Mercor

Genomics & Cell Biology Specialist

  • Kind of work: Science
  • Location: United Kingdom, United States only
  • Experience: Expert
  • Hours: Part time
  • Languages: English

$70–100/hr

Remote part time science contract with Mercor, $70–100/hr, open to people in United Kingdom, United States. Posted Oct 22.

$70–100/hr

Apply on Mercor

Is this job worth applying to?

Pay
About typicalTops out at $100/hr. The typical top rate across 106 priced science listings is $90/hr.
Getting in
Some screening~30 min: resume upload + 20-min AI interview. Resume showing real experience in your field.
Steady work
Work is patchyProjects can pause or end with little notice.
Payout record
Pays on timeSchedule: weekly, every Wednesday. Paid via Stripe (Wise in a few countries).
Freshness
RecentPosted 2w ago. Still listed on Mercor on Nov 6, 2026.
Where you live
Named countries onlyOpen in United Kingdom, United States.

The job description

Join a leading AI lab's cutting-edge research team to be at the core of the AI revolution, where your expertise fuels the development of the most advanced LLMs.

1\. Overview

Join a leading AI lab's cutting-edge research team and help build foundational AI models for science from the ground up. We're seeking talented Genomics and Cell Biology subject-matter experts (SMEs), including molecular biologists, cell biologists, geneticists and synthetic biologists working at the bench or computationally, to bring recent, hands-on laboratory expertise to the design and evaluation of advanced AI models for biology.

This is a part-time position through Cincinnatus LLC (or an appropriate international entity), with the opportunity to be placed at a leading AI Lab as part of their extended workforce.

2\. Key Responsibilities

  • Guide research and engineering teams to close knowledge gaps and improve AI model performance in molecular cloning, primer and CRISPR design, functional genomics, sequence analysis and cell-based assays.
  • Design challenging, non-searchable biology tasks, benchmarks and training data, and write accurate, well-structured solutions to problems such as construct design, protocol planning and assay troubleshooting.
  • Evaluate AI model outputs and step-by-step reasoning on biology tasks, judging the biological feasibility of proposed protocols and computational workflows, and provide clear, written technical feedback.
  • Develop specifications, grading rubrics and verification processes for biology data produced by external technical teams, and act as the domain authority on data quality.
  • Collaborate with other subject matter experts to ensure consistency and accuracy in training data.

3\. Core Qualifications

  • PhD in molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, genomics, synthetic biology, biochemistry or a closely related discipline. Strong recent PhD graduates and postdoctoral researchers are encouraged to apply.
  • Recent, hands-on experience (bench or computational) with workflows such as PCR / qPCR, molecular cloning, CRISPR, cell-based assays, sequence analysis or functional genomics.
  • Broad experience across organisms, model systems and methods, rather than a single narrow technique.
  • Comfortable using scientific software and AI tools (no coding required).
  • Ability to engage reliably for at least 20 hours/week during weekdays.
  • Strong written communication and collaboration skills, and the ability to explain complex technical decisions clearly.
  • Nice to have: 1 to 3 years of post-PhD experience, or experience evaluating AI models or agents, designing benchmarks, or writing grading rubrics.

About Cincinnatus LLC: Cincinnatus LLC is an enterprise staffing company that partners with leading technology companies to source and employ highly skilled professionals for contingent and contract-based opportunities. Cincinnatus, or an appropriate international entity, serves as the employer of record for these engagements, providing employment, payroll, benefits, and compliance, while placing employees directly within client teams to work on high-impact initiatives.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Cincinnatus is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or any other legally protected characteristic.

How do you apply to Mercor?

  1. Apply on Mercor

    The Apply button opens this post on Mercor's own site. You apply with them, not with Rubric. Budget about 30 min: resume upload + 20-min AI interview.

  2. Get through screening

    What Mercor asks for after you apply:

    • Take the recorded AI video interview (practice round available)
    • Complete any role-specific assessment and the ID check
    • Accept the offer and sign the contract
  3. Start work and get paid

    Pay schedule: weekly, every Wednesday. Paid via Stripe (Wise in a few countries). You're paid for the work they hand out, not a fixed salary.

Mercor also needs

  • Resume showing real experience in your field
  • Webcam with your full face visible for the AI interview
  • Government ID

Red flags

  • Red flagLong waits with no offer after passing the interview
  • Red flagProjects ending abruptly with little warning

What is Mercor like to work for?

Hiring marketplace that screens professionals with an AI video interview and places them on hourly contracts training and evaluating models for AI labs.

Advertised pay$20–200/hr
Getting inSome screening
Application takes~30 min: resume upload + 20-min AI interview
How you get paidWeekly, every Wednesday, via Stripe (Wise in a few countries)
Payout recordPays on time
CountriesHires in many countries and runs its pay week on India Standard Time; Mercor keeps a list of locations it cannot onboard, and some projects are US-only.

Most listings sit around $50–100/hr; healthcare, legal and finance roles pay the most, language and generalist roles the least.

$70–100/hrAdvertised payApply on Mercor