AI Research Associate - Part-Time on Mac (MSc/PhD)

Mercor; San Francisco (CA); Remote; USD 34,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

Mercor is seeking STEM researchers who are pursuing MSc or PhD to support a research project with a leading AI lab. You will work through real research workflows on your Mac to help benchmark and improve cutting-edge AI models.

This role offers a flexible, part-time commitment of 10–20 hours per week with an immediate start. Responsibilities include literature review, data analysis, modeling, and technical writing to create high-quality training data for advanced AI models.

Qualifications

• Must own a MacBook or Mac with an Apple M-series chip or Intel processor, running macOS 15+.
• 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 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.

Responsibilities

• Complete and narrate real research tasks (literature review, data analysis, modeling, technical writing) on your Mac to create high-quality training data for advanced AI models.
• Responsibilities are clearly structured with low pressure compared to internships or full-time consulting roles.
• Immediate start preferred.

Skills

MacOS proficiency

Literature review

Python / Jupyter

MATLAB

R

LaTeX

Data analysis software

Communication skills

Summary writing

Education

MSc or PhD in STEM

Tools

Python/Jupyter

MATLAB

R

LaTeX

Job description

Mercor is seeking STEM researchers who are pursuing MSc or PhD to support a research project with a leading AI lab. You will work through real research workflows on your Mac to help benchmark and improve cutting-edge AI models.

This role offers a flexible, part-time commitment of 10–20 hours per week with an immediate start. Responsibilities include literature review, data analysis, modeling, and technical writing to create high-quality training data for advanced AI models.