Spatial Data Analyst
Handshake • Remote
Education
Bachelor
Type
Hourly
Pay Rate
$125/hr
Listed
7d ago
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Apply Now → ⚡ Boost your chances - Optimize your resume with Rezi.aiAbout this role
From the Handshake listing
Overview
Handshake is looking for skilled QGIS users to support AI research through flexible, hourly contract work. This is not a traditional job. You'll draw on your hands-on experience with geographic information systems, spatial data analysis, or environmental mapping to evaluate AI-generated content and provide feedback that helps AI better understand GIS tasks and spatial data workflows.
This is an ongoing, project-based opportunity you can take on alongside anything else you have going on.
Details
The position is remote and asynchronous - work independently from wherever you are.
Flexible hours and the ability to work remotely, with no minimum commitment to hours.
Project work includes and is not limited to developing domain-specific prompts and evaluating LLM responses.
Learn new skills while contributing to the changing world of AI across various disciplines.
Placement into a project will be dependent on project availability.
Qualifications
Must have at least 1+ year of work experience using one or more of the following tools:
QGIS
And other related technical tools
Capacity to work asynchronously with AI research teams.
Work authorization information
F-1 students who are eligible for CPT or OPT may be eligible for projects on Handshake AI. Work with your Designated School Official to determine your eligibility. If your school requires a CPT course, Handshake AI may not meet your school’s requirements. STEM OPT is not supported. See our Help Center article for more information on what types of work authorizations are supported on Handshake AI.
The application process
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Interview Prep
Sample questions for a Data Analyst role, written in-house to help you prepare.
What's your process for cleaning a dataset before starting analysis?
I start by profiling the data for missing values, duplicates, and outliers, then decide case by case whether to impute, drop, or flag issues based on how they'd affect the specific analysis. I document every transformation so the cleaning process is reproducible and reviewable, not just a black box.
How do you decide which statistical test is appropriate for comparing two groups?
I check the distribution of the data and whether the groups are independent or paired first, since that determines whether a t-test, a non-parametric alternative like the Mann-Whitney U test, or a paired test is appropriate. Choosing a test based on convention rather than the data's actual properties leads to unreliable conclusions.
What makes a data visualization misleading, even if the underlying numbers are correct?
Common issues include truncated axes that exaggerate differences, using pie charts for data with too many categories to compare visually, or choosing a chart type that implies a trend the data doesn't actually support. I try to match the chart type to the specific comparison I want the viewer to make.
How do you handle outliers in a dataset when you're not sure if they represent errors or real extreme values?
I investigate the source of the outlier before deciding how to handle it, since a data entry error should be corrected or removed, while a genuine extreme value, like a real high-value transaction, should usually stay in the dataset. Removing outliers automatically without checking their origin risks losing real signal.
Why this role
Few remote roles pay $125/hr for Data Science judgment on a schedule you control. This Spatial Data Analyst position combines that income with direct exposure to how AI labs build training data.
Talent pool
We're light on Data Science candidates
We've matched 9 people with a Data Science background against 293 Data Science listings we've tracked, so most go out without one. Set up a profile and we'll consider you for a role like this one.
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Common questions
Can I use Handshake if I graduated years ago?
Probably not a good fit. Handshake's AI Fellowship roles target current university students and early talent within about 1-2 years of graduation. Experienced professionals typically find faster approval and better rates on Outlier or Mercor.
Is Handshake itself the employer for AI training roles?
For the AI Fellowship roles specifically, yes, Handshake acts as the employer of record. That's different from the rest of the site, which functions as a job board listing openings for other companies.
Why do these AI training roles pay so much?
Because general knowledge isn't what's being tested. The model already knows the basics; what it needs is expertise on edge cases, the rare, difficult, highly technical judgment calls only a senior professional in the field would make correctly.
What does the day-to-day workload look like for elite-expert AI training roles?
Slow and deep, not fast and repetitive. A single task can take 45-60 minutes of researching citations or verifying complex calculations. Quality is what's being measured here, not throughput.
What does Data Science work look like for a Spatial Data Analyst?
Tasks here are scoped to Data Science, not generic labeling. As a Spatial Data Analyst, expect to draw on real domain judgment (evaluating outputs, correcting errors, or providing expert reasoning specific to Data Science) rather than following a one-size-fits-all rubric. If you don't have hands-on Data Science background, this is likely not the right listing to start with.
What specific skills does this listing call for?
AI Training is named directly in the listing. If you don't have hands-on experience with this, expect the screening process to test for it directly rather than accepting adjacent experience as a substitute.
How much does this specific role pay?
This listing is posted at $125/hr, an hourly rate. Pay can change between when we last checked the listing and when you apply, so confirm the current number on the platform's own application page before committing time.
What happens when I click Apply on this listing?
You'll be taken to Handshake's external site to complete your application there. This listing links through a referral, but the process is identical to applying directly; the link just routes you correctly. Create an account on their site and follow their onboarding steps.
Are Handshake AI training listings internships?
Some are, some aren't. Handshake lists both standard internships and separate "AI Trainer" fellowships. Check the job description for "1099" or "Contract" language: that signals a freelance role, not W-2 employment.