Astrophysics Software Designer - Expert - AI Trainer

Mercor connects elite creative and technical talent with leading AI research labs. The company is based in San Francisco and has notable investors including Benchmark, General Catalyst, Peter Thiel, Adam D'Angelo, Larry Summers, and Jack Dorsey.

Location: Remote

Salary: $70–$100/hour

Responsibilities

• Design graduate-level computational problems using domain-specific scientific software libraries.
• Evaluate AI systems' ability to solve research-grade problems, from querying simulations to interpreting outputs.
• Develop experimental strategies to recover hidden information from data, emphasizing strategic reasoning.
• Calibrate tasks against state-of-the-art AI models, refining problem designs to achieve target difficulty.
• Work independently and asynchronously to iterate on problem designs based on calibration feedback.
• Utilize astropy and related tools for cosmological calculations and observational data reduction.

Requirements

• Graduate-level training in a relevant STEM domain (MS, PhD, or equivalent research experience).
• Demonstrated proficiency with scientific software libraries, evidenced by research publications or professional work.
• Strong Python programming skills for writing problem setups and solution validators.
• Ability to work in a Linux/terminal environment with remote compute sandboxes.
• Available for at least 15–20 hours per week.

Additional Information

• Application process involves uploading resume, AI interview based on resume, and submitting a form.
• Resources and support available at https://talent.docs.mercor.com/welcome and support@mercor.com.
• Applications are reviewed daily, and completing the application steps is necessary for consideration.