At a Glance
- Tasks: Create and verify challenging biology questions for AI research benchmarks.
- Company: Join a cutting-edge AI research initiative with Mercor.
- Benefits: Earn $60–$75/hour, fully remote work, flexible hours.
- Other info: Opportunity to work independently and contribute to innovative science.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in advancing AI through rigorous biology assessments.
- Qualifications: PhD or doctoral-level study in Biology or related fields required.
Biology Specialist
Position: Biology Specialist
Type: Hourly Contract
Compensation: $60–$75/hour
Location: Remote
About the Opportunity
This opportunity is for expert biologists and biological science researchers to contribute to an advanced AI research and evaluation initiative with Mercor.
You will author and verify rigorous academic assessment content across specialized biology domains, helping establish gold-standard benchmarks used to evaluate and advance AI capabilities. The work emphasizes deep conceptual understanding, experimental reasoning, data interpretation, and scientific accuracy.
Responsibilities
- Author original, challenging multiple-choice biology questions that assess deep conceptual understanding rather than surface-level recall.
- Review and verify pre-written biology questions for accuracy, clarity, completeness, rigor, and solvability.
- Ensure questions are unambiguous, self-contained, and precisely defined, with all necessary information included.
- Assign difficulty ratings as Medium, Hard, or Expert based on the level of biological knowledge required.
- Provide one correct answer and nine plausible but subtly incorrect alternatives designed to challenge advanced solvers.
- Develop clear, step-by-step solutions with concise intermediate reasoning in Markdown format.
- Provide 1–5 reputable academic references for each question, including peer-reviewed journals and university repositories.
- Identify and document issues involving clarity, precision, completeness, or solvability during verification.
- Apply rigorous scientific standards to ensure assessment content supports high-quality AI benchmarking.
Required Qualifications
- PhD or doctoral-level study in Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, or a closely related field.
- Strong command of graduate-level biological concepts, experimental design, and data interpretation.
- Deep expertise in at least one of the covered biology domains.
- Strong ability to formulate, solve, and critically evaluate advanced biological problems.
- Excellent written English and ability to communicate complex scientific concepts clearly and concisely.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to scientific accuracy and rigor.
- Ability to work independently in an asynchronous, fully remote environment.
- Availability for approximately 10+ hours per week.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree with exceptional depth in a relevant biological subdomain.
- Research publications in biological or life sciences.
- Hands-on laboratory or research experience.
- Experience designing rigorous academic biology assessments or problem sets.
- Expertise in areas such as drug discovery, synthetic biology, pharmaceutical manufacturing, agricultural biology, environmental biology, or food biology.
- Experience reviewing peer-reviewed scientific literature.
- Previous experience with AI evaluation, benchmarking, or technical content verification.
Compensation
- $60–$75/hour
- Hourly contract engagement.
- Expected commitment of 10+ hours per week.
- Fully remote and asynchronous.
- Opportunity to contribute to gold-standard biology benchmarks for advanced AI systems.
Eligibility
- Candidates with a PhD or doctoral-level background in Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, or a closely related field.
- Master's-level candidates may be considered where they demonstrate exceptional expertise in a relevant subdomain.
- Applicants should have expertise in one or more of the following areas:
- Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
- Industrial & Synthetic Biology
- Medical Research & Drug Discovery
- Agricultural Biology
- Environmental Biology
- Food Biology
Application Process
- Apply for the Biology Specialist position.
- Complete the required screening process.
- Demonstrate relevant biological expertise and academic or research experience.
- Complete any required assessment or sample problem-design task.
- Complete onboarding if selected.
- Begin authoring or verifying high-quality biology benchmark questions for the AI research initiative.
Biology Research Specialist (Remote | $60–$75/hr) in Oxford employer: Synthires
Join a forward-thinking company that values your legal expertise while offering the flexibility of remote work. With competitive compensation and a culture that fosters collaboration across disciplines, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to innovative AI projects that shape the future of legal technology. This role not only allows for meaningful engagement in corporate law but also provides avenues for professional growth in an evolving field.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Biology Research Specialist (Remote | $60–$75/hr) in Oxford
✨Get Involved in Online Biology Communities
Join forums and communities on platforms like ResearchGate or LinkedIn focused on biology. Engage in discussions, share your expertise, and let others know you’re open for freelance opportunities. The more visible you are, the more likely you'll snag freelance gigs!
✨Showcase Your Work with a Portfolio
Create a public portfolio highlighting your projects, research papers, or even blog posts about biology. This gives potential clients a taste of what you can offer. Think of it as your freelance shopfront—we can help you set yours up through our platform!
✨Network through Local Events and Conferences
Attend local biology meetups, workshops, and conferences. These are great hotspots to network and make connections that could lead to freelance opportunities. Plus, you’ll meet like-minded individuals who might want to collaborate or refer you to someone in need of your skills.
✨Leverage Social Media to Connect with Potential Clients
Don’t underestimate the power of social media! Use platforms like Twitter to connect with industry professionals and organisations in the biology field. Share your knowledge, comment on trends, and make it clear that you’re available for freelance work—people love a proactive approach!
We think you need these skills to ace Biology Research Specialist (Remote | $60–$75/hr) in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Expertise:When applying for this freelance biology role, make sure you showcase your specialisms in your CV. Mention specific fields you’re passionate about, whether it’s genetics, ecology, or microbiology. The more relevant your knowledge appears, the better!
Show Off Your Projects:Freelancing often hinges on a solid portfolio, so include details of any research, writing, or projects you've completed in biology. If you have any publications or articles, link to them! This extra proof of your skills can make your application stand out.
Tailored Cover Letter Vibes:In your cover letter, chat about what excites you about the freelance opportunity with Synthires. Talk about why you want to work remotely in biology and the flexibility it brings. Let them know how this role aligns with your professional goals and passion for the subject!
Rates and Availability Matter:Don’t forget to clearly state your rates and availability upfront. As a freelancer, it’s crucial to manage expectations from the get-go, and this can save both you and Synthires time. Be straightforward and keep it professional while letting your enthusiasm for the work shine through!
How to prepare for a job interview at Synthires
✨Show Off Your Research Skills
In the biology field, it’s crucial to demonstrate solid research skills. Bring along examples of past projects or studies you've worked on, especially those that relate to the specific projects Synthires is involved in. Highlight how you approached research questions and the methodology you used.
✨Know Your Bio-Tech Tools
Freelance biology roles often involve specific tools and software. Be ready to chat about any bioinformatics software or lab equipment you’ve used. If you can demonstrate your proficiency with tools relevant to the work Synthires does, it’ll set you apart from other candidates.
✨Pitch Your Unique Value
As a freelancer, it’s all about selling your expertise. Prepare a brief pitch that highlights your unique skills and experiences. Think about what specific biological knowledge or skills you bring to the table that would benefit Synthires – it's all about showcasing how you can solve their problems.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect questions that involve problem-solving based on real-world scenarios. Freelance interviews in biology may involve discussing how you'd handle specific experiments or manage project deadlines. Practising responses to hypothetical questions will help you feel more confident when it comes to tackling these in the interview.
