Materials Science Expert - Remote Part-Time
Listing checked September 16, 2026 · pay as published by Mercor
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
- 1Turn a real materials problem from your past work into a task for models. Include the system, processing history, property target, and reference answer.
- 2Review model-written explanations that link microstructure to properties. Judge whether the evidence supports the claim.
- 3Check whether a proposed processing window is realistic for the material and application.
- 4Identify 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.
- 5Explain your reasoning in writing so project teams can use it as a grading standard.
- 6Flag unclear instructions or ambiguous task details before they affect the evaluation.
- 7Apply your own lab or industrial experience to judge characterization data and processing decisions.
Requirements6
- 1Graduate degree in materials science or a related discipline.
- 2Research or industrial experience processing and characterizing materials.
- 3Ability to explain technical reasoning in clear written English.
- 4Comfort working on ambiguous tasks and asking for clarification when instructions are unclear.
- 5Recent hands-on work with materials to support calls about processing and properties.
- 6Willingness 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.
Location
Compensation
$60–120/hr
Required Skills
Application Tip
In your resume or interview, name the exact materials you processed or characterized and the decisions you made about processing, properties, or failure. Tie each example to a model-grading task, such as whether a microstructure explanation holds up or whether a processing window is realistic, so reviewers can see your fit for materials science AI evaluation.
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Application & verification flow
1Instant rubric match
Your resume is scanned against this role’s requirements to check qualification fit.
2Screened before the employer sees it
Only profiles that clear screening are passed on.
3Outcome by email
We notify you at the address on your resume once the screening is reviewed.
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