Role Overview
Mercor is collaborating with a leading AI lab on a large-scale supervised fine-tuning (SFT) initiative to improve how advanced language models handle real-world questions.
We are seeking high-performing students who are currently enrolled in or have graduated from top-50 colleges to contribute as generalist independent contractors. This is a flexible, project-based opportunity to apply strong reasoning and writing skills to frontier AI research while maintaining full control over your schedule.
Key Responsibilities
- Create realistic prompts that reflect how people naturally ask questions across general topics.
- Review and edit AI-generated responses for clarity, correctness, and usefulness.
- Write high-quality human-authored responses for selected prompts.
- Produce small variations on prompts to test nuanced differences in model behavior.
- Evaluate responses across different lengths, styles, and instructions.
- Identify weaknesses, ambiguities, and failure cases in model outputs.
Ideal Qualifications
- Currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student, or graduate of a top college or university.
- Strong written communication and critical thinking skills.
- Ability to synthesize information clearly and accurately.
- High attention to detail and comfort comparing similar written responses.
- Ability to work independently and manage time effectively.
More About the Opportunity
- Fully remote and asynchronous — work on your own schedule.
- Expected commitment: 10–40 hours per week.
- Project-based engagement with potential for ongoing work.
- All contributions are completed on a freelance basis through the Mercor platform.
Compensation & Contract Terms
- Pay: $35–$40/hour for completed work.
- Payments: Paid weekly via Stripe Connect (or Wise where applicable).
- Engagement Type: Independent contractor.
- Projects may be extended, shortened, or concluded early based on needs and performance.
- Work does not involve access to confidential or proprietary information from any employer, client, or institution.
- Note: H1-B and STEM OPT candidates are not supported at this time.
Application Process
- Submit your resume to get started.
- Complete a short form outlining your academic background and interests.
- Selected applicants will be invited to complete a brief sample task.
- Follow-ups are typically shared within a few days.
About Mercor
Mercor is a talent marketplace that connects top experts and high-performing contributors with leading AI labs and research organizations.
Investors include Benchmark, General Catalyst, Adam D’Angelo, Larry Summers, and Jack Dorsey.
Thousands of professionals and students across research, engineering, law, and creative fields use Mercor to contribute to cutting-edge AI projects.
Mercor considers all qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics and provides reasonable accommodations upon request.