PPE Program Officer

One of the most tractable ways to suppress pathogen transmission and save lives in a future outbreak is to ensure that highly protective respiratory PPE can be deployed to millions of critical workers. Despite this, stockpiles and supply chains are not prepared to meet this demand. Overcoming this challenge was the genesis of our PPE Blueprint , and our work is aimed at overcoming bottlenecks to preparedness.

Blueprint Biosecurity is seeking a full-time PPE Program Officer to join our PPE team. Reporting directly to the PPE Program Director, this role focuses on applied research, road mapping, and strategic grantmaking to advance the availability and accessibility of highly protective respiratory PPE in future outbreaks. Responsibilities include creating research-backed reports and materials, supporting our grantmaking portfolio, and helping to scope new program directions.

This role offers significant autonomy over high-impact work — from shaping our research program to influencing the deployment of millions in philanthropic funding.

• Conduct literature and landscape reviews – draft summaries and reports, distill information and make relevant recommendations for a range of audiences.
• Draft reports and roadmaps – contribute to research reports, strategic roadmaps, white papers, and other materials intended for dissemination.
• Investigate opportunities for grantmaking – help to source and evaluate potential grantees, draft technical sections, and perform cost-benefit analysis to assess proposals.
• Manage grantee and contractor portfolio – manage relationships with external researchers to track progress and ensure quality of output.
• Field-building – provide technical expertise, conduct interviews, and build professional relationships with experts and PPE stakeholders in government, industry, academia, and philanthropy.
• Execute events – identify and attend relevant conferences, workshops, and meetings, and help to plan and execute workshops and events.
• Serve as a PPE subject matter expert – maintain up-to-date knowledge of the current state of PPE innovation, production, markets, regulations, stockpiles, and adoption.

You’re motivated to work collaboratively on a complex, neglected problem and you bring a strong record of high-quality research and execution. Prior experience with PPE isn’t required for this role.

Our Ideal Candidate:

• Is excited to navigate complex systems and bring new perspectives to systemic challenges.
• Excels at building relationships with diverse stakeholders to advance common goals.
• Works autonomously in a fast-moving environment, identifying what needs to be done and driving it forward without waiting for perfect guidance.
• Prioritizes learning that enables action, chasing down the insights most likely to drive impact.
• Has strong intellectual curiosity with the ability to stress test ideas and respond to new evidence.
• Above all, is inspired and motivated by creating a more secure world, reducing the risk of pandemics, and saving lives through accessibility of highly-protective PPE.

• Excellent research skills, including literature reviews, semi-structured interviews, technical deep dives, and use of emerging research tools, e.g. LLMs, where appropriate.
• Strong communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to translate technical and nuanced topics to a range of audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to balance multiple complex projects and priorities effectively.
• A relevant technical background, demonstrated either through advanced academic study or previous work experience.

• Prior experience in academic, government, or private sector settings working on topics such as biosecurity, public health, and/or aerosol science.
• Experience working on teams with a wide breadth of responsibility and/or with startups.
• Experience directing contracted research and/or managing external contractors.

If you’re reading this and thinking “this is exactly the work I want to be doing,” we want to hear from you.

Even if you don’t meet every listed qualification, apply — or email us directly if anything in this posting is holding you back. This role will evolve with…