[Contract] Mathematics PhD Coding Experts

1000scholars; United States; Remote; USD 328,000 - 546,000; Part time

Job summary

Mercor is seeking PhD or Masters scientists to author AI evaluation tasks for a new Sci Code benchmark. Remote, independent contractor with a six-week, part-time commitment (20+ hours/week).

You will design problems in mathematics and related domains, source data, and establish grading criteria while calibrating against frontier models. Prior depth in numerical linear algebra, computational mechanics, or computational finance, plus Python or R proficiency, is required.

Qualifications

• PhD in mathematics, applied mathematics, computational mathematics, or closely related field.
• Depth in at least two subdomains: numerical linear algebra, computational mechanics, computational finance.
• Proficiency in Python or R for scientific computing.
• Familiarity with Git/GitHub and running code in Docker with PR workflow.

Responsibilities

• Source your own material: published paper, Kaggle dataset, open-source repo, or self-designed scenario.
• Write scientific prompts based on the input.
• Build the grading criteria that define a correct answer.
• Calibrate against frontier models so the task fails stronger than it succeeds.

Skills

Python

R

GitHub

Docker

Education

PhD in Mathematics

MS in related field

Tools

Docker

GitHub

Job description

[Contract] Mathematics PhD Coding Experts

Mercor

Remote

Mercor is hiring PhD and Master's scientists to author AI evaluation tasks (Sci Code).

Mercor is partnering with leading AI labs on a new benchmark for scientific computing. You will author original, executable research problems that today's frontier models cannot solve.

Domains - depth required in at least two subdomains (with a coding focus)

• Mathematics — numerical linear algebra, computational mechanics, computational finance

What you'll do

• Source your own material: a published paper, a Kaggle dataset, an open-source repository, or a scenario you design
• Write scientific prompts based on the input
• Build the grading criteria that define a correct answer
• Calibrate against frontier models — a task ships only when strong models fail it more often than they succeed

Required

• PhD in mathematics, applied mathematics, computational mathematics, or a closely related field
• Demonstrated depth in at least two of the following subdomains: numerical linear algebra, computational mechanics, computational finance
• Working proficiency in Python or R for scientific computing
• Comfortable with Git/GitHub and running code in Docker — authoring runs through a pull-request workflow with automated quality checks

Preferred

• Publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Prior scientific software or research engineering experience

Engagement

• Duration: 6 weeks
• Commitment: part-time, 20+ hours per week
• Start date: immediate

Contract and Payment Terms

You will be engaged as an independent contractor.

This is a fully remote role that can be completed on your own schedule.

Projects can be extended, shortened, or concluded early depending on needs and performance.

Your work at Mercor will not involve access to confidential or proprietary information from any employer, client, or institution.

Payments are weekly on Stripe or Wise based on services rendered.

Please note: We are unable to support H1-B or STEM OPT candidates at this time.