Skip to content
aitrainer.work - AI Training Jobs Platform
Languages mercor

Bilingual Japanese STEM Expert (PhD) — AI Safety

🇯🇵

Mercor • Remote, Japan

Education

PhD

Type

Hourly

Pay Rate

$68–$72/hr

Listed

29d ago

Apply opens Mercor in a new tab.

Apply Now →

About this role

From the Mercor listing

About the role

We're hiring PhD-level scientists who are proficient bilingual speakers (English & Japanese) to help make advanced AI models safer. You'll apply your scientific expertise to evaluate and strengthen how these models handle specialized technical topics in Japanese. No prior AI/ML experience is required — we'll train you on the workflow.

What you'll do

  • Write expert-level prompts in Japanese across specialized scientific topics.

  • Evaluate and annotate model responses for scientific accuracy, helpfulness, and appropriate handling of sensitive content.

  • Apply structured guidelines to classify prompts and conversations.

What we're looking for

  • A PhD in chemistry, biology, or a closely related field — ongoing or completed — with the depth to write prompts across chemical, biological, or radiological and nuclear subject areas.

  • Native or near-native fluency in Japanese, plus business-level written English.

  • Deep familiarity with modern laboratory and computational techniques in your subfield.

  • Sound judgment around scientific safety and the responsible handling of dual-use information.

Nice to have

  • Based in Japan or the wider East Asia region. This is a preference, not a requirement — applicants based elsewhere are welcome.

  • Radiological and nuclear coverage from a chemistry background is welcome — radiochemistry, nuclear chemistry, energetic materials, or radiation physics all qualify.

  • Demonstrated depth in a specific subfield rather than broad coverage — for example organic or inorganic synthesis, molecular biology, microbiology, virology, or genetics.

  • Research or coursework touching on chemical safety and security, biosafety and biosecurity, or hazardous-materials handling.

  • Experience reviewing, grading, or red-teaming technical content.

Project Timeline

  • Start date: Immediate

How long hiring takes

Across the AI training platforms we refer candidates to, the median gap between referral and hire is about 30 days. It varies by platform and role, so treat it as a rough guide for this one.

Within 2 weeks
~25%
Within 6 weeks
~60%
Within 3 months
~80%

Talent Pool members

Apply through this link and we can put you forward to Mercor when your profile is a strong match. Not every applicant is submitted. If you're not in the pool yet, set up your profile first.

Set up your profile →

What to Expect

Looking at Mercor Languages listings we've tracked, contracts in this domain typically run about 23.5 weeks. Actual length varies by project, but this gives you a realistic baseline going in.

Based on 64 extracted Mercor Languages listings.

Eligible Languages

Fluent proficiency in English or Japanese

English Japanese

Why this role

AI labs pay $68–$72/hr for a Bilingual Japanese STEM Expert (PhD) — AI Safety because getting Languages nuance wrong in a training set is expensive to fix later. That's what this rate is pricing in.

Talent pool

We're light on Languages candidates

We've matched 72 people with a Languages background against 925 Languages 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.

Set up your profile

Skills and categories

Explore other opportunities in related specializations:

Related jobs

Mercor

Browse All Jobs from Mercor

Discover more opportunities on Mercor that match your skills and interests.

View All Mercor Jobs →

Verified Reviews

Loading reviews…

Community Reviews

Loading reviews…
💬

Share your experience with Mercor

Help other candidates make better decisions by leaving a review.

Sign in to leave a review

Common questions

Does Mercor's application require an on-camera interview?

Yes, every applicant records a video interview with an AI interviewer that asks questions about your resume. Clients review that recording to judge communication skills before matching, so there's no way to apply without going on camera.

Does it cost money to apply to Mercor?

No, applying and joining Mercor is free. Mercor's revenue comes from a fee it charges the client on top of your hourly rate, not from applicants. Treat any request for payment to join as a red flag.

What does task-based AI training work look like?

Practical, hands-on data work: recording short videos, categorizing images, rating text responses, or analyzing data. Tasks are designed to be short and distinct, typically 5 to 60 minutes each.

What does Languages work look like for a Bilingual Japanese STEM Expert (PhD) — AI Safety?

Tasks here are scoped to Languages, not generic labeling. As a Bilingual Japanese STEM Expert (PhD) — AI Safety, expect to draw on real domain judgment (evaluating outputs, correcting errors, or providing expert reasoning specific to Languages) rather than following a one-size-fits-all rubric. If you don't have hands-on Languages background, this is likely not the right listing to start with.

What specific skills does this listing call for?

Bilingual, English, Japanese, and PhD are named directly in the listing. If you don't have hands-on experience with these, expect the screening process to test for them directly rather than accepting adjacent experience as a substitute.

How much does this specific role pay?

This listing is posted at $68–$72/hr, an hourly rate. The range reflects experience level and negotiated terms, not a placeholder, so where you land in it depends on your background and the assessment. 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.

Do I need to be fluent in English or Japanese?

Yes. This role specifically requires English or Japanese proficiency, on top of the English most AI training work assumes by default. If English is not a language you're fluent in, this is not the right role. Filter for your native language to find better-matched listings.

What happens when I click Apply on this listing?

You'll be taken to Mercor'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.

Is a PhD required?

For this specific role, yes, or near-equivalent professional depth. The credential gate is enforced at the assessment stage, not just on paper. That said, active PhD candidates and people with equivalent published research have qualified without a formal degree. The assessment is the real filter.

Can I apply from outside Japan?

This specific role is open only to people based in Japan. If you are somewhere else, applying is unlikely to lead to an offer even if you pass the assessment, because the restriction is usually about where the work can legally be contracted rather than your skills. Read the full description for any tax-residency or right-to-work caveats before you apply.

How soon will I start working after applying to Mercor?

Not immediately. Mercor is a talent marketplace, not a task queue, so applying puts you in a pool of candidates. You start working only once a specific client, like a major AI lab, selects your profile, and that matching process can take weeks.