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Mathematics PhD Coding Experts

Company: Mercor · Pay: $70/hr · Location: Remote — Global · Type: contractor, part time · Posted: 2026-09-14

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$70 / hr

Bridging Advanced Mathematics and Artificial Intelligence: The Rise of Scientific Computing Benchmarks

Artificial intelligence has achieved remarkable milestones in natural language processing, creative writing, and general coding tasks. However, when tested against rigorous, frontier-level scientific computing and applied mathematics problems, today’s most advanced large language models routinely hit intellectual walls. Solving complex differential equations, optimizing numerical linear algebra operations, and modeling computational finance scenarios require deep human intuition, theoretical rigor, and specialized software execution.

To bridge this critical gap, leading AI research labs are partnering with top-tier scientific talent through innovative talent platforms like Mercor. The newly launched Mathematics PhD Coding Experts initiative offers doctoral-level mathematicians and computational scientists a unique platform to design frontier evaluation benchmarks (Sci Code). Paying an exceptional rate of $70 per hour on a part-time, flexible remote contract basis, this role allows you to monetize your advanced academic credentials and shape the future of scientific artificial intelligence.

Comprehensive Job Description & Core Responsibilities

For PhD holders and Master’s scientists specializing in applied mathematics, numerical computing, or quantitative finance, this project offers an intellectually stimulating escape from traditional administrative overhead. Rather than grading standard student assignments or writing repetitive code, you will author original, executable research tasks designed specifically to challenge and evaluate next-generation AI systems.

Key Responsibilities and Workflow:

  • Source Original Material: Curate and adapt complex scientific challenges from published research papers, Kaggle datasets, sophisticated open-source repositories, or custom-designed real-world scenarios.
  • Author Scientific Prompts: Translate intricate mathematical problems into precise, structured coding prompts that require advanced reasoning and algorithmic implementation.
  • Build Rigorous Grading Criteria: Establish automated grading metrics, validation scripts, and unit tests that objectively define correct solutions in scientific computing.
  • Calibrate Against Frontier Models: Test your tasks against state-of-the-art AI models. A task successfully clears quality assurance only when strong models fail it more often than they succeed, ensuring true benchmark difficulty.
  • Collaborate via Version Control: Work within a streamlined git/GitHub pull-request workflow, integrating automated quality checks and continuous integration pipelines.

Candidate Qualifications & Professional Requirements

Because these benchmarks serve as the primary evaluation standard for frontier models developed by leading AI labs, the selection criteria demand elite academic credentials and robust technical execution skills.

Mandatory Requirements:
  • Advanced Academic Degree: Ph.D. in mathematics, applied mathematics, computational mathematics, or a closely related quantitative field.
  • Subdomain Depth: Demonstrated expertise in at least two specialized subdomains: numerical linear algebra, computational mechanics, or computational finance.
  • Programming Proficiency: Working proficiency in Python or R specifically tailored for high-performance scientific computing and numerical analysis.
  • Technical Tooling: High comfort level with Git, GitHub, and running code inside Docker environments to support pull-request workflows.

Preferred Qualifications: Proven publication record in peer-reviewed scientific journals and prior industry experience in scientific software engineering or research computing.

Engagement Terms, Scheduling, and Global Payout Structure

Designed for active researchers, postdocs, and industry quantitative scientists, the project structure is optimized for maximum flexibility:

  • Duration & Commitment: A fast-paced 6-week engagement requiring a part-time commitment of 20+ hours per week, with immediate start dates available.
  • Complete Remote Autonomy: Complete your task authoring and calibration work on your own schedule from anywhere globally (excluding H1-B or STEM OPT support).
  • Prompt Weekly Remuneration: Enjoy secure, reliable weekly payments disbursed through trusted global financial rails like Stripe and Wise based on services rendered.

Why This Opportunity Matters for Quantitative Scientists

For too long, advanced academic research in mathematics has felt siloed from the explosive growth of artificial intelligence. By stepping into this role, you become a foundational architect of how machine learning models understand quantitative logic, numerical precision, and physical simulation.

Furthermore, earning $70 per hour while collaborating directly with top-tier AI labs provides an unmatched professional credential. As computational science and AI converge, having hands-on experience building model evaluation benchmarks establishes you as a pioneer in applied AI research.

Secure Your Role in Shaping Scientific AI

High-paying, highly specialized scientific contracting roles fill rapidly as early applicant pools close. If you hold a Ph.D. in mathematics and want to challenge the boundaries of what AI can compute, submit your application today.

Responsibilities

  • Source Original Material: Curate and adapt complex scientific challenges from published research papers, Kaggle datasets, sophisticated open-source repositories, or custom-designed real-world scenarios.
  • Author Scientific Prompts: Translate intricate mathematical problems into precise, structured coding prompts that require advanced reasoning and algorithmic implementation.
  • Build Rigorous Grading Criteria: Establish automated grading metrics, validation scripts, and unit tests that objectively define correct solutions in scientific computing.
  • Calibrate Against Frontier Models: Test your tasks against state-of-the-art AI models. A task successfully clears quality assurance only when strong models fail it more often than they succeed, ensuring true benchmark difficulty.
  • Collaborate via Version Control: Work within a streamlined git/GitHub pull-request workflow, integrating automated quality checks and continuous integration pipelines.

Qualifications

  • Advanced Academic Degree: Ph.D. in mathematics, applied mathematics, computational mathematics, or a closely related quantitative field.
  • Subdomain Depth: Demonstrated expertise in at least two specialized subdomains: numerical linear algebra, computational mechanics, or computational finance.
  • Programming Proficiency: Working proficiency in Python or R specifically tailored for high-performance scientific computing and numerical analysis.
  • Technical Tooling: High comfort level with Git, GitHub, and running code inside Docker environments to support pull-request workflows.

Apply now →