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.
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
Epidemiological Modeler
Data Scientist
Microbiologist
Policy Roles
Policy Roles
Governmental Policy Advisor
Think tank Policy Analyst
Policy Researcher
Operation & Supportive Roles
Operation & Supportive Roles
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
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
#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
Skill up with Bluedot Impact
Increase your understanding of the problem areas through BlueDot Impact’s 12 weeks free Biosecurity Fundamentals Course.
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.