Cybersecurity Labeling Expert
Mercor β’ Remote β’ Posted 17 days ago
Education
Any
Type
Pay Rate
$125/task
Posted
17d ago
β Applying through this link gives you a verified candidate referral.
Referrals from verified candidates give your profile a visibility boost and help support our platform at no cost to you.
This position is hosted on an external talent platform. Please only apply for this position if it fits your skills and interests.
Applying to Mercor?
We support strong candidates applying here. Set up your talent profile so we know who you are.
Set up your profile βAbout this Role
Cyberattacks cause billions in damages annually β ransomware cripples hospitals, data exfiltration exposes millions. As a Cybersecurity Labeling Expert, you'll be on the front lines of AI safety: reviewing real-world conversations flagged as potentially malicious and determining whether they represent genuine threats. Your judgments directly train the systems that keep AI out of the hands of bad actors.
Analyze flagged AI conversations β ranging from plain text to code-heavy exchanges β and apply your security expertise to assess intent and harm across four domains:
Location Requirements
About the role
What you'll do
Why it matters
What we're looking for
Logistics
Minimum commitment: at least 20 hours per week
Cyberattacks cause billions in damages annually β ransomware cripples hospitals, data exfiltration exposes millions. As a Cybersecurity Labeling Expert, you'll be on the front lines of AI safety: reviewing real-world conversations flagged as potentially malicious and determining whether they represent genuine threats. Your judgments directly train the systems that keep AI out of the hands of bad actors. Analyze flagged AI conversations β ranging from plain text to code-heavy exchanges β and apply your security expertise to assess intent and harm across four domains: Scaled data exfiltration Worms / self-replicating code Local & remote exploits Some conversations may involve POC exploit development; your expertise will determine what crosses the line. The difference between a security researcher and a threat actor often comes down to context, specificity, and intent β exactly what automated systems struggle to detect. Your ground-truth labels directly improve the classifiers that decide what AI will and won't help with. Hands-on offensive security background: red team, malware analysis, pen testing, or exploit research Ability to read between the lines β distinguishing legitimate security work from genuine attack intent Comfort interpreting code-heavy conversations Tier 2β3 experience: Masters / early-career through Senior / Principal You're a strong fit if you've done red team consulting, threat intelligence analysis, vulnerability research, or AI safety labeling where nuanced judgment under ambiguity is routine. ~2β3 week engagement, remote Minimum commitment: at least 20 hours per week β this is a firm floor, not a target. Candidates who cannot commit to 20+ hours per week will not be considered. Requires access to a secure review interface and ability to handle PII Compensation: $100β$150/hr depending on experience tier We consider all qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics and provide reasonable accommodations upon request.
- Scaled data exfiltration
- Ransomware
- Worms / self-replicating code
- Local & remote exploits
- Hands-on offensive security background: red team, malware analysis, pen testing, or exploit research
- Ability to read between the lines β distinguishing legitimate security work from genuine attack intent
- Comfort interpreting code-heavy conversations
- Tier 2β3 experience: Masters / early-career through Senior / Principal
- ~2β3 week engagement, remote
- Minimum commitment: at least 20 hours per week β this is a firm floor, not a target. Candidates who cannot commit to 20+ hours per week will not be considered.
- Requires access to a secure review interface and ability to handle PII
- Compensation: $100β$150/hr depending on experience tier
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 Software Engineering
Compensation Analysis
Shape the "brain" of future AI. By working as a Cybersecurity Labeling Expert, you ensure that future models understand the nuance of your field. At $125/hr, it's a lucrative way to preserve the integrity of your profession in the digital age.
Skills & Categories
Explore other opportunities in related specializations:
Related Jobs
Browse All Jobs from Mercor
Discover more opportunities on Mercor that match your skills and interests.
View All Mercor Jobs βCommunity Reviews
Share your experience with Mercor
Help other candidates make better decisions by leaving a review.
Sign in to leave a reviewLeave your review
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').
I'm not comfortable on camera. Can I still apply?
No. The application requires a video interview with an AI avatar. The AI asks you questions about your resume, and the video is shared with potential clients to prove your communication skills.
Does it cost money to join?
No. You should never pay to join these platforms. Mercor makes money by charging the client a fee on top of your hourly rate.
Is this traditional consulting?
Not exactly. You act as a "Teacher" for advanced AI. Instead of client deliverables, you are given complex scenarios to evaluate. You grade the AI's logic, correct its hallucinations, and provide expert-level reasoning. Your job is to train the model to think like you do.
Why is the pay so high?
This role requires deep, verified expertise. General knowledge isn't enough; the model is specifically being trained on "edge cases"βthe rare, difficult, or highly technical nuances that only a senior professional would know.
What is the workload like?
This is cognitive, deep work. Unlike simple data labeling, you might spend 45-60 minutes on a single task, researching citations or verifying complex calculations. Quality is prioritized over speed.
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.