AfterQuery
AfterQueryVerified listing

Earth Science & Geology Expert

85/hr
Remote
contract
Posted August 27, 2026
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Listing checked October 29, 2026 · pay as published by AfterQuery

Key details

Pay
$85/hr
Location
Remote
Job type
contract
Posted
August 27, 2026

Overview

AfterQuery produces the evaluation and training data that frontier AI labs use to measure how models handle real professional work. In this contract role you write the geoscience and climate science scenarios those evaluations run on, then judge how well a model reasons through them. Each scenario follows the arc a working geologist takes, from field observation to interpretation, with processes and timescales weighed along the way. Grading centers on physical accuracy and honest uncertainty, and the errors you catch are the ones only a trained geoscientist would notice. You set your own hours, with a floor of 10 per week.

What You'll Do6

  • Author realistic geoscience scenarios that trace a problem from field observation through to interpretation.
  • Write reference answers that lay out the geological reasoning behind each reading of the evidence.
  • Score model responses to earth and climate questions on physical accuracy and on whether the stated uncertainty fits.
  • Flag answers that sound polished but misstate the science.
  • Document your reasoning in clear written English so reviewers can follow the logic from evidence to conclusion.
  • Work within your specialty, whether that is sedimentology, hydrology, geophysics, volcanology or climate science.

Requirements8

  • Advanced degree in geology, earth science or a closely adjacent field.
  • Two or more years of research, industry or field experience in the geosciences.
  • Recognized depth in one area such as sedimentology, hydrology, geophysics or climate science.
  • Written English strong enough to turn scientific judgment into clear, teachable reasoning.
  • Willingness to commit at least 10 hours per week.
  • PhD or Professional Geologist licensure (PG / GIT) preferred.
  • GIS, remote sensing or geospatial modeling skills preferred.
  • Background in energy, mining, environmental consulting or a government survey preferred.

Who Should Apply

Working geologists and earth scientists who reason from process and evidence, whether the data comes from an outcrop, a core sample or a model. A specialist in sedimentology, hydrology, geophysics or climate science with an advanced degree and at least two years in research, industry or the field fits best.

Salary Insight

The listing quotes $85/hr, and the source band runs $60 to $110/hr, with your number set from experience rather than negotiated down after you start. Payment arrives weekly through Stripe. Ten hours a week is the floor and there is no ceiling, so weekly earnings grow with the hours you take on.

Pay and demand for Science & Research roles

Market estimates from live NearSkill listings — separate from this job's published terms.

Aggregated

This role · as published

$85/hr

Taken from the listing itself.

Typical pay · estimated

$80/hour

Median of 179 similar roles that publish pay · 19 publish only a top rate; those count at the rate they gave

Most Science & Research roles pay $60–$95 per hour. This role's pay falls inside that range.

Typical rangeMedian payThis role

Rates shown per hour. Yearly and monthly pay converted; one-time fees and non-USD pay are not included.

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Required skills

GeologyEarth ScienceSedimentologyHydrologyGeophysicsVolcanologyClimate ScienceGisRemote SensingGeospatial ModelingScientific WritingModel Evaluation

How applying works

  1. 1. Pre-screen on NearSkill

    A quick application on NearSkill checks your fit against this role.

  2. 2. Finish on the employer’s site

    We hand you to AfterQuery’s official application page to complete the form.

  3. 3. Wait for a response

    The employer’s hiring team reviews applications and gets back to you.

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