Computational Statistics and Applied Mathematics Expert (R, Python, and Matlab/Scilab) | $70-$90/hr Remote
Overview
You'll design graduate-level computational problems that push AI systems to their limits. This remote contract role involves creating rigorous scientific challenges, testing them against leading AI models, and refining them until they hit the right difficulty. You'll work with specialized statistical and mathematical software like R, Python, and Matlab/Scilab, turning real research workflows into benchmark tasks. Unlike typical data labeling, this role demands deep domain expertise and a puzzle designer's mindset.
What You'll Do6
- 1Design original, graduate-level computational problems rooted in authentic scientific workflows and specialized software.
- 2Craft challenges that demand precise, reproducible numerical answers from fully specified setups, testing multi-step execution.
- 3Build strategic problems where AI must plan experiments or queries to reveal hidden information, requiring careful reasoning.
- 4Run each problem through a testing loop with state-of-the-art AI models and iterate until difficulty matches the target.
- 5Write problem setups, oracle functions, and solution validators in Python to support evaluation.
- 6Collaborate with the team to ensure benchmark quality and consistency.
Requirements6
- 1MS or PhD in statistics, applied mathematics, or a related quantitative field; PhD preferred, or MS with 10+ years of experience.
- 2Hands-on expertise with one or more specialized computational packages from the R/Python/Matlab/Scilab ecosystem, demonstrated through publications, open-source work, or professional projects.
- 3Strong Python programming ability for writing problem setups, validators, and testing scripts.
- 4Comfort navigating Linux terminal environments and remote compute sandboxes.
- 5Ability to work autonomously and iteratively refine problem designs based on feedback.
- 6Availability of at least 15-20 hours per week for this ongoing contract.
Who Should Apply
You're a statistician or applied mathematician who loves turning tricky scientific questions into elegant computational puzzles. You have deep, practical experience with specialized analysis packages and enjoy finding the edge cases where tools break. You're excited to test cutting-edge AI models and craft problems that reward clever reasoning, not just raw compute. If you've designed problem sets, built benchmarks, or contributed to open-source statistical software, this role is a natural fit.
Salary Insight
$70-$90 per hour, depending on your expertise and domain.
Location
Required Skills
Application Tip
Highlight a specific problem you've solved with a specialized R package or Python library, and explain how you would turn it into a benchmark for AI.
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