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STEM Researchers - MSc/PhD (Must own MacBook)
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About the Role
Mercor is looking for STEM researchers who hold or are currently pursuing an MSc or PhD to support a research project with a leading AI lab. You will work through real research workflows on your own Mac to help benchmark and improve cutting-edge AI models.
What You'll Do
- Part-time commitment of approximately 10-20 hours per week
- Responsibilities include completing and narrating real research tasks (literature review, data analysis, modeling, technical writing) on your Mac to create high-quality training data for advanced AI models
- Clearly structured responsibilities without the high pressure typically found in internships or full-time consulting roles
- Immediate start preferred
- Submit your resume, followed by a brief (3-minute) conversation with our AI interviewer to assess research and reasoning skills
- Complete a brief paid assessment to further evaluate your fit for the role
- You will receive follow-up communication within a few days regarding your application status and next steps
You're a Good Fit If You
- Required: You must own a MacBook or Mac with an Apple M-series chip or Intel processor, running macOS 15 or higher. Applicants without a Mac cannot be considered.
- Currently pursuing or have completed an MSc or PhD in a STEM field (e.g., physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, computer science, engineering)
- Hands-on research experience with tools such as Python/Jupyter, MATLAB, R, LaTeX, reference managers, or lab/data analysis software
- Strong online research skills and ability to gather and clearly summarize information from diverse sources
- Ability to clearly explain your reasoning while you work
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Role Highlights
Pay & Payout
Independent contractor engagement. Apply via the link below - Mercor handles onboarding and pays weekly via Stripe or Wise.
Common Questions
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About Mercor for this role
We track 354 open Mercor roles on AI Work Expert. Across 479 hourly listings, the typical Mercor rate runs from $64 to $90 an hour; this role lists $50-$60/h. Our reliability rating for Mercor is very reliable, with an onboarding time of 1-3 weeks (interview + assessment + trial).
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