Computational Engineering Researcher (Task Author)
Listing checked October 16, 2026 · pay as published by AfterQuery
Overview
AfterQuery is assembling a network of engineering researchers who turn their own computational work into evaluation tasks for AI models. You might build a task from a finite-element solver, a CFD model, a reaction-engineering simulation, a physiological model, or a structural or electromagnetic study you wrote and validated. Each task pairs a main problem with linked subproblems, a Python reference solution, and tests that check results. The engineering science supplies the difficulty, not hidden information. Work happens on your own schedule, and accepted tasks pay $200 each, with each task taking about 2 hours.
What You'll Do6
- 1Design evaluation tasks from your own computational engineering research, for example a finite-element solver, CFD run, or physiological model.
- 2Write a main problem and connected subproblems that test real scientific computing skill.
- 3Set the metrics a strong solution must meet, while keeping exact pass thresholds private.
- 4Build a Python reference solution and tests that confirm the expected result.
- 5Rework each task after structured review feedback until reviewers approve it.
- 6Review and calibrate tasks from other experts in your domain if you choose to help with that step.
Requirements8
- 1Enrolled as a research-track Bachelor's student, Master's or PhD student, postdoc, or recent graduate in mechanical, aerospace, chemical, biomedical, civil, environmental, or electrical engineering with a computational focus.
- 2Show hands-on coding, with Python as the main language, to implement or validate engineering models and solvers. Commercial tools alone, such as ANSYS, COMSOL, or Abaqus, do not meet this bar.
- 3Turn your own computational research into a well-specified task with a reference solution and tests.
- 4Manage your own time and work without a fixed schedule.
- 5Preferred: experience developing finite-element, CFD, or other numerical solvers.
- 6Preferred: public code, a thesis, or papers that show your computational work.
- 7Preferred: prior data annotation, data labeling, or AI/ML evaluation work.
- 8Work as an independent contractor without visa sponsorship. F-1 students on OPT or CPT do not qualify.
Who Should Apply
Researchers in computational mechanics, CFD, aerospace numerical modeling, chemical or biomedical modeling, structural mechanics, environmental modeling, or electromagnetics fit this role. You need your own code, with Python as the main language, and a real solver or model from your research to turn into a task.
Salary Insight
The listing posts $100.00/hr. AfterQuery also states $200 per approved task, and each task takes about 2 hours, so the per-hour figure matches the per-task rate. You can take on as many approved tasks as you want, and the work is independent-contractor pay rather than a salary.
Pay and demand for Software Engineering roles
AggregatedTypical pay
$70/hour
This role
$100/hr
Most Software Engineering roles pay $42–$98 per hour. This role's pay sits above that range.
Based on 1,121 similar roles that publish pay · 303 publish only a top rate; those count at the rate they gave
Rates shown per hour. Yearly and monthly pay converted; one-time fees and non-USD pay are not included.
- Live similar roles
- 1,298
- Listed in last 30 days
- 534
- Remote
- 97%
Hiring most right now: micro1 (381) · SME Careers (254) · Mercor (157)
Most requested skills · share of roles
- ai training12%
- ai evaluation11%
- llm evaluation11%
- data annotation9%
Figures from Software Engineering roles live on NearSkill when this page loaded. A role can close before you apply, so check the listing itself.
Compare your resume against these rolesLocation
Compensation
$100/hr
Required Skills
Application Tip
Link to code you wrote, not just a description of software you used, and prepare one calculation from your research that can become a task: inputs, expected output, and tests. Mention your institutional affiliation, degree program, year, field, and work authorization so reviewers can check eligibility.
How NearSkill helps you apply
1. Check your job match
We compare your resume with the job requirements to help you understand how well your experience fits.
2. Continue to the employer’s website
We’ll direct you to the employer’s application portal, where you can complete the application.
3. Get updates by email
If NearSkill is handling follow-up for this role, we’ll email you when there’s an update on your screening.
Want to check your fit first?
See how your resume matches this role before applying.
Check my job matchSimilar open positions
Explore active roles that match your skills and interests.
AfterQuery
VerifiedComputational Mathematics Researcher (Task Author)
AfterQuery builds a network of researchers who turn real computational math into evaluation tasks for AI models. You would take a numerical solver, optimization routine, simulation, or statistical model from your own work and shape it into a main problem, connected subproblems, a Python reference solution, and tests. Difficulty should come from the mathematics, not from hidden information. Tasks go through review, and you can also calibrate tasks from other experts. Numerical analysis, optimization, and stochastic processes are some of the areas in demand.
AfterQuery
VerifiedComputational Physics & Astrophysics Researcher (Task Author)
AfterQuery connects physics researchers with paid work authoring evaluation tasks that test AI models on real scientific computing. A task comes from work you have already run and debugged, such as a simulation, a numerical solver, a data-reduction pipeline, or a model fit. Each task contains a main problem, connected subproblems, a Python reference solution, and tests that check the outcome. The physics creates the difficulty, not missing information. Approved tasks pay $200 each, take about two hours, and have no cap on how many you accept.
AfterQuery
VerifiedComputational Research Task Author
AfterQuery builds a bench of researchers who turn their own computational science into evaluation tasks for AI models. You would take a simulation, solver, fitting routine, data-reduction step, or analysis pipeline you have run and shape it into a research-grade problem with subproblems, a reference answer, and tests that check the scientific result. Python serves as the working language, and the scientific depth should come from your domain, whether that means bioinformatics, quantum chemistry, computational astrophysics, or another computational field. Reviewers give structured feedback, and you revise until the task passes approval. The work is task-based, with no fixed hours each week.
AfterQuery
VerifiedComputational Materials Science Researcher (Task Author)
AfterQuery seeks researchers to craft evaluation tasks for AI models based on their own computational materials science work. You'll design problems from simulations or analyses you've already run, like phase-field or CALPHAD models, atomistic simulations, or transport calculations. Each task includes a main problem, subproblems, a Python reference solution, and tests. The role is flexible and task-based, paying $200 per approved task (about two hours each).
AfterQuery
VerifiedComputational Biology & Bioinformatics Researcher (Task Author)
AfterQuery builds a network of scientific researchers who create evaluation tasks for AI models. The work starts with a real computational project from your own biology research, such as an analysis pipeline, a dynamical model, a structural simulation, or a statistical inference method you wrote and debugged. You turn that project into a main problem, connected subproblems, a Python reference solution, and tests that return a clear result. The role suits computational biology and bioinformatics researchers who want flexible, task-based contract work. Pay comes as $200 per approved task, with each task taking about two hours and no cap on volume.
AfterQuery
VerifiedComputational Chemistry Researcher (Task Author)
AfterQuery recruits computational chemistry researchers to author evaluation tasks that test AI models on real scientific computing problems. You pick a calculation from your own work, such as an electronic-structure workflow, a molecular-dynamics run, a kinetics model, a spectroscopy fit, or a thermodynamics calculation, and shape it into a research-grade task. Each task contains a main problem, connected subproblems, a Python reference solution, and tests that verify results. The challenge should come from the chemistry itself, not from hidden information. This independent-contractor role pays $200 per approved task, with each task taking about two hours and no cap on volume.