Data Scientist (Masters)

Alignerr; New Zealand; Remote; NZD 83,000 - 152,000; Part time

Job summary

Alignerr is seeking a Masters- or PhD-level Data Scientist to shape AI systems by crafting rigorous data science problems, producing precise reference solutions, and auditing model outputs. You will evaluate code across Python, R, SQL, and ML libraries to ensure accuracy and robustness.

The role is an hourly remote contract requiring 10–40 hours per week, with flexible scheduling and ongoing project renewals. Strong writing skills and autonomous work style are essential.

Qualifications

• Masters or PhD in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, or a quantitative discipline.
• Strong foundation in supervised and unsupervised learning, deep learning, inference, and model evaluation.
• Ability to communicate algorithmic and statistical findings clearly in writing.
• Attention to detail and ability to work independently without supervision.

Responsibilities

• Design advanced challenges spanning hyperparameter optimization, Bayesian inference, cross-validation, and dimensionality reduction.
• Author ground-truth solutions with Python/R scripts, SQL queries, and derivations.
• Audit AI-generated code for accuracy, efficiency, and methodological soundness using ML libraries.
• Identify and document reasoning failures, data leakage, overfitting, or biased conclusions to improve models.
• Work asynchronously on task-based assignments on your own schedule.

Skills

Python

R

SQL

Supervised/Unsupervised Learning

Deep Learning

Model Evaluation

Communication

Detail-oriented

Independent Work

Education

Masters or PhD in Data Science/Statistics/CS

Tools

Scikit-Learn

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Spark

Job description

Data Scientist (Masters) — AI Data Trainer

About The Role

What if your expertise in machine learning, statistical inference, and data engineering could directly shape how the world's most powerful AI systems reason and solve problems? We're looking for advanced data scientists to challenge, audit, and refine cutting-edge AI models — exposing their blind spots, correcting their reasoning, and helping build AI that genuinely understands the science behind the code.

This is a fully remote, flexible contract role designed for Masters and PhD-level data scientists who want to do meaningful, intellectually stimulating work on their own schedule.

• Organization: Alignerr
• Type: Hourly Contract
• Location: Remote
• Commitment: 10–40 hours/week

What You'll Do

• Design Advanced Challenges: Create rigorous, domain-specific data science problems spanning hyperparameter optimization, Bayesian inference, cross-validation strategies, dimensionality reduction, and more — problems sophisticated enough to genuinely test the limits of frontier AI models
• Author Ground-Truth Solutions: Develop precise, step-by-step technical solutions — including Python/R scripts, SQL queries, and mathematical derivations — that serve as authoritative reference answers
• Audit AI-Generated Code: Evaluate model outputs using libraries like Scikit-Learn, PyTorch, and TensorFlow for technical accuracy, computational efficiency, and methodological soundness
• Identify Reasoning Failures: Pinpoint and document logical flaws in AI reasoning — data leakage, overfitting, improper handling of imbalanced datasets, or flawed statistical conclusions — and provide structured feedback that directly improves model behavior
• Work Independently: Complete task-based assignments asynchronously, entirely on your own schedule

Who You Are

• Currently pursuing or holding a Masters or PhD in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, or a quantitative discipline with heavy emphasis on data analysis
• Deeply grounded in core data science fundamentals: supervised and unsupervised learning, deep learning, statistical inference, and model evaluation
• Experienced with Python, R, SQL, and standard ML libraries (Scikit-Learn, PyTorch, TensorFlow, or similar)
• Able to communicate complex algorithmic concepts and statistical findings clearly and precisely in writing
• Exceptionally detail-oriented — you catch syntax errors, mathematical inconsistencies, and flawed statistical conclusions without being prompted
• Self-motivated and reliable when working independently without supervision
• No prior AI training or annotation experience required

Nice to Have

• Familiarity with big data technologies such as Spark or Hadoop
• Experience in NLP or large-scale model evaluation
• Background in MLOps, CI/CD pipelines for ML, or production-level data science workflows
• Prior experience with data annotation, data quality assurance, or evaluation systems

Why Join Us

• Work directly with industry-leading AI research labs on genuinely frontier problems
• Fully remote and flexible — work when and where it suits you, with no fixed schedule
• Freelance autonomy: high agency, task-based structure, and global reach
• Engage deeply with state-of-the‑art language and reasoning models in ways most data scientists never get to
• Potential for ongoing contract renewals as new AI projects launch