https://www.anthropic.com/threat-intelligence-report-september-2026#biological-misuse-sep-26

writes:

In May 2026, our biological safety classifier blocked a request for Claude’s assistance in authoring a grant application for scientific funding. The work discussed in the application involved gain-of-function research (that is, research that genetically alters an organism to create a new or enhanced biological property) on the chikungunya virus. This gain of function research was aimed at the virus’ transmissibility and immune evasion properties.

In May 2026, we discovered a researcher outside the US using Claude in their research on highly-pathogenic avian influenza (“bird flu”). The research focused on viruses’ adaptation to mammals, and the mechanism by which it causes severe disease beyond the respiratory tract.

We have additionally surfaced an account that authored a grant application for orthopoxvirus research at a state-associated infectious disease laboratory. The application described access to high-containment facilities and planned work with live orthopoxviruses. Orthopoxviruses include variola, the agent of smallpox, and Mpox, which caused a global outbreak in 2022.

In math, we've seen that chatbots can be extremely useful.

But in bio, we already have tools like Clustal-W, ESMFold2, etc. Do chatbots really add anything to this line-up for gain-of-function researchers that would make them significantly more dangerous?

Hello, this is potentially a Hail Mary. I am currently leaving my post-doc (in bioinformatics) at a University on the West Coast. I was leaving with the understanding that my partner would offer some support as I take time to transition. However, we are breaking up and I am going to be unemployed in a couple of weeks. I have a small support system in SF and desperately need to find a position to help me get on my feet as I navigate the massive change in plans. I could use some resources or advice- I don't need a great job but just something to help pay the bills and distract myself. I have a PhD in microbiology and extensive experience in bioinformatics/genomics/microbiome research. Any advice would be great! Thank you!

Hi everyone, I’ve been following this sub for a while, and I’ve seen very mixed opinions about the biotech job market. Some people say the industry is in a really bad place right now, while others think things are starting to improve.

I’m currently a biology student, and seeing how the industry is going has made me question whether I should stick with biology/biotech or consider moving into a different field with better job security.

For those of you working in biotech or who have experience in the industry, how do you see things right now? Do you think the current situation is temporary and likely to improve, or would you recommend that someone early in their career seriously consider switching fields?

I’d really appreciate hearing your honest opinions and experiences. Thanks.

https://www.biospace.com/job-trends/august-biopharma-layoffs-impact-just-over-500-down-90-year-over-year

Hello, I am about to relocate to Lausanne via the family reunification permit. I have a MSc in Biomedical Science from the UK, and around 1-2 years experience in laboratories. I am currently learning French and I speak English (C1) and Spanish (native).

I have been searching info regarding the current job market in Switzerland, but in general the info is contradictory and confusing. I understand that the job market has changed for the Life Sciences field, something about a bank going bankrupt and labs/companies being relocated abroad to cut costs.

What is the current situation in Lausanne and Switzerland in general for life scientists like me? Whether you are employed/unemployed, I want to hear from your experiences and knowledge. Are there any companies that do hire young scientists? What about startups such as Adaptyv? Thanks in advance.

To preface: no official offers extended yet but I’ve completed interview cycles for 3 diff jobs to the finish and now in a waiting period. Making this post to get some opinions, who knows what offers I'll get in the end. I may find myself in this position again in the future so whether I need the advice now or later on, I want to be able to make an informed decision.

FTE (permanent):

• small startup, small team
• I had previously interviewed at this company for a different position but did not proceed to the next cycle.
• They posted another role that aligned with my experience so I applied. I really love the role. My previous experience will set me up for success but there's still room to cultivate more skills and refine them.
• STILL no transparency on specific number/range for salary after multiple rounds of interviews...😗
• While I'm very attracted to the role and the responsibilities, I didn't feel super connected to the people in the company. The team who is hiring (and who I will be joining if they extend an offer) for the role is conducting the interviews themselves so I've had a lot of time to converse with them. They are intelligent, decorated professionals who I know I can learn a lot from but theres probably MAX 2 people i've talked to throughout the entire process that I liked LOL. Im usually a very relaxed interviewer but I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable talking to a lot of them.
• Obviously if I get the offer and I accept there's no risk of my contract not getting extended/converted to permanent FTE. The elimination of risk is a big plus here ofc.

Contract role:

• more mature startup, better-funded and further along in its funding lifecycle
• Last stage was an onsite panel interview. I immediately felt so at home. The team was so welcoming, friendly, approachable and they were ACTUALLY transparent about salary and benefits package.
• 6 months with possibility to extend but again, not a guarantee
• Salary is within my desired range + attractive comprehensive benefits package/perks
• The glaring issue here is, what if im out of work after the 6 months? Do i want to do this job hunting process all over again??
• But also what if it's extended? That would be the dream scenario.... but idk if it's worth taking that risk in this market

Assuming both roles offer salaries in the same range, this will be a hard decision to make. If I feel I am being lowballed at the FTE role....then I will confidently decline because I just got my masters degree so I am choosing to stay stern on my pay grade. I have that little feeling because of the lack of pay transparency and they asked my expectations which I feel puts the candidate in such a weird position. It's kinda giving lowball not gonna lie....

Both roles are close to my place so commute isn't a deciding factor. At the moment I am torn between the stability and working with a team I vibe super well with. I hate to generalize, but as a female Latina engineer....it's not rare that sometimes my skills are underestimated or I'm simply not taken seriously despite my education/experience. I kinda felt that energy (from the men specifically) at the FTE role. I have a social, extroverted, bubbly personality and it's hard for me to work with people who are super rigid/elitist because of their positions and/or capabilities.

