Biology (PhD)
Mercor • Remote • Posted 114 days ago
Education
Any
Type
Pay Rate
$51/task
Posted
114d ago
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About this Role
Fluent Language Skills Required: English
Why This Role Exists
Fluent Language Skills Required
Why This Role Exists
What You’ll Do
Write and refine prompts
Evaluate LLM-generated responses
Conduct fact-checking
Annotate model responses
Assess clarity, structure, and appropriateness of explanations
model responses align with expected conversational behavior
Apply consistent evaluation standards
Who You Are
PhD in Biology or a closely related life sciences field
one or more of the following sub-domains
significant experience using large language models
excellent writing skills
strong attention to detail
Experience reviewing or editing technical or academic writing
Nice-to-Have Specialties
What Success Looks Like
Why Join Mercor
Fluent Language Skills Required: English Why This Role Exists Mercor partners with leading AI teams to improve the quality, usefulness, and reliability of general-purpose conversational AI systems. These systems are used across a wide range of everyday and professional scenarios, and their effectiveness depends on how clearly, accurately, and helpfully they respond to real user questions. Life sciences AI must accurately reflect complex biological systems, experimental reasoning, and evolving scientific understanding. This project focuses on improving how models reason about and explain biological concepts across molecular, organismal, and systems-level topics. What You’ll Do Write and refine prompts to guide model behavior in the life sciences context Evaluate LLM-generated responses to biology-related queries for scientific accuracy and reasoning quality Conduct fact-checking using authoritative public sources and domain knowledge Annotate model responses by identifying strengths, areas of improvement, and factual or conceptual inaccuracies Assess clarity, structure, and appropriateness of explanations for different audiences Ensure model responses align with expected conversational behavior and system guidelines Apply consistent evaluation standards by following clear taxonomies, benchmarks, and detailed evaluation guidelines Who You Are You hold a PhD in Biology or a closely related life sciences field You have deep expertise in one or more of the following sub-domains: Molecular & Cellular Biology Organismal Physiology & Development Microbiology, Immunology & Pathobiology Ecology, Evolution & Environmental Biology You have significant experience using large language models (LLMs) and understand how and why people use them You have excellent writing skills and can clearly explain complex life sciences concepts You have strong attention to detail and consistently notice subtle issues others may overlook Experience reviewing or editing technical or academic writing Nice-to-Have Specialties Prior experience with RLHF, model evaluation, or data annotation work Experience teaching, mentoring, or explaining life sciences concepts to non-expert audiences Familiarity with evaluation rubrics, benchmarks, or structured review frameworks What Success Looks Like You identify inaccuracies or weak mechanistic explanations for life science-related queries Your feedback improves the rigor, clarity, and correctness of AI explanations You deliver consistent, reproducible evaluation artifacts that strengthen model performance Mercor customers trust their AI systems in life sciences and biology contexts because you’ve rigorously evaluated them Why Join Mercor This role allows life sciences PhDs to apply their expertise to the development of high-quality AI systems, influencing how biology is explained and understood at scale. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics and provide reasonable accommodations upon request.
- Write and refine prompts to guide model behavior in the life sciences context
- Evaluate LLM-generated responses to biology-related queries for scientific accuracy and reasoning quality
- Conduct fact-checking using authoritative public sources and domain knowledge
- Annotate model responses by identifying strengths, areas of improvement, and factual or conceptual inaccuracies
- Assess clarity, structure, and appropriateness of explanations for different audiences
- Ensure model responses align with expected conversational behavior and system guidelines
- Apply consistent evaluation standards by following clear taxonomies, benchmarks, and detailed evaluation guidelines
- You hold a PhD in Biology or a closely related life sciences field
- You have deep expertise in one or more of the following sub-domains:
Molecular & Cellular Biology
Organismal Physiology & Development
Microbiology, Immunology & Pathobiology
Ecology, Evolution & Environmental Biology
- Molecular & Cellular Biology
- Organismal Physiology & Development
- Microbiology, Immunology & Pathobiology
- Ecology, Evolution & Environmental Biology
- You have significant experience using large language models (LLMs) and understand how and why people use them
- You have excellent writing skills and can clearly explain complex life sciences concepts
- You have strong attention to detail and consistently notice subtle issues others may overlook
- Experience reviewing or editing technical or academic writing
- Molecular & Cellular Biology
- Organismal Physiology & Development
- Microbiology, Immunology & Pathobiology
- Ecology, Evolution & Environmental Biology
- Prior experience with RLHF, model evaluation, or data annotation work
- Experience teaching, mentoring, or explaining life sciences concepts to non-expert audiences
- Familiarity with evaluation rubrics, benchmarks, or structured review frameworks
- You identify inaccuracies or weak mechanistic explanations for life science-related queries
- Your feedback improves the rigor, clarity, and correctness of AI explanations
- You deliver consistent, reproducible evaluation artifacts that strengthen model performance
- Mercor customers trust their AI systems in life sciences and biology contexts because you’ve rigorously evaluated them
Requirements
- Must be eligible to work in Remote
- Fluent proficiency in English (Written & Verbal)
- Reliable high-speed internet connection
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience
- Demonstrated expertise in STEM
Eligible Languages
Fluent proficiency in English
Compensation Analysis
Shape the "brain" of future AI. By working as a Biology (PhD), you ensure that future models understand the nuance of your field. At $51/hr, it's a lucrative way to preserve the integrity of your profession in the digital age.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is this for freelancers or full-time employees?
Both. Mercor tries to match you with clients who want long-term contractors. Unlike other platforms where you log in and grab small tasks, Mercor matches you with one company for a steady role (e.g., 'Python Tutor for 3 months').
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Is this just labeling data?
No. This is closer to academic research. You will likely be writing or verifying complex proofs, solving advanced equations, or checking the logic of a model's step-by-step reasoning. The goal is to teach AI systems to reason deeply in your field.
Do I need a PhD?
For the highest pay tiers in this category, a PhD (or current enrollment) is usually expected. However, the most important factor is your ability to pass the domain assessment. If you can solve the problems, the degree is secondary.
Is the work continuous?
Work in niche fields is often project-based. A specific "campaign" (e.g., training a model on Quantum Mechanics) might last for a few weeks. It is best to treat this as a high-paying fellowship or grant rather than a permanent daily job.
How soon will I start?
Important: Mercor is a talent marketplace, not a task queue. Applying puts you in a pool of candidates. You will only start working when a specific client (like a major AI lab) selects your profile. This matching process can take weeks.