STEM Computational Scientific Software & Evaluation Design - Computational Bayesian Statistics and Applied Mathematics
Mercor • Remote • Posted 1 days ago
Education
Any
Type
Pay Rate
$85/task
Posted
1d ago
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About the Project
We're building a large-scale evaluation benchmark for advanced AI reasoning across scientific and engineering domains. Our task designers create challenging computational problems that test whether AI systems can use real scientific software tools to solve research-grade problems from querying simulations and interpreting outputs to designing experimental strategies and recovering hidden information from data.
STEM Computational Scientific Software & Evaluation Design -
About the Project
What You'll Do
Domains & Tools We're Hiring For
Computational Bayesian Statistics and Applied Mathematics
What Makes a Strong Candidate
real hands-on experience using the specific software tools
written code
Requirements
Nice to Have
About the Project We're building a large-scale evaluation benchmark for advanced AI reasoning across scientific and engineering domains. Our task designers create challenging computational problems that test whether AI systems can use real scientific software tools to solve research-grade problems from querying simulations and interpreting outputs to designing experimental strategies and recovering hidden information from data. This is not a typical annotation or labeling role. You'll be designing original, graduate-level computational problems grounded in real scientific workflows, calibrating them against frontier AI models, and iterating on problem design until the difficulty is right. What You'll Do You'll design problems that require sophisticated use of domain-specific scientific software libraries. Some problems will require computing precise outputs from fully specified setups — testing whether a solver can correctly implement complex multi-step scientific workflows. Others will require something harder: designing a sequence of queries or experiments to uncover information that isn't directly visible, demanding strategic reasoning about what to measure, how to interpret partial observations, and how to narrow down possibilities efficiently. Each task goes through a calibration loop where it's tested against state-of-the-art AI models, and you'll refine the problem design until the difficulty hits the target range. Domains & Tools We're Hiring For We're especially interested in experts with deep, hands-on experience in the following area: Computational Bayesian Statistics and Applied Mathematics Working with libraries across Bayesian statistics, including PyMC, PyStan, PyJAGS, and CmdStanPy; applied mathematics and numerical PDEs, including FEniCS, FEniCSx, DOLFINx, scikit-fem, FiPy, Devito, and Dedalus; computational topology, including GUDHI; or differential algebra, including DACEyPy. Experience with MCMC, Bayesian modelling, finite element or finite difference methods, mesh-based numerical modelling, computational topology, differential algebra, or other specialised Python-based computational methods in mathematics and statistics is valuable. Candidates do not need experience with all listed packages, but experience with any one of these packages will be highly regarded. *experience with other specialized software for the above domain will also be considered What Makes a Strong Candidate You have graduate-level expertise (MS or PhD preferred) in the domain listed above, with real hands-on experience using the specific software tools, not just theoretical knowledge of the field. You've written code that calls 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 versus superficially complex. Beyond domain expertise, the strongest candidates will be able to think like a puzzle designer: constructing problems where the difficulty comes from reasoning strategy rather than brute computation, where there are multiple plausible approaches 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 domain (MS, PhD, or equivalent research experience) Demonstrated proficiency with at least one of the listed scientific software libraries, evidenced by research publications, open-source contributions, or professional work Strong Python programming skills — you'll be writing problem setups, oracle functions, and solution validators Ability to work independently and iterate on problem designs based on calibration 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 pedagogy or exam/problem-set design Experience with computational reproducibility and containerized environments We consider all qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics and provide reasonable accommodations upon request.
- Graduate-level training in a relevant STEM domain (MS, PhD, or equivalent research experience)
- Demonstrated proficiency with at least one of the listed scientific software libraries, evidenced by research publications, open-source contributions, or professional work
- Strong Python programming skills — you'll be writing problem setups, oracle functions, and solution validators
- Ability to work independently and iterate on problem designs based on calibration feedback
- Comfortable working in a Linux/terminal environment with remote compute sandboxes
- Available for at least 15–20 hours per week
- Experience across multiple listed domains or tools
- Familiarity with benchmark or evaluation design
- Background in scientific pedagogy or exam/problem-set design
- Experience with computational reproducibility and containerized environments
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 Mathematics
Compensation Analysis
Work from anywhere, at any time. This fully remote position ($85/hr) breaks down geographic barriers, allowing you to earn US-competitive rates regardless of your local market. It is a perfect stepping stone for building a career in the data labeling and AI training ecosystem.
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