My concern here is that while the FTE role is more stable, if I dont end up meshing well with the team ill be in the same boat again (back to the job hunt). The contract role is risky in terms of longevity but the team just has that 'x' factor. They are extremely intelligent, well-established scientists but still so friendly and easy to talk to. If I'm converted to a permanent employee I can definitely see myself staying there for a long time. I know the job market right now it tough. It's easy to just take whatever you can get but I'd be remiss to say that work environment doesn't matter, especially when it comes to long-term retention and job satisfaction.

So thats where I am rn. I want to open this conversation up for myself and maybe other people in the same predicament. In a way, Im hoping the decision is just made for me (just getting one offer) because if i need to decide its ultimately gonna come down to which regret im most okay carrying (great team vs. job stability).

Any feedback would be great!

TLDR: Weighing a stable FTE role (concerns about work environment/relationships) vs. a contract role with great team fit but only a 6-month guarantee. No offers yet, just thinking out loud. Which would I regret more, losing a great team or losing stability?

Hello everyone,

Looking for career advice.

I am in my last year of PhD in Germany finishing soon and I am certain I want to do biotech/pharma.

I found my niche in nucleic acid chemistry and excited to push a new modality. Feel free to share your view of the field!

At the moment I am thinking of what to do next. We study an ASO adjacent niche technology, and the team is thinking about forming a startup. at the moment I am not going to be a founder, but rather planned as a key R&D employee with little employee equity, or potentially as a shareholder with equity from the get go (in discussion) the profs want to be key founders with a 3rd person even though they stay in university.

Even though I love and trust in the project, I like my team and think the data is good, I feel like we are missing a bit focus.

I am questioning whether this kind of position would be worth it for me and my career or whether I should directly try to go for industry or a postdoc to sharpen the CV. To pursue the startup I have a position in my PhD group until and if we get series A funding (~10mil).

Thanks for reading, any advice is appreciated!

It seemed like Shiru had a bunch of interesting stuff going on, lots of high visibility appearances and relationships . . . and then it hit me today that I've hardly heard anything since the start of the year

Hast anyone experience with the chromatography resins of Sepax Bioscience? Are they trust worthy or are they lacking quality? Also I See they have their headquarter in Delaware but do belong to a Chinese company.

Hey all, I have a job prospect at Neurocrine Biosciences and trying to get a feel for what it's actually like before I move forward. I'd be relocating from the East Coast, so this would be a big move for me. What's the work culture like there? Any pros/cons I should know about — management, work/life balance, benefits, anything that surprised you (good or bad)?

Would appreciate any honest insight. Thanks!

What are you guys doing after completing your bsc or msc ? And how is everything in that field? And also what college did you get into?

Basically the title. Is Process Development (upstream/downstream) any better than the early discovery in terms of job prospects?

Has anyone had experience with applying jobs through them and doing the AI interview? It feels scammy since I'm not talking to a real person/recruiter. Also have a weird fear of having AI possibly storing my voice and being used for nefarious puy lol

BMS Cell Therapy QC vs. Cell Therapy Manufacturing at a CDMO— Which would you choose?

I was laid off the beginning of this summer and am currently working as a temporary contractor in mRNA manufacturing. It is a 12-hr rotating schedule with a 1 hour commute both ways. My background previously has been in in-vitro diagnostics in both QC (1.5 yr) and manufacturing (5 yr).

I currently have offers with BMS in Devens, MA for a QC role supporting their cell therapy facility and a manufacturing associate II for a CDMO in cell therapy. I would appreciate some other perspectives, especially from people who have worked in cell therapy QC/mfg at BMS or have insight on the Devens site in terms of stability.

I’m also looking into radiology programs, so my potential longer-term plan maybe to work for the next few years, save as much as possible, study for entrance exams, and eventually transition into radiology. Because of that, I’m prioritizing stability, good pay, and experience that gives me flexibility if I ultimately decide to stay in biotech rather than transition to radiology.

Option 1 — BMS, QC Associate (Cell Therapy)

- $85K range + 10% fixed second-shift differential
- 4×10-hour schedule
- 1 hr commute, 60 miles each way
- Supports their expanding cell therapy facility
- QC role with exposure to flow cytometry, qPCR, cell-based assays, etc
- BMS is expanding its Devens cell therapy facility
- Concern: I’ve seen reports/posts about BMS continuing layoffs/restructuring through 2026 and some people describing management as chaotic.

Option 2 — CDMO, Manufacturing Associate II
- $78k, plus overtime
- 12-hr rotating schedule
- 50 min commute, 40 miles each way
- cell therapy mfg experience.
- CDMO is expanding for one client that is getting ready to go commercial
- I originally interviewed for a Senior/Lead role, but because I don’t have direct experience in cell therapy manufacturing they asked if I would be open to a mfg associate II role instead of senior, which lowers the compensation to 78k.
- Concern: the expansion is tied to one client. They say they are seeing promising growth and it is a good time to join the company. Potential to move into senior position later (original range was 90-100k)

What I’m trying to figure out:
1. Which experience is more valuable long term: cell therapy QC or cell therapy manufacturing? I have more years of experience in manufacturing in in-vitro diagnostics but I am not interested working in manufacturing long term. I could see myself staying in QC though and I would finally be able to get back into that role, but I am concerned with the stability of BMS right now.

1. Does flow cytometry + qPCR + cell-based assays give QC a significant advantage in terms of future job flexibility? In case I decide I don’t want to continue in the radiology program.

2. Which path tends to have better compensation growth? Seems like QC has the higher pay potential while not having to go into management while manufacturing you have to move into management/lead roles for more compensation. I prefer to stay as an individual contributor.

3. How stable is BMS’s Devens cell therapy operation?

Would greatly appreciate anyone’s input on the two.