Scientific Computing Research Expert

What you'll do

You author research-grade evaluation tasks for AI models from computational work you have actually run, debugged or been paid to do: data reduction, model fitting, simulation setup, instrument data processing, numerical solvers or inverse problems. The ad wants difficulty to come from the science, not artificially withheld information.

AfterQuery is commissioning tasks across five broad areas: life sciences (biology, ecology, medicine, neuroscience); physical sciences (astronomy, chemistry, materials science, physics); earth sciences (atmospheric, environmental, geosciences, ocean); mathematical sciences (applied mathematics, formal mathematics, operations research, statistics); and engineering sciences (chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical). Unlike the single-field task-author roles, this one is multi-discipline.

You also specify the metrics for a strong solution (without publishing exact passing thresholds), revise after structured review feedback, and may optionally review and calibrate other experts' tasks.

Who fits

• Currently pursuing or holding a PhD with active hands-on research; a Master's also qualifies if research-active (thesis-based enrollment, an active RA or lab role, a real publication, or a clear PhD trajectory). The ad says a Master's followed by a purely industry role with no research component is not a fit
• Working proficiency in Python, enough to run and debug your own computational work
• Able to turn your own research into a well-specified evaluation task and to work independently
• Preferred: current PhD student, postdoc or faculty actively publishing; demonstrated experience in scientific computing, data analysis, simulation or numerical methods; prior annotation, labelling or AI/ML evaluation work

What it pays

The board headlines $75/hr. The ad pays $300 per approved task, roughly 4 hours of work each, with no cap on tasks. It adds that most tasks take a round or two of revision before approval, with specific feedback and the chance to resubmit, so plan for that when judging the real hourly rate.

The ad does not publish payment terms; the AfterQuery company page describes how contractors are paid.

What applying involves

The form asks for a full list of published papers and institutional affiliation(s), both optional. The ad states all accepted experts undergo standard background and identity verification. It does not mention a work-authorization or visa restriction.

Worth knowing

Good:

• Flexible, task-based and uncapped
• Open to any of five broad science and engineering areas
• Optional application fields, and the ad promises specific review feedback with resubmission

Less good:

• Pay is per approved task, and most tasks need a revision round or two
• A PhD, or a research-active Master's, is expected; industry-only backgrounds are not a fit
• You must be able to run and debug your own code in Python

About this listing

Read from the AfterQuery Experts board on 18 October 2026; posted on the board 3 September 2026. Pay and eligibility are AfterQuery's own text. See AfterQuery.