Astrophysics Researcher - Fully Remote | Upto $100/hr

mercor; India; Remote; INR 9,344,000 - 13,349,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Job summary

Mercor is seeking an Astrophysics & Cosmology Expert to design and test AI-driven problems using real scientific software. This remote contract role requires strong Python, Linux familiarity, and the ability to contribute 15–20 hours per week from anywhere.

You will work with cosmology tools such as Astropy, iterating problem sets, and collaborating asynchronously with distributed teams to ensure rigorous evaluation.

Qualifications

• Graduate-level training in a relevant STEM field (MS/PhD or equivalent).
• Proficiency with scientific software libraries evidenced in publications or work.
• Strong Python skills for problem setups and validators.
• Comfortable in Linux/terminal with remote compute sandboxes.
• Available for at least 15–20 hours per week.
• Experience across multiple domains or tools (preferred).
• Familiarity with benchmark/evaluation design (preferred).
• Background in scientific teaching or exam/problem-set design (preferred).
• Experience with computational reproducibility and containerized environments (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Design challenging computational problems to test AI systems using real scientific software.
• Develop problems requiring strategic planning and multi-step workflows for AI to uncover hidden data.
• Refine problems through iterative testing against state-of-the-art AI models.
• Utilize astropy and related tools for cosmological calculations and data analysis.
• Work independently to enhance problem designs based on feedback.
• Collaborate asynchronously with teams to ensure problem difficulty is optimal.

Skills

Python

Linux/Terminal

Remote work

Problem design

Data analysis

Education

MS/PhD or equivalent research experience

Tools

Astropy

Scientific libraries

Job description

About the job

Mercor connects elite creative and technical talent with leading AI research labs. Headquartered in San Francisco, our investors include Benchmark , General Catalyst , Peter Thiel , Adam D'Angelo , Larry Summers , and Jack Dorsey . Position: Astrophysics & Cosmology Expert Type: Contract Compensation: $70–$100/hour Location: Remote Commitment: 15–20 hours/week

Role Responsibilities

• Design challenging computational problems to test AI systems using real scientific software.


• Develop problems requiring strategic planning and multi-step workflows for AI to uncover hidden data.


• Refine problems through iterative testing against state-of-the-art AI models.


• Utilize astropy and related tools for cosmological calculations and data analysis.


• Work independently to enhance problem designs based on feedback.


• Collaborate asynchronously with teams to ensure problem difficulty is optimal.

Qualifications

• Must-Have: Graduate-level training in a relevant STEM field ( MS, PhD, or equivalent research experience ).


• Must-Have: Proven proficiency with scientific software libraries through research publications or professional work.


• Must-Have: Strong Python skills for writing problem setups and solution validators.


• Must-Have: Comfortable in a Linux/terminal environment with remote compute sandboxes.


• Must-Have: Available for at least 15–20 hours per week.


• Preferred: Experience across multiple domains or tools.


• Preferred: Familiarity with benchmark or evaluation design.


• Preferred: Background in scientific teaching or exam/problem-set design.


• Preferred: Experience with computational reproducibility and containerized environments.