Chemistry Expert (PhD, Master's) $80/hr | (Remote - Flexible)

Role Highlights

• This position will pay between $60-$80/hr based on experience
• You will be engaged as an independent contractor.
• This is a fully remote role that can be completed on your own schedule.

Role Overview Mercor is collaborating with a leading AI research lab on a project to advance frontier chemistry problem-solving. We are looking for chemistry experts who hold a PhD or Master’s degree, or have experience participating in the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO). The goal of this project is to create novel, clear, and challenging Olympiad-style chemistry problems that cause the frontier AI models to fail (i.e. generate an incorrect response) and support the training of cutting-edge AI models. This is a short-term, high impact, remote opportunity for those excited about applying their expertise to frontier AI research, with the possibility of extension based on performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Write original & advanced IChO-style chemistry problems to challenge frontier AI models
• Evaluate AI-generated solutions for correctness, clarity and style and identify where models fail
• Identify logical flaws, incomplete reasoning, or insufficiently-rigorous proofs
• Provide clear, concise, and correct solutions & chain of thought reasoning using proper LaTeX formatting
• Maintain extremely high standards of precision and problem difficulty

Required Qualifications

Note: Applicants must be highly proficient in writing and formatting documents using LaTeX You are a good fit for the project if you have any of the following experiences:

• Have a Master’s or PhD in chemistry (or a related field), or are an Olympiad participant or medalist in the IChO (preferred) or equivalent competitions (AsChO, EChO, EUSO, IJSO, NChO, UKChO, USNCO, CCO, INChO, RChO and MChO).

Other qualifications:

• Deep understanding of your domain’s core theoretical and experimental concepts
• Ability to articulate reasoning and derivations clearly in written form
• Strong ability to evaluate the rigor and complexity of chemistry problems
• Rigorous attention to detail in verifying solutions

More about the Opportunity

• Expected commitment: 20 hours/week minimum; up to 40 hours/week available
• Approximate project length: ~2 months, with extension potential
• Rolling start dates; setup typically within 1–2 days of approval

Application Process

• Submit your resume or CV highlighting chemistry background and relevant achievements
• Complete a brief interview (20–30 minutes)
• Submit a short form detailing your experience writing problems and competing in chemistry competitions
• Selected applicants will be contacted within a few days with next steps

We consider all qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics and provide reasonable accommodations upon request. Contract and Payment Terms

• You will be engaged as an independent contractor.
• This is a fully remote role that can be completed on your own schedule.
• Projects can be extended, shortened, or concluded early depending on needs and performance.
• Your work at Mercor will not involve access to confidential or proprietary information from any employer, client, or institution.
• Payments are weekly on Stripe or Wise based on services rendered.
• Please note: We are unable to support H1-B or STEM OPT candidates at this time.

About Mercor

• Mercor partners with leading AI labs and enterprises to train frontier models using human expertise. You will work on projects that focus on training and enhancing AI systems. You will be paid competitively, collaborate with leading researchers, and help shape the next generation of AI systems in your area of expertise.

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