STEM Expert – Chemistry & Computational Chemistry (PhD)
$45–90/hr
Remote science contract with micro1, $45–90/hr, open worldwide. Posted Oct 15.
$45–90/hr
Apply on micro1Is this job worth applying to?
- Pay
- About typicalTops out at $90/hr. The typical top rate across 106 priced science listings is $90/hr.
- Getting in
- Some screening~30–45 min: profile + AI interview. Computer with webcam and mic for the AI interview.
- Steady work
- Work is patchyLong waits between tasks are common.
- Payout record
- Some delaysSchedule: twice a month. Paid via micro1 platform wallet (contractor payments).
- Freshness
- RecentPosted 3w ago. Still listed on micro1 on Nov 6, 2026.
- Where you live
- Open worldwideOpen worldwide.
The job description
Job Summary: In this role, you’ll apply your expertise to help train next-generation AI systems. Your work will shape how models learn, reason, and perform through high-quality, real-world input.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design, evaluate, and critique chemistry and computational chemistry problems, workflows, and reasoning chains to support AI benchmarking initiatives.
- Provide expert-level insights on reaction mechanisms, synthesis planning, spectroscopy analysis, molecular simulations, and electronic structure methods.
- Assess and optimize experimental protocols, simulation parameters, and software configurations for accuracy and reproducibility.
- Analyze chemical, spectroscopic, and simulation data and provide actionable recommendations.
- Leverage domain knowledge to guide the development and validation of chemistry-related AI models and tools.
- Communicate complex scientific concepts clearly, both in writing and verbally, to technical and non-technical collaborators.
- Document findings, methodologies, and best practices to ensure knowledge transfer across the customer’s team.
Areas of Expertise (we welcome applicants from any of the following):
- Organic synthesis & reaction mechanisms
- Inorganic & organometallic chemistry
- Physical & theoretical chemistry
- Analytical chemistry & spectroscopy
- Computational chemistry & molecular dynamics
- Cheminformatics & drug discovery
- Materials science & polymer chemistry
Required Skills and Qualifications:
- PhD in chemistry, computational chemistry, chemical biology, materials science, or a closely related field.
- Hands-on research lab experience, including wet lab experience for experimental subfields, or extensive simulation-heavy research for computational subfields.
- Deep expertise in at least one of the areas listed above.
- Professional written and spoken English (C1 or higher).
- Proficiency in Python and/or industry-standard tools in your subfield (e.g., Gaussian, ORCA, Psi4, GROMACS, LAMMPS, RDKit).
- Excellent quantitative, analytical, and scientific reasoning skills.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication abilities, with the ability to clearly document and explain technical concepts.
- Track record of rigorous scientific problem-solving in complex chemistry domains.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Academic experience (postdoc, research scientist, faculty, or equivalent), strongly preferred.
- Peer-reviewed publications, patents, or contributions to open-source scientific software.
- Experience with AI/ML-assisted chemistry workflows or benchmarking.
- Background in drug discovery, reaction prediction, or retrosynthesis.
How do you apply to micro1?
Apply on micro1
The Apply button opens this post on micro1's own site. You apply with them, not with Rubric. Budget about 30–45 min: profile + AI interview.
Get through screening
What micro1 asks for after you apply:
- Do the AI interview with Zara on a computer (not a phone)
- Take any skill assessment and verify your identity
- Wait to be matched to a project and sign the contract
Start work and get paid
Pay schedule: twice a month. Paid via micro1 platform wallet (contractor payments). You're paid for the work they hand out, not a fixed salary.
micro1 also needs
- Computer with webcam and mic for the AI interview
- Relevant degree or work history for expert roles
Red flags
- Red flagWeeks of silence after the AI interview
- Red flagContracts signed but no onboarding or tasks
- Red flagProjects ending or changing scope without notice
What is micro1 like to work for?
Recruiting company that vets experts with an AI interviewer (Zara) and staffs them on contract AI-training and evaluation projects for AI labs.
| Advertised pay | $15–135/hr |
|---|---|
| Getting in | Some screening |
| Application takes | ~30–45 min: profile + AI interview |
| How you get paid | Twice a month, via micro1 platform wallet (contractor payments) |
| Payout record | Some delays |
| Countries | Recruits globally with heavy hiring in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe; India-based applicants are eligible for many roles. |
Generalist and annotation roles start around $15–30/hr; coding, STEM and law/medicine roles commonly list $40–90/hr and occasionally more.
