Field Ecologist & Wildlife/Fisheries Biologist

$50/hr

rate as listed

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

Create research-level ecology, wildlife biology and fisheries problems used to test and train AI models. This is remote, flexible contract work for experts who have collected and analyzed real population data.

The work

You will turn hands-on research experience into technically rigorous problems for AI models. Assignments may draw on field surveys, tagging and telemetry studies, fisheries catch and age data, or population analyses such as mark-recapture, occupancy and stock assessment. Each submission must be accurate, clearly written and documented well enough for another expert to verify.

What the platform screens for

AfterQuery looks for direct experience collecting and analyzing real population data, rather than exclusively desk-based GIS, policy or theoretical work. Python is required for analysis of survey or telemetry data. R is a plus and strong R skills are preferred. Screeners may ask for specific details about sampling design, data structure, model assumptions, diagnostics and conclusions, with follow-up questions intended to verify that the work was your own.

Background and evidence

A Master's or PhD degree in ecology, wildlife biology, fisheries science or a related field, combined with multiple field seasons, is preferred rather than required. Agency scientists and postdocs are noted as strong fits. Public code, a thesis or papers can help demonstrate technical depth, while prior data annotation, data labeling or AI evaluation experience is also preferred.

Contract logistics

The work is fully remote, asynchronous and structured around individual tasks that typically take about six hours. There is no fixed weekly schedule, so contractors choose tasks and manage their own availability. You must be able to work as an independent contractor without visa sponsorship, and accepted experts undergo identity and background verification.

Pay band: $50/hr

What they look for

Hands-on collection and analysis of real ecological, wildlife or fisheries population data
Working knowledge of Python for survey, telemetry or population-data analysis
Domain knowledge in ecology, wildlife biology, fisheries science or a related field
Ability to write clear, research-level technical problems and supporting documentation
Independent task management and careful quality control

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 connect field procedures, raw observations, analytical choices and ecological conclusions from work you directly performed.
A strong answer: Use one concrete study and specify the population, field protocol, sampling unit, time span, data volume, analysis and result. Clearly separate your own responsibilities from those of collaborators.
Where people lose it: Candidates lose points by describing a lab's general project without identifying what they personally collected, coded or interpreted.

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