What the work actually is

You are the domain check on a model. The tasks are usually one of three things:

  • Writing hard problems. You write questions in your field that a model gets wrong, with a worked solution another expert can verify. This is common in chemistry, biology and computational roles.
  • Grading model answers. You read two or more AI answers, score them against a rubric and write a short reason. "The mechanism is plausible but the stoichiometry is off" is the kind of note projects want.
  • Auditing tasks and outputs. For machine learning and computational roles, you review code, analyses and task designs and say whether they are correct and well specified.

For the general picture of how these tasks work, see what an AI trainer does.

What it pays: ranges listed on roles we track

On 26 October 2026, 159 open roles match this guide and 129 of them list an hourly rate in US dollars. The ranges listed on roles we track run from $20 to $400 an hour. Taking the midpoint of each range, half of the roles sit between $40 and $95 an hour, with a median of $70.

These are the ranges written in the postings, not what anyone earned. A wide range usually means pay depends on your field, your seniority or the project. Some postings list only a top rate, and some list no hourly rate at all. The list below also includes some applied machine learning and data roles that are not aimed at PhDs, so read each posting.

What they screen for

  • Degree. The Meridial chemistry listing calls a master's or PhD in chemistry or a close field ideal, and the biology listing says a PhD in biology or a close life-science field is ideal. Both name publications, wet-lab or field research, or hands-on computational work as signs of fit.
  • Research record. The micro1 research scientist listing in computer science and computational physics prefers late-stage PhD candidates, postdocs and early-career academics up to 5 years after the PhD, with a recent publication record. Other roles do not ask for this, so read the posting.
  • Licence. Science roles do not ask for one. Degree and evidence of research are what they check.
  • An AI interview. micro1 runs a recorded interview with an AI interviewer, usually 20 to 40 minutes, tailored to the role. Read the micro1 AI interview guide before you start it.
  • ID verification. After the interview you verify your identity. See what happens after the interview.

How long it takes to get started

The application steps are quick: the interview is under an hour, and ID checks clear in minutes or, for some documents, up to 72 hours. The wait that matters comes after that, because you only get paid work when a project picks you.

No platform publishes a typical wait for scientists. Candidate reports are mixed: some start within days, others wait weeks, and some are never matched. We cannot tell you which one you will be. Niche fields can wait longer between projects than general ones.

The honest downsides

  • It is project work and it can end. micro1 says roles continue as long as the client has work. When a project closes, the hours stop.
  • Hours vary. Some weeks are full and some are empty. The micro1 research scientist listing is flexible, part-time or full-time, and others pay per task.
  • You are a contractor. The Meridial listings say you supply your own computer and internet and that benefits such as health insurance and paid leave do not apply. You also handle your own taxes. See micro1 payments and taxes.
  • It does not replace a research salary. Plan on it as extra income unless you have seen a steady stream of it for months.
  • Check your institution. A university, lab or employer may have rules on outside work and on intellectual property. That is for you to confirm.

Roles open now that match

This list is built from the daily copy of public job lists on this site, so it changes as roles open and close. Each title opens the role page.

15 of 159 roles shown, best listed rate first. Search all roles for "scientist".

Where to apply

Pick a role above and follow its page to the posting. For micro1 roles you can also start from micro1's full job list (referral link).

Other professions: doctors and lawyers.

Sources

  • Public job lists of the platforms named above, copy held by this site, 26 October 2026
  • micro1, "Understanding your expert agreement", checked October 2026
  • Listings: micro1 Research Scientist - Computer Science & Computational Physics; Meridial Biology Specialist and Chemistry Specialist, as read by this site

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