g., recognition as a technical authority; numerous highly-cited relevant scientific publications); highly skilled in developing, adapting, and/or evaluating biological AI models (e.g., having authored a widely-used benchmark or model); demonstrated understanding of biosecurity and/or national security implications of biological AI models; independently executed projects at the intersection of AI and biology that have had significant influence and impact. 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 Qualifications are based upon meeting specialized experience only. Education cannot be used to qualify for this position. 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 at NIST with opportunities like this one. 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 trial period may be required. This appointment may be extended up to four years without further competition. 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. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.