AI & Machine Learning Researcher; Remote

Position: AI & Machine Learning Researcher (Remote | $140–$150/hr)
ML Research Expert — Published First Author (Benchmark Authoring)

Position:
ML Research Expert — Published First Author (Benchmark Authoring)

Type:
Contract

Compensation:
$140–$150/hour

Location:

Remote

About the Opportunity
After Query is seeking experienced  Machine Learning Research Experts with published first-author research  to design and validate benchmark tasks that measure what frontier AI models can actually accomplish across machine learning.
This opportunity is intended for researchers who  write ML code, conduct experiments, and publish research results , rather than candidates with annotation or data-labeling experience. Selected contributors will develop realistic research tasks, expert-level reference solutions, and grading rubrics within their areas of deep technical expertise.
The work spans a broad range of machine learning and AI research domains, including  language models, deep learning, reinforcement learning, computer vision, robotics, ML systems, optimization and theory, causal reasoning, trustworthy learning, and AI for science .
Responsibilities
Design realistic and technically rigorous  machine learning research tasks and problem sets  within your area of expertise.
Develop benchmark challenges that assess the ability of AI models to solve authentic ML research problems.
Author expert-level  reference solutions  for assigned research tasks.
Develop detailed  grading rubrics  that enable consistent evaluation of model performance.
Apply hands-on machine learning research experience when designing and validating benchmark content.
Ensure tasks are technically accurate, challenging, reproducible, and relevant to real ML research workflows.
Validate research tasks and solutions against appropriate technical and methodological standards.

Required Qualifications
At least  one first-author research paper  in machine learning or a closely related field.
Master's or PhD degree  in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field, completed or currently in progress.
At least  1 year of hands-on machine learning research experience .
Practical experience writing  machine learning code  for training, evaluation, experimentation, or ML systems work.
Demonstrated experience conducting research and reporting technical results.
Strong expertise in at least one relevant machine learning research area.
Ability to design and evaluate technically sophisticated ML research problems.
Candidates must meet the specified experience and education requirements and provide the requested supporting materials.

Preferred Qualifications
Multiple  first-author machine learning publications .
Research papers demonstrating measured improvements over established baselines.
Publications at recognized ML/AI research venues, including:
NeurIPS
ICML
ICLR
CVPR
ACL
EMNLP
CoRL
MLSys
Deep specialization in one or more of the listed research areas rather than broad familiarity across many areas.
Experience developing research benchmarks, evaluation methodologies, or technical problem sets.
Strong record of experimental machine learning research and reproducible technical work.
Key Areas of Expertise
Language Models
Deep Learning
Reinforcement Learning
Computer Vision
Generative AI
Robotics
ML Systems
Efficient Machine Learning
Optimization & Learning Theory
Classical Machine Learning
Adaptive Learning
Time Series & Forecasting
Structured Reasoning
Causal Reasoning
Trustworthy Machine Learning
AI for Science
Compensation & Engagement
Compensation:  $140–$150/hour
Engagement Type:  Independent contract
Work Arrangement:  Fully remote and asynchronous

Hours:

Flexible commitment of approximately  5–40 hours per week
Project Focus:  Machine learning research benchmark authoring and AI evaluation
Experience Level:  1+ years…