I want to work as a researcher in this field, but I am deeply confused. I have no idea of what undergraduate degree I should pursue.
Should I do a Biological Sciences baccalaureate? Biotechnology? Or maybe some quantitative field, like Math or Statistics?
I have been looking around for days, but I can't find any concrete answer. I have read 80.000 hour's page on the subject, but it does not provide a precise answer.
Edit: for those who are in the same situation as I am (or was, in case you're in the future) the "tentative career advice" section in this page (besides the commentaries in this post) might be of some help
https://80000hours.org/problem-profiles/preventing-catastrophic-pandemics/full-report/#how-to-help
Here is how you can get the definitive answer to this question for your particular case.
1. Make your own initial best guess about what the best discipline for you to study is, backed up by as much research as you can do. Make sure you read through some stuff from the biorisk syllabi Ben Stewart linked, study who employs biorisk researchers and what their qualifications are, and pay particular attention to the details of the careers of biorisk researchers you personally admire.
2a. Make a post to the EA Forum called "If you want to research biorisk, study X," where X is the degree course you have provisionally concluded is best for you to become a biorisk researcher. Present your arguments for why degree X is better than degrees Y, Z, etc., based on your research. Your post should be lengthy. You have now made a public, controversial, and certainly oversimplified claim with which some people will disagree, and they will reply to your post with well-reasoned arguments about why you are wrong. This will expose gaps and flaws in your thinking and give you much more information to make your decision. It may also connect you with new conversation partners you can ask for additional help and advice.
2b. Alternatively, contact as many leaders in biorisk research as you can and interview them about what course of study they think is best, using your research from Part 1 to identify who to interview and to formulate good questions that will elucidate what you most care about in making your decision. Then, write up what they tell you in a post to the forum: "20 biorisk leaders on how to get into biorisk research" or something like that. You could append a note or comment with what you personally concluded for yourself based on doing the interviews. People will reply to your post with additional information.
Good luck with your decision!
I'll do that, thank you!