
Product Research Expert - Fully Remote | Upto $65/hr Part-time
Mercor · New York, NY
- Hybrid
- Part-time
- $65,000 / year
- New York, NY
Job highlights
- Research consumer products and services extensively.
- Create detailed comparison tables and reports.
- Analyze specifications, gather quotes, and model TCO.
- Requires strong analytical and communication skills.
- This is a remote, contract, hourly position.
About the role
About The Job
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.
Position: Personal Consumer Research Expert
Type: Contract
Compensation: $50–$65/hour
Location: Remote
Role Responsibilities
- Build long-horizon research tasks with deterministic rubrics to evaluate agent performance against verifiable ground truth.
- Create scenarios in product research with shortlists meeting every spec and budget constraint, including TCO calculations.
- Develop service provider comparisons for insurance, internet, and utilities, scored against defined rubrics.
- Conduct major purchase analysis with quote gathering and negotiation angles based on policy references.
- Work independently on challenging scenarios requiring long focus sessions.
Qualifications
Must-Have
- 3+ years in product research, personal procurement, journalism/review writing, or adjacent roles.
- Expertise in product spec analysis, service provider comparison, quote gathering, and TCO modeling.
- Proficient in reading and producing research artifacts like comparison tables, shortlists, and negotiation briefs.
- Clear written communication skills with the ability to articulate reasoning step by step.
Compensation & Legal
Hourly contractor
Application Process (Takes 20–30 mins to complete)
- Upload resume
- AI interview based on your resume
- Submit form
Resources & Support
For details about the interview process and platform information, please check: https://talent.docs.mercor.com/welcome
For any help or support, reach out to: support@mercor.com
PS: Our team reviews applications daily. Please complete your AI interview and application steps to be considered for this opportunity.
Key skills/competency
- Product Research Expert
- Personal Procurement
- Journalism
- Review Writing
- Product Spec Analysis
- Service Provider Comparison
- Quote Gathering
- TCO Modeling
- Negotiation
- Research Artifacts
Skills & topics
- Product Research
- Consumer Research
- Procurement
- Journalism
- TCO Modeling
- Quote Gathering
- Service Comparison
- Remote
- Contract
- Part-time
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your 3+ years of product research, procurement, or journalism experience. Emphasize expertise in spec analysis, comparisons, quote gathering, and TCO modeling.
- Prepare for AI interview: Be ready to articulate your reasoning step-by-step, as the AI interview will assess your communication skills based on your resume.
- Understand Mercor's mission: Research Mercor's focus on connecting talent with AI research labs and their notable investors.
- Complete the application promptly: Upload your resume, complete the AI interview, and submit the form to ensure your application is reviewed daily.
Technical preparation
Practice TCO modeling for various consumer goods.,Develop rubrics for evaluating product specifications.,Create sample comparison tables for services.,Draft negotiation briefs for major purchases.
Behavioral questions
Describe a complex research project you led.,How do you ensure accuracy in your research?,Explain how you articulate reasoning step-by-step.,How do you manage long focus sessions independently?
Frequently asked questions
- What is the application process for the Product Research Expert role at Mercor?
- The application process for the Product Research Expert role at Mercor involves uploading your resume, completing an AI-driven interview based on your resume, and submitting the application form. The entire process typically takes 20-30 minutes.
- What qualifications are essential for the Product Research Expert position?
- Essential qualifications for the Product Research Expert role include at least 3 years of experience in product research, personal procurement, journalism/review writing, or similar fields. You must also demonstrate expertise in product spec analysis, service provider comparison, quote gathering, and TCO modeling, along with clear written communication skills.
- Is the Product Research Expert role at Mercor remote?
- Yes, the Product Research Expert position at Mercor is fully remote, allowing you to work from any location.
- What is the compensation for the Product Research Expert role?
- The compensation for the Product Research Expert role is between $50 to $65 per hour, and it is a contract position.
- What kind of research tasks will a Product Research Expert perform at Mercor?
- A Product Research Expert will build long-horizon research tasks to evaluate agent performance, create product research scenarios with detailed shortlists, develop service provider comparisons, and conduct major purchase analysis including quote gathering and negotiation.
- How can I get support if I have questions about the Mercor application process?
- If you need help or support with the application process, you can reach out to Mercor's support team via email at support@mercor.com or consult their documentation at https://talent.docs.mercor.com/welcome.