Catastrophic Pandemics

Explore the field of pandemic preparedness and discover how you can contribute to preventing catastrophic global outbreaks and safeguarding public health.

Introduction to Biosecurity

Why it matters

Pandemics have affected humanity throughout the ages and history has shown how devastating they can be. The Spanish flu killed 50-100 million people between the years 1918 and 1920. The most recent one, Covid-19, has in August 2024 infected more than 770 million people, and caused at least 7 million deaths. Yet it could have been far worse, had the virus been deadlier, stealthier or more contagious.

While we continue to face risks from natural pandemics that could spill over from animals (zoonosis), like bird flu, technological advancements in AI and synthetic biology increase the likelihood that in the coming decades we will be confronted with a pandemic that is significantly worse than the coronavirus. Such a situation could, for example, arise if dangerous infectious agents accidentally leak from research labs, or are deliberately produced and spread by malicious actors.

Further, little resources are invested into the area. For example, there are only around 10 people working on the global adoption of the Biological Weapons Convention, which prohibits the development of biological weapons. In contrast, the chemical and nuclear counterparts have 500 and 2,600 employees respectively.

However, new technical developments and the increased attention following COVID-19, present new opportunities for more strengthening defense against future pandemics. This page aims to provide you with a deeper understanding of the problem and guide you on how you can contribute to mitigating the risk of future pandemics.

global death toll from influenza pandemics

Career in Pandemic Prevention

By pursuing a career focused on preventing catastrophic pandemics, you can contribute to a more effective identification, management and mitigation of biological threats

Technical Roles

Technical Roles

Studying high-risk pathogens and advancing technical capabilities to prevent, detect and respond to emerging outbreaks

Epidemiological Modeler
Data Scientist
Microbiologist

Policy Roles

Policy Roles

Developing, advising, and implementing regulations and strategies to prevent, manage, and mitigate the impact of global infectious disease threats.

Governmental Policy Advisor
Think tank Policy Analyst
Policy Researcher

Operation & Supportive Roles

Operation & Supportive Roles

Managing logistics, coordinating resources, and providing essential administrative support to ensure the effective implementation of pandemic prevention and response strategies.

Program Officer
Logistics Coordinator
Operations Associate

Career in Pandemic Prevention

Globally

Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)

Helping the world better prepare for future epidemic and pandemic threats and is supporting progress towards the 100 Days Mission

World Health Organization (WHO)

Promoting health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable

Blueprint Biosecurity

A nonprofit dedicated to achieving breakthroughs in humanity’s capability to prevent, mitigate, and suppress pandemics.

Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security

Protecting people's health from epidemics and disasters and ensure that communities are resilient to major challenges.

Secure Bio

A biosecurity nonprofit dedicated to protecting society from catastrophic biological risks.

1 Day Sooner

Advocating for the interests of participants in intensive infectious disease trials to help test vaccines and enable other medical advances.

Sweden

The Public Health Agency (Folkhälsomyndigheten)

Government agency with national responsibility for public health.

Pandemifonden

A national fundraising fund that aims to strengthen Swedish virus research and prevent virus-caused diseases and pandemics.

Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB)

Helping society prepare for major accidents, crises and the consequences of war, including biosecurity threats and pandemic response.

SciLifeLab

Commissioned by the government to build laboratory capacity to assist in future pandemics.

Nordic

Langsikt

A Norwegian politically independent think tank that aims to shed light on the most neglected issues of our time, including catastrophic pandemics.

CEPI

A Norway-based foundation that finance independent research projects to develop vaccines against emerging infectious diseases.

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)

With Headquarter in Stockholm, ECDC is strengthening Europe's defenses against infectious diseases.

From Vision to Transformation: Stories of Impact

Johan Täng

Medical Doctor

Johan is a Medical Doctor working with infectious diseases. He also runs the Nordic Biosecurity Group (NBG) and is trying to figure out how to best contribute to improving biosecurity and biosafety in a Swedish and Nordic context.

Johan Täng

Medical Doctor

Biosecurity
Ulrik Horn

Biosecurity Entrepreneur

Ulrik Horn is an early adopter of EA and has shifted his career from the wind energy industry to use his entrepreneurial skills to work on more neglected causes. His last project, Fønix, has explored the potential of building a bioweapons shelter with the goal to increase society’s resilience towards pandemics and reduce the existential risk associated with such an event.

Ulrik Horn

Biosecurity Entrepreneur

Biosecurity
#TAKE ACTION

Where to start?

Create a tailored career plan

Explore EA Sweden’s free career guide, helping you create a robust plan on how to contribute to the AI Safety field

Bluedot Impact

Skill up with Bluedot Impact

Increase your understanding of the problem areas through BlueDot Impact’s 12 weeks free Biosecurity Fundamentals Course.

Picture of two people in personal impact career coaching session carried out by Effective Altruism Sweden

Apply for individual coaching

Get input on your career plan, or on a specific career decision, through individual coaching with EA Sweden. It’s free of charge.

Additional resources and learning

Job board

Find open positions

Use Probably Good’s job board to find open biosecurity roles that fit your skills and interests

Cause area profile

Learn more

Explore 80,000 Hours’ extensive analysis of a career in Biosecurity

Research

Dive into the research

Explore Our World in Data’s articles and charts on pandemics

Newsletter

Stay up to date

Receive the latest news, insights and expert analyses in Biosecurity through Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security’s newsletter.

Common misconceptions

Dispel common misconceptions

Read/listen to what 14 biosecurity experts perceive as the biggest misconceptions about biosecurity and pandemic risk.

Community

Engage and connect

Join a network of students and professionals interested in the Nordic Biosecurity field, through The Nordic Biosecurity Group.

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