Data Science Expert
Mercor • Remote
Education
Any
Type
hourly
Pay Rate (by country)
$120–$170/hr
Listed
19d ago
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About this Role
From the Mercor listing
1. Role Overview
Mercor is partnering with a leading AI research organization to engage experienced data scientists for a project focused on evaluating how well AI systems perform real-world data science work. Rather than producing deliverables yourself, you will define what excellent work looks like: designing task-specific grading criteria and scoring completed work samples with rigorous, well-reasoned written justifications.
2. Key Responsibilities
Design precise, task-specific grading criteria for real-world data science deliverables (analyses, models, dashboards, experiment readouts, and written recommendations)
Score AI-generated and human work samples against those criteria, with detailed written justifications for every score
Apply consistent, evidence-based judgment so that scores are reproducible and defensible
Incorporate structured feedback from senior reviewers and iterate quickly on your work
3. Ideal Qualifications
5+ years of professional data science experience in industry
Background in business operations, product, or growth data science at top-tier technology companies
Deep fluency in experiment design and A/B testing, metric definition, SQL/Python analysis, and communicating findings to executive stakeholders
Exceptionally strong written communication
Detail-oriented, consistent, and comfortable having your judgment reviewed and calibrated against peers
Prior experience with AI training, evaluation, or human-data projects is a strong plus
4. Application Process
Submit your resume or relevant technical background to get started
Qualified applicants may be asked to complete a brief technical assessment or submit additional information
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 Data Science
Why This Role
Rare opportunity for top 1% experts. Earn $145/hr contributing to the world's most advanced AI labs. This is one of the few roles where academic precision is valued as highly as commercial output.
Skills & Categories
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Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
Is AI training work the same as traditional consulting?
No. Instead of client deliverables, you're given complex scenarios to evaluate: grading the AI's logic, correcting its hallucinations, and supplying expert-level reasoning it doesn't have on its own. The job is closer to teaching than consulting.
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 Data Science Expert?
Tasks here are scoped to Data Science, not generic labeling. As a Data Science Expert, 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 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.
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.