Material Science PhD Coding Experts
Mercor • Remote
Education
PhD
Type
Hourly
Pay Rate
$70/hr
Listed
42d ago
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From the Mercor listing
Mercor is hiring PhD and Master's scientists to author AI evaluation tasks (Sci Code)
Mercor is partnering with leading AI labs on a new benchmark for scientific computing. You will author original, executable research problems that today's frontier models cannot solve.
Domains — depth required in at least two subdomains (with a coding focus)
- Materials science — semiconductor materials, molecular modeling
What you'll do
Source your own material: a published paper, a Kaggle dataset, an open-source repository, or a scenario you design
Write scientific prompts based on the input
Build the grading criteria that define a correct answer
Calibrate against frontier models — a task ships only when strong models fail it more often than they succeed
Required
PhD in materials science, materials engineering, applied physics, chemistry, chemical engineering, or a closely related field
Demonstrated depth in both of the following subdomains: semiconductor materials and molecular modeling
Working proficiency in Python, R, or another relevant programming language for scientific computing
Comfortable with Git/GitHub and running code in Docker — authoring runs through a pull-request workflow with automated quality checks
Preferred
Publications in peer-reviewed journals
Prior scientific software or research engineering experience
Engagement
Duration: 6 weeks
Commitment: part-time, 20+ hours per week
Start date: immediate
Process
Upload your resume and application form
A 25-minute conversational interview covering your background, experience, and motivations
Follow up within a few days with next steps and onboarding
Apply today and put your research expertise to work building the next generation of scientific AI.
Requirements
- Must be eligible to work in Remote
- Fluent proficiency in English (Written & Verbal)
- Reliable high-speed internet connection
- PhD's degree or equivalent professional experience
- Demonstrated expertise in Software Engineering
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 →Interview Prep
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Why this role
This Material Science PhD Coding Experts role pays $70/hr for your Software Engineering judgment directly, without requiring case files, client meetings, or firm overhead to get there.
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 Software Engineering work look like for a Material Science PhD Coding Experts?
Tasks here are scoped to Software Engineering, not generic labeling. As a Material Science PhD Coding Experts, expect to draw on real domain judgment (evaluating outputs, correcting errors, or providing expert reasoning specific to Software Engineering) rather than following a one-size-fits-all rubric. If you don't have hands-on Software Engineering background, this is likely not the right listing to start with.
What specific skills does this listing call for?
Coding, Python, 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 $70/hr, an hourly rate. 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.