Are you a Computer Science researcher, AI specialist, or Operations Research expert looking to contribute to the future of artificial intelligence? Mercor is currently hiring Automated CS Planning PhDs and Domain Experts for a prestigious project with one of the world’s leading AI research laboratories.
This fully remote contractor position offers competitive compensation ranging from $55 to $80 per hour and provides a unique opportunity to help shape the next generation of advanced AI models.
About the Opportunity
Mercor is partnering with a top-tier AI lab on a cutting-edge research initiative focused on improving large language models and advanced reasoning systems.
As an Automated CS Planning Domain Expert, you will apply your academic and research expertise to develop challenging, high-quality problems that help train and evaluate state-of-the-art AI systems.
Rather than performing traditional software development work, contributors will help create sophisticated datasets and problem scenarios that push AI models to their limits.
Job Overview
- Position: Automated CS Planning PhD & Domain Expert (Zion / Arches)
- Company: Mercor
- Work Type: Independent Contractor
- Location: Fully Remote
- Pay Rate: $55–$80 per hour
- Industry: Artificial Intelligence Research
- Payment Method: Weekly via Stripe or Wise
Eligible Countries
Applicants must currently reside in one of the following countries:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
At this time, Mercor is only accepting candidates from these locations.
What You’ll Do
Create Challenging AI Evaluation Problems
Develop complex and realistic planning, reasoning, and problem-solving tasks that advanced AI models must solve.
Contribute Subject Matter Expertise
Apply your academic background in areas such as:
- Automated Planning
- Symbolic Artificial Intelligence
- Machine Learning
- Computer Science
- Operations Research
- Optimization
- Decision Making Systems
Improve AI Training Data
Help build high-quality datasets that improve the reasoning capabilities and performance of frontier AI systems.
Evaluate Technical Content
Review and refine technical scenarios to ensure accuracy, difficulty, and relevance.
Support AI Research
Work alongside leading AI research initiatives that are shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
Required Qualifications
Candidates should possess one of the following:
Academic Background
- PhD in Computer Science
- PhD in Artificial Intelligence
- PhD in Machine Learning
- PhD in Operations Research
Equivalent Research Experience
Professionals with substantial research experience in these domains may also be considered.
Preferred Expertise
Mercor is particularly interested in candidates with experience in:
Automated Planning
Research involving:
- Planning algorithms
- Search techniques
- Decision systems
- Constraint satisfaction problems
Symbolic AI
Knowledge of:
- Knowledge representation
- Logical reasoning
- Expert systems
- Rule-based AI systems
Machine Learning and AI
Understanding of modern AI methods and large language models is beneficial.
Essential Skills
Successful applicants should demonstrate:
High Attention to Detail
Ability to identify subtle technical issues and ensure the quality of complex datasets.
Strong Communication Skills
Excellent written and verbal communication abilities are essential, as much of the work involves documenting and explaining technical concepts.
Research-Oriented Thinking
Comfort with abstract problem solving, analytical reasoning, and academic-level technical work.
Screening Process
Applicants will complete:
Short Interview
A brief interview to assess technical expertise and communication skills.
Technical Task
A short assessment that typically takes approximately 20–30 minutes.
Paid Onboarding
Successful candidates receive compensation for:
- The screening task
- Onboarding activities
- Training videos
Mercor pays for up to one hour of onboarding time for hired contributors.
Why Consider This Role?
Competitive Hourly Compensation
Earn between $55 and $80 per hour while working remotely.
Flexible Work Schedule
Complete projects on your own schedule without fixed working hours.
Work with Leading AI Labs
Contribute to projects supported by some of the most advanced AI research organizations in the world.
Research-Focused Work
Apply your academic expertise in a practical setting while helping advance cutting-edge technology.
Weekly Payments
Receive consistent weekly payments through Stripe or Wise.
Future Project Opportunities
Strong performance may lead to invitations for additional AI research projects through Mercor.
Contract Information
Important details include:
- Independent contractor relationship
- Fully remote work arrangement
- Flexible schedule
- Project duration may vary depending on business needs and performance
- Weekly payments based on completed work
- No access to confidential information from employers or clients
- H1-B and STEM OPT candidates are currently not eligible
Final Thoughts
The Automated CS Planning PhD & Domain Expert role at Mercor is an exceptional opportunity for researchers and technical specialists who want to contribute directly to the future of artificial intelligence. By applying expertise in automated planning, symbolic AI, machine learning, and operations research, you’ll help train and improve some of the world’s most advanced AI systems.
For qualified candidates seeking flexible remote work, competitive compensation, and meaningful involvement in frontier AI research, this opportunity is well worth exploring.