Computational Chemistry Researcher (Task Author)

$100/hr

rate as listed

Workload: ~15h/week
Engagement: Project-based
Location: Worldwide
Field: Sciences

Author research-grade AI evaluation tasks from computational chemistry work you have personally implemented and debugged. Each task includes a defined problem, connected subproblems, a reference solution, and tests grounded in valid chemical reasoning.

The work

You will turn genuine computational work from your own chemistry research into evaluation tasks for AI models. Suitable source material includes electronic-structure and molecular-dynamics workflows, kinetics models, spectroscopy fits, thermodynamics calculations, electrochemistry, catalysis, chemometrics, biophysical chemistry, and atmospheric or environmental chemistry. Day-to-day work involves defining a main problem and connected subproblems, writing a reference solution, building tests, specifying evaluation metrics, and revising the task after structured review.

What the platform screens for

The screen focuses on whether you personally wrote code to set up, run, and analyze chemical calculations or models, rather than only operating standard packages. You should be able to explain the chemical assumptions, numerical methods, debugging history, validation evidence, and expected failure modes of a real project. Python is preferred, but not required. Public code, a thesis, papers, and prior AI evaluation or data-labeling experience are preferred evidence rather than mandatory credentials.

Practical details

This is flexible independent-contractor work with no fixed weekly schedule or cap on task volume. Tasks are described as taking about two hours each, although review and revision can affect the actual time required. The task submission and review process appears suited to asynchronous work, but the listing does not explicitly confirm remote eligibility or define communication hours. All accepted experts undergo standard background and identity verification.

Pay band: $100/hr

What they look for

Computational chemistry research in chemistry, chemical physics, chemical engineering, or a closely related field
Original scientific programming for chemical calculations or models, with Python preferred
Chemical model validation, numerical debugging, and interpretation of computational results
Design of well-specified problems, reference solutions, and automated tests
Definition of scientifically meaningful evaluation metrics and acceptance criteria
Revision and calibration of technical tasks through structured review

Included with this listing

Interview prep — 10 questions

Matched to what this platform's screening actually measures. Answer each out loud in 60–90 seconds: claim → concrete example → implication.

What it tests: This tests whether you can substantiate direct ownership of a research workflow through concrete details about inputs, code, calculations, outputs, and validation.
A strong answer: Anchor the answer in one specific project and identify the scientific question, the code you wrote, the packages or data it interacted with, a bug you resolved, and the evidence that the final result was credible. Distinguish your own contribution from work done by collaborators or standard software.
Where people lose it: Candidates lose points when they describe a research topic or name software such as Gaussian or VASP without identifying any original scripting, analysis logic, or debugging they performed.

Summary, eligibility guidance and screening preparation are prepared by Sidequest from the platform's posting. Check the source listing before applying.

What you'll need

Computational chemistry research in chemistry, chemical physics, chemical engineering, or a closely related field

Original scientific programming for chemical calculations or models, with Python preferred

Chemical model validation, numerical debugging, and interpretation of computational results