Remote Computational Chemist for AI Problem Design

Mercor; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; GBP 73,000 - 104,000; Part time

Job summary

Mercor is seeking a Computational Chemistry & Electronic Structure Expert for a remote, contract role with 15–20 hours per week. You will design and evaluate AI-system tests using real scientific software and Python workflows, operating in a Linux environment.

The ideal candidate holds MS/PhD or equivalent research experience, is proficient with PySCF, and can work independently to refine problem designs and validators. Familiarity with Linux is essential.

Qualifications

• Graduate-level training in a STEM field (MS/PhD or equivalent).
• Proficiency with scientific libraries like PySCF.
• Strong Python skills and ability to work independently.
• Comfortable in a Linux/terminal environment.

Responsibilities

• Design challenging computational problems to evaluate AI systems using real scientific software.
• Develop problems requiring strategic planning and execution of complex, multi-step workflows.
• Refine problems through iterative testing against state-of-the-art AI models to achieve target difficulty.
• Collaborate with AI research teams to ensure problems test reasoning and strategic thinking.
• Work independently to design and improve problem setups and solution validators using Python.
• Operate in a Linux/terminal environment with remote compute sandboxes.

Skills

Python programming

Independent work

Strong analytical thinking

Graduate-level training

Education

MS/PhD or equivalent

Tools

PySCF

Linux/Terminal

Job description

Mercor is seeking a Computational Chemistry & Electronic Structure Expert for a remote, contract role with 15–20 hours per week. You will design and evaluate AI-system tests using real scientific software and Python workflows, operating in a Linux environment.

The ideal candidate holds MS/PhD or equivalent research experience, is proficient with PySCF, and can work independently to refine problem designs and validators. Familiarity with Linux is essential.