There is a version of the postdoc problem that AI labs accidentally solved. Deep expertise in a narrow field, an oversupply of qualified people, and very few positions that pay for it. Frontier labs need exactly that expertise and they need it in volume.
What the listings actually pay
Across 132 live listings aimed at doctoral-level expertise, the median top-of-range is $90 an hour, reaching $280. That compares favourably with adjunct teaching and does not require relocating.
| # | Role | Advertised rate | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Data Scientist | $245 to $280 an hour | micro1 |
| 2 | Cybersecurity Research Expert, Offensive Security & Vulnerability Research | $200 to $250 an hour | Mercor |
| 3 | Senior Design Expert - Paid AI Design Research Study | $150 to $250 an hour | Mercor |
| 4 | Structural Biologist (Protein Design, AI Evaluation) | $150 to $220 an hour | Mercor |
| 5 | AI Data Science Domain Expert | $100 to $200 an hour | micro1 |
| 6 | Physics Expert (Condensed Matter / Quantum Information) | $100 to $170 an hour | micro1 |
| 7 | Biology Expert | $150 to $150 an hour | Handshake AI |
| 8 | Data Scientist Talent Network | $100 to $150 an hour | Mercor |
| 9 | Healthcare Survey Research & Pharma Insights Expert | $140 to $140 an hour | Mercor |
| 10 | Business Analyst / Researcher / Operations Specialist | $90 to $140 an hour | micro1 |
Source: 132 live listings on this board that publish a rate, read directly from each posting on 2026-09-05. Listings without a published rate are excluded rather than estimated.
What moves your rate
The work is closer to peer review than to teaching. You read what a model produced in your field and you say precisely where it goes wrong. For most researchers that is a familiar motion, which is why the ramp-up is short.
How to apply
Every role above links to its own page with the full requirements and a direct application link. Applications are completed on the hiring platform and typically take a few minutes, with a short skills assessment in place of an interview.
Two things are worth doing before you apply. Check whether the role accepts applicants from your country using the eligibility checker, and run the advertised rate through the take-home calculator, because this is contract work and the headline rate is before self-employment tax.
Frequently asked questions
What do AI jobs for PhDs pay?
Across 132 live listings requiring doctoral-level expertise, the median top-of-range is $90 an hour, with the highest at $280. Rates vary by field, with quantitative disciplines generally at the upper end.
Do I need a completed PhD?
Many listings say PhD or equivalent research experience, and ABD candidates are frequently accepted. Demonstrated depth in a specific area matters more than the certificate.
Which fields are most in demand?
Physics, mathematics, chemistry, and biology appear most often, with economics and statistics close behind. Anything the model is expected to reason about rigorously has demand behind it.
Can I do this during a postdoc?
Usually yes, since it is contract work with no institutional claim on the output. Check your institution's outside-work policy, particularly if you are on a visa with employment restrictions.
Is the work intellectually interesting?
Honestly, it varies. Some projects are genuinely difficult problems at the edge of a field. Others are repetitive checking. The listing usually tells you which one you are signing up for.
See every live role
The full board updates several times a week, with the advertised rate on each listing and closed roles removed.