Computational Astrophysics & Cosmology Expert
Mercor • Remote
Education
PhD
Type
Hourly
Pay Rate
$70–$100/hr
Listed
116d ago
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- Weekly hours
- 15–20 hrs/week
About this role
From the Mercor listing
Computational Astrophysics & Cosmology Expert
About the Project
We're building a large-scale benchmark to test how well advanced AI systems can solve hard scientific and engineering problems. As a task designer, you'll create challenging computational problems that check whether AI can use real scientific software to do research-level work — running simulations, interpreting results, designing experiments, and uncovering hidden information from data.
This isn't a typical data-labeling job. You'll design original, graduate-level problems based on real scientific workflows, test them against cutting-edge AI models, and fine-tune them until the difficulty is just right.
What You'll Do
You'll create problems that require skilled use of specialized scientific software. Some will ask the AI to compute exact answers from a fully defined setup — testing whether it can correctly carry out complex, multi-step workflows. Others will be harder: the AI must plan a series of queries or experiments to uncover information that isn't directly visible, which means thinking strategically about what to measure, how to read partial results, and how to narrow down the possibilities efficiently.
Each problem goes through a testing loop against state-of-the-art AI models, and you'll refine it until it hits the target difficulty.
Domains & Tools We're Hiring For
We're especially interested in experts with deep, hands-on experience in:
Astrophysics & Cosmology — working with astropy and related tools for cosmological calculations, angular power spectra, galaxy survey analysis, and observational data reduction pipelines.
Experience with other specialized software in this domain will also be considered.
What Makes a Strong Candidate
You have graduate-level expertise (MS or PhD preferred) in the domain above, with real hands-on experience using these tools — not just theoretical knowledge. You've written code using these libraries to solve actual research problems, and you understand where they break, what their edge cases are, and what makes a problem genuinely hard rather than just complicated.
Beyond domain expertise, the best candidates think like puzzle designers: building problems where the challenge comes from smart reasoning rather than raw computation, where several approaches seem plausible but only careful analysis reveals the right one, and where surface-level pattern matching won't get you to the answer.
Requirements
Graduate-level training in a relevant STEM field (MS, PhD, or equivalent research experience)
Proven proficiency with at least one of the listed scientific software libraries, shown through research publications, open-source contributions, or professional work
Strong Python skills — you'll be writing problem setups, oracle functions, and solution validators
Ability to work independently and refine problem designs based on feedback
Comfortable working in a Linux/terminal environment with remote compute sandboxes
Available for at least 15–20 hours per week
Nice to Have
Experience across multiple listed domains or tools
Familiarity with benchmark or evaluation design
Background in scientific teaching or exam/problem-set design
Experience with computational reproducibility and containerized environments
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.
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 Generalist listings we've tracked, contracts in this domain typically run about 6.8 weeks. Actual length varies by project, but this gives you a realistic baseline going in.
Based on 10 extracted Mercor Generalist listings.
Why this role
At $70–$100/hr, this Computational Astrophysics & Cosmology Expert position compensates Generalist expertise on its own terms, the kind of rate that would otherwise only show up inside a law firm, hospital, or research lab.
Skills and categories
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Common questions
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.
Is Mercor for freelancers or full-time contractors?
Mercor places you with one client for a defined engagement, like 'Python Tutor for 3 months', rather than having you grab small tasks from a shared queue. Most roles function as steady contract work, not one-off gigs.
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 asynchronous AI training work mean in practice?
No set hours, no check-ins, no meetings. You log in when you want, pick up an available task, complete it, and submit; nobody is waiting on you in real time. That's different from remote employment, where you're expected online during business hours. The tradeoff: you're competing with others for available tasks, so an empty queue means there's simply nothing to do until more work is released.
What does Generalist work look like for a Computational Astrophysics & Cosmology Expert?
Tasks here are scoped to Generalist, not generic labeling. As a Computational Astrophysics & Cosmology Expert, expect to draw on real domain judgment (evaluating outputs, correcting errors, or providing expert reasoning specific to Generalist) rather than following a one-size-fits-all rubric. If you don't have hands-on Generalist background, this is likely not the right listing to start with.
What specific skills does this listing call for?
Expert and AI Training 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 many hours per week does this role require?
Based on the listing, this role is scoped at 15–20 hours per week. Treat this as a real commitment expectation, not a loose estimate.
How much does this specific role pay?
This listing is posted at $70–$100/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.
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.
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.