Materials Science Expert - Remote Part-Time
Listing checked September 16, 2026 · pay as published by Mercor
Key details
- Pay
- $60–120/hr
- Location
- Remote
- Job type
- part-time
- Posted
- September 15, 2026
Overview
Mercor maintains an open listing for materials scientists who want part-time AI evaluation work. The company keeps this pool active so clients can invite experts when a project starts, not just when a single role opens. Assignments have included writing materials problems from your own lab or industrial work, grading model reasoning about structure-property links, and spotting designs that pass on paper but fail under fatigue, corrosion, thermal cycling, or manufacturing limits. Past rates for this network have run $60 to $120 per hour, with scope and depth setting the final number.
What You'll Do7
- Turn a real materials problem from your past work into a task for models. Include the system, processing history, property target, and reference answer.
- Review model-written explanations that link microstructure to properties. Judge whether the evidence supports the claim.
- Check whether a proposed processing window is realistic for the material and application.
- Identify cases where a model's material choice passes spec on paper but would fail in service due to fatigue, corrosion, thermal cycling, or manufacturability limits.
- Explain your reasoning in writing so project teams can use it as a grading standard.
- Flag unclear instructions or ambiguous task details before they affect the evaluation.
- Apply your own lab or industrial experience to judge characterization data and processing decisions.
Requirements6
- Graduate degree in materials science or a related discipline.
- Research or industrial experience processing and characterizing materials.
- Ability to explain technical reasoning in clear written English.
- Comfort working on ambiguous tasks and asking for clarification when instructions are unclear.
- Recent hands-on work with materials to support calls about processing and properties.
- Willingness to complete a short AI interview and verification process.
Who Should Apply
The strongest candidates hold a graduate degree in materials science and have recent hands-on experience processing and characterizing materials, whether in a lab or industrial setting. They can write about microstructure, processing windows, and failure modes in plain language and are comfortable making judgment calls when a task lacks detail. This role is less suitable for people without direct materials research or production experience, or for those who prefer tightly specified tasks with little ambiguity. Candidates often score low when they list coursework without describing materials they personally processed or characterized. Another common issue is vague written reasoning that does not connect characterization data to a property or service outcome.
Salary Insight
Mercor lists $60 to $120 per hour for past materials science projects, with the final rate set by each project's scope and depth. That range fits experienced graduate-level experts who can handle independent evaluation work and puts senior materials specialists near the top of typical part-time AI training pay.
Required skills
How applying works
1. Pre-screen on NearSkill
A quick application on NearSkill checks your fit against this role.
2. Finish on the employer’s site
We hand you to Mercor’s official application page to complete the form.
3. Wait for a response
The employer’s hiring team reviews applications and gets back to you.
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