PhD Scientist - AI Safety Expert

Mercor; Oslo; On-site; NOK 900,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Mercor is looking for PhD-level scientists fluent in English and Norwegian to help improve safety by evaluating how advanced AI models handle specialized topics in Norwegian. No prior AI/ML experience is required as we will train you in the workflow.

You will craft expert prompts in Norwegian, assess model responses for accuracy and safety, and apply structured guidelines to classify prompts and conversations.

Qualifications

• PhD in chemistry, biology, or related field, ongoing or completed.
• Native or near-native fluency in Norwegian, plus business-level written English.
• Deep familiarity with modern laboratory and computational techniques in your subfield.
• Sound judgment around scientific safety and the responsible handling of dual-use information.

Responsibilities

• Write expert-level prompts in Norwegian across specialized scientific topics.
• Evaluate and annotate model responses for scientific accuracy, helpfulness, and appropriate handling of sensitive content.
• Apply structured guidelines to classify prompts and conversations.

Skills

Bilingual Norwegian-English

Scientific writing

Safety awareness

Lab/computational techniques

Education

PhD in Chemistry or Biology or related field

Job description

About the role

We're hiring PhD-level scientists who are proficient bilingual speakers (English & Norwegian) to help make advanced AI models safer. You'll apply your scientific expertise to evaluate and strengthen how these models handle specialized technical topics in Norwegian. No prior AI/ML experience is required — we'll train you on the workflow.

What you'll do

• Write expert-level prompts in Norwegian across specialized scientific topics.
• Evaluate and annotate model responses for scientific accuracy, helpfulness, and appropriate handling of sensitive content.
• Apply structured guidelines to classify prompts and conversations.

What we're looking for

• A PhD in chemistry, biology, or a closely related field — ongoing or completed — with the depth to write prompts across chemical, biological, or radiological and nuclear subject areas.
• Native or near-native fluency in Norwegian, plus business-level written English.
• Deep familiarity with modern laboratory and computational techniques in your subfield.
• Sound judgment around scientific safety and the responsible handling of dual-use information.

Nice to have

• Based in Norway. This is a preference, not a requirement — applicants based elsewhere are welcome.
• Radiological and nuclear coverage from a chemistry background is welcome — radiochemistry, nuclear chemistry, energetic materials, or radiation physics all qualify.
• Demonstrated depth in a specific subfield rather than broad coverage — for example organic or inorganic synthesis, molecular biology, microbiology, virology, or genetics.
• Research or coursework touching on chemical safety and security, biosafety and biosecurity, or hazardous-materials handling.
• Experience reviewing, grading, or red-teaming technical content.

Project Timeline

• Start date: Immediate