Machine Learning / Data Science Expert

What you'll do

You take on model-building tasks of the kind a data scientist or ML engineer would meet at work, assigned project by project. The ad lists four strands: building, training and evaluating machine learning models for business applications; developing predictive models with supervised and unsupervised methods; tuning hyperparameters and engineering features; and writing up the methods, assumptions and technical approach.

The ad frames the work as tasks "similar to those performed" in data science, ML engineering, AI research or analytics roles. It does not spell out what AfterQuery does with the results, so read the company page for the wider picture.

Who fits

• 1 to 3 years of professional experience in data science, machine learning or a related field
• A Master's degree in computer science, statistics, mathematics, data science or a related quantitative field
• At least one first-author publication, or first-author equivalent work; this is listed as a requirement, which is unusual for a role pitched at 1 to 3 years of experience
• Strong problem-solving and the ability to work independently
• Preferred: experience as a teaching assistant for machine learning, data science and applied statistics courses, with a focus on programming and empirical analysis

What it pays

The board headlines $80/hr. The ad's own text says project-based pay starts at an estimated $60/hour and can go up to $100/hour, so this listing records that range. The ad does not say what decides where in the range you land.

Worth knowing

Good:

• Work is asynchronous and you choose which projects to accept
• A defined, short engagement of 2 to 3 weeks, which suits someone who wants a contained project
• Stated pay range with a clear ceiling

Less good:

• The commitment is expected at 10 to 20 hours a week for projects you accept, so it is not a casual side gig
• Only 2 to 3 weeks of work is described, so do not count on it as steady income
• The first-author publication and Master's requirements will exclude many people with the right practical experience
• The ad does not publish payment terms or its hiring steps; see the company page for how AfterQuery pays and onboards

About this listing

Read from the AfterQuery Experts board on 18 October 2026. The role was posted on 23 January 2026 and is still open. The 1 to 3 years of experience, Master's degree, first-author requirement, 10 to 20 hour commitment and the $60 to $100 range are the ad's own text. See AfterQuery.