Cybersecurity Expert - Remote Contract
Listing checked September 22, 2026 · pay as published by AfterQuery
Overview
AfterQuery seeks a Cybersecurity Expert for a remote contract that averages 15 hours per week. You will create code repositories that contain OSS-fuzz-style vulnerabilities, then write and validate patches that fix them. The work supports frontier AI models learning cybersecurity workflows, so each accepted task adds to a training set. The schedule stays async, which lets you fit the project around another job. Pay appears as $50 to $100 per hour, with a separate $300 per accepted task figure in the project description.
What You'll Do5
- 1Build code repositories that demonstrate OSS-fuzz-style vulnerability patterns.
- 2Craft patches for those repositories and verify each patch resolves the intended flaw.
- 3Run vulnerability research and security auditing methods to shape the scenarios you create.
- 4Complete assignments on your own schedule inside an async contract workflow.
- 5Document repository details and patch validation steps for review.
Requirements7
- 11 to 2+ years in cybersecurity.
- 2Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field.
- 3Background in vulnerability research or security auditing.
- 4Familiarity with fuzzing tools or OSS-fuzz-style vulnerability work.
- 5Ability to write and patch code in C, C++, or similar low-level languages.
- 6More than 2 years of hands-on security research experience is a plus.
- 7The application process asks for an ISC2 or CompTIA certification.
Who Should Apply
The ideal candidate holds a CS degree or equivalent background and brings 1 to 2+ years in cybersecurity, with real work in vulnerability research or security auditing. You should show comfort in C, C++, or similar languages and speak to fuzzing or OSS-fuzz projects when you can. The role suits someone who wants a remote, 15-hour weekly contract and can manage async tasks without close supervision. Candidates without low-level coding experience or without any security research samples will struggle, because the core task asks you to both introduce and fix OSS-fuzz-style flaws. A common reason applicants score low is listing cybersecurity tools without showing a concrete repository, fuzzing run, or validated patch. Another is treating certifications as the whole profile when the work calls for hands-on vulnerability and patch evidence.
Salary Insight
The listing posts an hourly range of $50 to $100 for a remote contract that averages 15 hours per week. The project description also cites $300 per accepted task, so effective pay can depend on how fast you complete and validate each repository. At 15 hours per week, the hourly range sits in the higher tier for part-time cybersecurity work, often matching candidates with hands-on research or low-level coding skills. No benefits or full-time package is mentioned.
Pay and demand for Cybersecurity roles
AggregatedTypical pay
$55/hour
This role
$50–$100/hr
Most Cybersecurity roles pay $35–$78 per hour. This role's pay falls inside that range.
Based on 44 similar roles that publish pay · 3 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
- 58
- Listed in last 30 days
- 27
- Remote
- 97%
Hiring most right now: Neon (27) · micro1 (16) · AfterQuery (4)
Most requested skills · share of roles
- red teaming34%
- penetration testing29%
- reverse engineering28%
- technical writing28%
Figures from Cybersecurity roles live on NearSkill when this page loaded. A role can close before you apply, so check the listing itself.
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Compensation
$50–100/hr
Required Skills
Application Tip
Attach your ISC2 or CompTIA credential if you have one, since the application asks for certification details. Pair that with one short example of an OSS-fuzz-style vulnerability and the patch you validated, including the C or C++ diff. That evidence will raise your fit score more than a general list of security tools.
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