Bilingual Polish STEM Expert (PhD) — AI Safety

Introduction: The Intersection of Advanced Science and AI Safety

Artificial intelligence is evolving at an unprecedented pace, stretching across complex scientific domains like biology, chemistry, and nuclear physics. However, as language models become more powerful, ensuring their absolute safety, accuracy, and technical reliability becomes critical. Tech labs and frontier AI organizations are racing to solve the problem of safe dual-use information handling, requiring top-tier human minds to test, validate, and train these systems.

Enter Mercor’s specialized hiring initiative for a Bilingual Polish STEM Expert (PhD). This unique role bridges the gap between high-level academic research and next-generation artificial intelligence. If you hold or are pursuing a PhD in a rigorous scientific discipline, possess native or near-native fluency in Polish, and want a flexible remote career with competitive hourly rates, this opportunity provides the ultimate platform to impact global tech innovation.

Comprehensive Job Details & Overview

The role is structured to accommodate high-level researchers who want flexible, part-time contract work without sacrificing their academic pursuits or primary professional commitments. Here is a breakdown of the core job specifications:

• Position Title: Bilingual Polish STEM Expert (PhD) — AI Safety
• Compensation Rate: $50 to $54 per hour
• Employment Type: Independent Contractor / Part-time
• Work Arrangement: Fully remote, complete schedule flexibility
• Regional Preference: Based in Poland or the wider Eastern Europe region preferred, though exceptional global applicants are welcome
• Project Start Date: Immediate

As an independent contractor through Mercor, your weekly earnings are paid reliably via Stripe or Wise based on services rendered. Furthermore, the position allows you to work entirely on your own schedule, making it an ideal side-venture or primary freelance engagement for qualified researchers.

Detailed Job Description & Daily Responsibilities

What does an AI safety expert actually do day-to-day? You will not need prior coding or software engineering experience. Instead, your deep domain expertise in science and languages forms the core of the workflow. The responsibilities are explicitly structured around evaluating technical accuracy:

• Expert Prompt Generation: Write rigorous, expert-level prompts in Polish spanning specialized scientific topics, testing how advanced models process complex technical jargon.
• Response Evaluation and Annotation: Rigorously analyze and annotate model outputs for scientific precision, overall helpfulness, and proper adherence to safety parameters regarding sensitive content.
• Classification Protocols: Apply structured, standardized evaluation guidelines to classify model conversations and prompts accurately.

Candidate Qualifications: What Mercor Is Looking For

Because this position deals with frontier technology and sensitive topics, the vetting standards are high. To qualify successfully for this role, candidates must meet the following baseline requirements:

• Academic Background: A PhD (completed or ongoing) in chemistry, biology, or a closely related scientific field, bringing deep expertise across chemical, biological, or radiological and nuclear subject areas.
• Linguistic Fluency: Native or near-native proficiency in Polish, combined with strong business-level written English skills.
• Subfield Depth: Deep familiarity with modern laboratory techniques, computational methods, and specialized subfields (such as organic or inorganic synthesis, molecular biology, microbiology, virology, or genetics).
• Safety Judgment: Sound, professional judgment regarding scientific ethics, biosafety, biosecurity, and the responsible handling of dual-use technical information.

Preferred Nice-to-Haves

While the above qualifications are essential, candidates with the following background characteristics will find themselves exceptionally well-suited for the position:

• Residency in Poland or broader Eastern Europe.
• Radiological and nuclear coverage derived from a chemistry foundation (e.g., radiochemistry, nuclear chemistry, energetic materials, or radiation physics).
• Prior academic research, coursework, or professional experience touching on chemical safety and security, hazardous-materials handling, or red-teaming technical documents.

Why Join Mercor for AI Training?

Mercor has quickly become a premier partner for leading AI labs seeking authentic human expertise to fine-tune frontier models. Traditional hiring methods often involve grueling multi-round interviews and bureaucratic red tape. Mercor streamlines this completely, offering a streamlined path to high-paying remote roles through a single interview process.

Working with Mercor places you at the vanguard of the artificial intelligence revolution. You collaborate directly with leading researchers, earn top-tier market wages, and actively shape how future AI models interpret and reason through vital scientific domains.

Step-by-Step Guide to Completing Your Application

To maximize your chances of getting selected quickly, you must complete the full application process thoroughly. Follow these steps to ensure your profile stands out:

1. Click the Application Link: Head over to the official Mercor application portal using the link below.
2. Submit Your Credentials: Upload an updated resume or CV that clearly highlights your PhD status, scientific subfield, publications, and language proficiencies.
3. Complete the Assessment & Interview: Answer all initial screening questions accurately and prepare for Mercor’s streamlined interview process. Highlight your specific subfield depth (e.g., virology, organic synthesis, nuclear chemistry) to match the exact needs of the AI safety teams.
4. Onboarding & Getting Started: Once accepted, review your contractor agreement, set up your preferred weekly payout method (Stripe or Wise), and dive into the immediate project start phase.