01 · The role
What you would do
- Write hard single-turn prompts on synthetic routes and process chemistry, each labeled benign, dual-use or adversarial
- Judge each model response against a set policy standard: did it answer legitimate questions in full and refuse dangerous ones?
- Write the correct reference answer, with the technical reasoning behind it
- Explain each judgment in writing, clearly enough for a non-specialist to follow
02 · Requirements
What they ask for
- Experience designing synthetic routes and scaling them from bench to pilot to plant
- A background in pharmaceutical, agrochemical or fine chemicals process work: optimization, kinetics, impurity control and scale-up safety reviews
- Strong technical writing, and the ability to read and write about misuse scenarios for long stretches
- Willingness to keep classified, export-controlled and NDA-covered knowledge out of the work
Helpful, not required
- Red-teaming experience
- Precursor sourcing, controlled-substance registration or regulatory chemistry
- Method development in a GMP or similar quality setting
- Synthetic chemistry
- Process chemistry
- Scale-up
- AI red-teaming
03 · Eligibility
Who can apply
Remote. The listing does not name eligible countries, so Mercor's own rules decide: it can only onboard people in countries its payments support, which in October 2026 included Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and Egypt but not Kenya.
Some African countries
Open in some African countries only: check the listing for which. Mercor in Africa
Apply from where you live, as yourself. Using a VPN or someone else's identity to get around a country rule breaks these platforms' terms, and it is the quickest way to lose an account and any unpaid earnings.
04 · Applying
How to get in
You apply through Mercor's own process. The steps from sign-up to first paid task are on its profile.
- How AI interviews work at micro1 and Mercor: what the AI interview checks, and how to prepare.
- Getting paid from Africa: PayPal, Payoneer, Airtm, Wise and more. It covers which of Mercor's payout routes work where you live, and what they cost.
05 · Source
About this listing
We last confirmed this opening on Nov 1, 2026, and it was posted on Sep 14, 2026. Rates and hours come from the listing unless the note beside the rate says otherwise. Where the listing names no countries, the Africa status is our reading of it and of what is known of Mercor's country rules, set out on its profile, and never marks a role more open than they show. The listing itself has the final word.
The listing on work.mercor.com(opens in a new tab)