Astrophysics Software Designer - Expert
Mercor · United States
- Hybrid
- Part-time
- $100,000 / year
- United States
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Job highlights
- Design computational problems for AI evaluation.
- Evaluate AI systems' research capabilities.
- Develop data recovery strategies.
- Calibrate tasks for AI models.
- Utilize astropy for cosmological calculations.
About the role
Astrophysics Software Designer - Expert
Mercor connects elite creative and technical talent with leading AI research labs. Headquartered in San Francisco, our investors include Benchmark, General Catalyst, Peter Thiel, Adam D'Angelo, Larry Summers, and Jack Dorsey.
Role Overview
We are seeking a highly skilled Astrophysics Software Designer to join our team on a contract basis. This role focuses on designing graduate-level computational problems for AI evaluation, utilizing scientific software libraries, and developing experimental strategies to assess AI capabilities in astrophysics and cosmology research.
Key Responsibilities
- Design graduate-level computational problems using domain-specific scientific software libraries.
- Evaluate AI systems' ability to solve research-grade problems, from querying simulations to interpreting outputs.
- Develop experimental strategies to recover hidden information from data, emphasizing strategic reasoning.
- Calibrate tasks against state-of-the-art AI models, refining problem designs to achieve target difficulty.
- Work independently and asynchronously to iterate on problem designs based on calibration feedback.
- Utilize astropy and related tools for cosmological calculations and observational data reduction.
Qualifications
Must-Have
- Graduate-level training in a relevant STEM domain (MS, PhD, or equivalent research experience).
- Demonstrated proficiency with scientific software libraries, evidenced by research publications or professional work.
- Strong Python programming skills for writing problem setups and solution validators.
- Ability to work in a Linux/terminal environment with remote compute sandboxes.
- Available for at least 15–20 hours per week.
Preferred
- Experience across multiple listed domains or tools.
- Familiarity with benchmark or evaluation design.
- Background in scientific pedagogy or exam/problem-set design.
- Experience with computational reproducibility and containerized environments.
Application Process
The application process takes approximately 20–30 minutes to complete and includes uploading your resume, an AI interview based on your resume, and submitting a form. Our team reviews applications daily. Please complete all steps to be considered.
Resources & Support
For details about the interview process and platform information, please visit: https://talent.docs.mercor.com/welcome. For any help or support, please reach out to: support@mercor.com.
Key skills/competency
- Astrophysics
- Cosmology
- Software Design
- Computational Problems
- AI Evaluation
- Python
- Astropy
- Scientific Libraries
- Linux
- Problem Design
Skills & topics
- Astrophysics Software Designer
- AI Research
- Computational Science
- Software Design
- Astrophysics
- Cosmology
- Python
- Astropy
- Scientific Libraries
- Linux
- Remote Work
- Contract
- AI Evaluation
- Problem Design
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your graduate-level STEM training, scientific software proficiency, and Python skills relevant to astrophysics and AI evaluation.
- Prepare for AI interview: Be ready to discuss your research experience and problem-solving approaches based on your resume.
- Showcase technical skills: Emphasize your experience with Python, Linux environments, and scientific libraries like astropy.
- Demonstrate domain expertise: Clearly articulate your understanding of astrophysics/cosmology and computational problem design.
- Apply promptly: Complete all application steps, including resume upload and AI interview, for daily review.
Technical preparation
Master Python for scientific computing.,Familiarize yourself with astropy library.,Practice Linux command-line operations.,Understand AI model evaluation principles.
Behavioral questions
Describe a complex computational problem you solved.,How do you approach designing evaluation tasks?,Explain your experience with independent research.,How do you handle asynchronous feedback?
Frequently asked questions
- What are the key responsibilities for an Astrophysics Software Designer at Mercor?
- As an Astrophysics Software Designer, you will design graduate-level computational problems for AI evaluation, assess AI systems' ability to solve research-grade problems, develop experimental strategies for data analysis, and calibrate tasks against state-of-the-art AI models. You will also utilize astropy and related tools for calculations and data reduction.
- What qualifications are essential for the Astrophysics Software Designer role?
- Essential qualifications include graduate-level training in a STEM domain (MS, PhD, or equivalent research experience), demonstrated proficiency with scientific software libraries, strong Python programming skills, and experience working in a Linux/terminal environment. You must also be available for 15-20 hours per week.
- What kind of AI systems will I be evaluating as an Astrophysics Software Designer?
- You will be evaluating AI systems' ability to solve research-grade problems in astrophysics and cosmology. This includes tasks like querying simulations, interpreting complex outputs, and recovering hidden information from data, requiring strategic reasoning from the AI models.
- How does Mercor use AI in its hiring process for the Astrophysics Software Designer role?
- Mercor utilizes an AI-driven application process. After uploading your resume, you will complete an AI interview that is based on your resume content. This helps them assess your qualifications and suitability for the role.
- What is the compensation for the Astrophysics Software Designer position?
- The compensation for this contract role is between $70 and $100 per hour, depending on your qualifications and experience. The role requires a commitment of 15–20 hours per week.
- Is the Astrophysics Software Designer role remote?
- Yes, this is a fully remote contract position. You can work from anywhere as long as you have the ability to work in a Linux/terminal environment with remote compute sandboxes and are available for the required weekly commitment.
- What specific scientific software libraries are important for this role?
- Proficiency with scientific software libraries is a must-have qualification. Specifically, the role mentions the utilization of 'astropy' and related tools for cosmological calculations and observational data reduction. Strong Python programming skills are also crucial for writing problem setups and solution validators.
- How long does the application process for the Astrophysics Software Designer position typically take?
- The application process is designed to be efficient, taking approximately 20–30 minutes to complete. This includes uploading your resume and completing the AI-based interview.