PhD Chemistry Expert — AI Safety Researcher

Science & AI Safety • Independent Contractor • Remote • Competitive Hourly Rate

JobHub by NeonLabs, in partnership with Mercor, is seeking PhD-level Chemistry Experts to support high-impact AI safety and research collaborations with leading AI labs.

This role gives advanced scientists the unique opportunity to apply their deep domain expertise directly to the evaluation and strengthening of next-generation AI models. You will play a critical role in ensuring these systems handle complex chemical concepts accurately and safely. No prior AI or ML experience is required — all training is provided.

What You'll Do

• Write expert-level prompts across specialized chemistry topics
• Evaluate and annotate model responses for scientific accuracy, helpfulness, and safety
• Apply structured guidelines to classify prompts, conversations, and sensitive content
• Provide deep scientific reasoning to review and refine technical chemical data; use sound judgment to identify and flag dual-use or hazardous material risks

Ideal Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry or a closely related field — completed or currently in progress (organic, inorganic, analytical, physical, medicinal, computational, chemical engineering, or materials science)
• Deep familiarity with modern laboratory and computational techniques in your subfield
• Strong scientific reasoning and technical writing skills in English; excellent judgment regarding chemical safety and responsible handling of sensitive information
• Nice to have: Experience with chemical security, synthesis, or red-teaming and grading technical content

Engagement Details

• Pay: Competitive hourly rates depending on experience and project scope
• Commitment: 15–25 hours per week, flexible up to 40 • Start: Immediate • Platform: Mercor (weekly via Stripe or Wise)
• Duration: Project-based with potential extension based on performance and project needs
• Note: Visa sponsorship including H1-B or STEM OPT is not supported for this role

Submit your resume through the apply link below. Complete a short 15-minute AI interview about your background and research experience. Qualified candidates receive follow-up and onboarding details within a few days.