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OpenTrainPhD

Security Researcher (Research Coding Tasks)

You will create self-contained coding tasks used to test AI models, using your expertise in security research. You will also review model outputs and give feedback based on research-quality standards.

Field
Cybersecurity
Where
United States, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Australia +89 more
Commitment
part time
Hours
up to 20/week
Asks for
PhD
Posted
4 days ago

Pay data for your profession: PhD AI trainer jobs

How this pay compares

At $50/hr, this role pays more than 32% of the 56 open cybersecurity roles with a listed pay range, below the median of $70.

Among platforms with 10 or more priced cybersecurity roles, OpenTrain AI has the highest median ($93/hr across 14 roles) and Alignerr the lowest ($50/hr across 33).

OpenTrain AI roles that closed since late October stayed listed a median of 31 days (122 roles). OpenTrain AI posted this one 4 days ago.

Computed from 2,746 open roles we track across Mercor, micro1, Handshake AI, Alignerr, Appen and OpenTrain AI, refreshed daily. Midpoints of listed ranges; “up to” ceilings are left out of medians.

What you would earn at this rate

Rate

$50/hr

Per week, before tax

$1,000

Per month, if the work is steady

$4,333

Tax
Contract pay arrives with no tax withheld. A US contractor at this rate and these hours would set aside about $1,096 a month for self-employment tax plus federal income tax at the 12% bracket (25%, before state tax). Outside the US, your own country's rules apply.

Assumes paid hours only; unpaid assessments, onboarding and gaps between projects lower the real figure. Full take-home calculator · Track what you actually earn

Open cybersecurity roles on each platform

The same kind of work, priced on every platform we track, with the best-paid open role on each.

PlatformOpenMedianBest-paid open role
Mercor4$99/hr4 pricedCybersecurity Research Expert – Offensive Security & Vulnerability Research$200-250/hr
OpenTrain AIthis role15$93/hrSecurity Red Teaming Intelligence Expert AI Trainer$200/hr
micro15$70/hrCyber Threat Intelligence SME$70-110/hr
Alignerr33$50/hrAI Penetration Tester$60-120/hr
All 58 open cybersecurity roles →

The full listing

As posted on OpenTrain AI. See the original

The work

You will create self-contained coding tasks used to test AI models, using your expertise in security research. You will also review model outputs and give feedback based on research-quality standards.

Your work may cover fuzzing, vulnerability detection, binary analysis, systems security, and LLM agent security. You will work with a project lead to keep tasks accurate, rigorous, and connected to current security research.

  • Build technical research coding tasks in your security specialty.
  • Review AI-generated work and provide clear, technically grounded feedback.
  • Develop tasks that reflect your existing research practice.
  • Help maintain accurate and reproducible research standards.

What it pays and takes

This is an asynchronous remote contract designed to fit around your research schedule. The role is open to candidates in the eligible countries for this project.

  • Pay: $50 per hour.
  • Time: 20 or more hours per week.
  • Language: Fluent in English.
  • Education: Completed or in-progress PhD in computer science or a related field.
  • Research: Published security research with code released through GitHub or a comparable research artifact.
  • Expertise: Ability to contribute at research quality in a security specialty.
  • Communication: Strong written technical communication and sound judgment when evaluating AI-generated work.
  • Helpful background: First-author publications at USENIX Security, CCS, IEEE S&P, NDSS, or comparable venues.
  • Helpful background: Depth in fuzzing, vulnerability detection, binary analysis, systems security, or LLM agent security.
  • Helpful background: Comfort with Docker and reproducible research environments.

How it works

Apply on OpenTrain with your resume, then complete the application on the hiring site.

About AI training work

AI training is the human work behind systems that learn from examples. People create coding tasks, review model answers, and provide feedback so AI systems become more accurate and useful; specialized researchers are paid for applying their field expertise.

From applying to your first payment on OpenTrain AI

  1. 1

    Create a profile

    Create a free OpenTrain profile with your domains, languages and hourly rate.

  2. 2

    Apply

    Apply to the listing. Some listings hire through OpenTrain; others send you to the hiring platform.

  3. 3

    Funded milestones

    The client funds each milestone before work starts.

  4. 4

    First payment

    OpenTrain pays out to your connected payout method when the client approves the milestone. It doesn't publish a fixed payout schedule.

Sources: OpenTrain: AI training careers, OpenTrain docs: invoicing and payouts

Full OpenTrain AI profile: watch-outs and the public record →

Pay history

OpenTrain AI has listed this role at $50/hr since Nov 10, 2026 with no change.

What workers report about OpenTrain AI

Anonymous reports from people who applied or worked there: whether they got work, what they were paid and how fast.

Other cybersecurity roles

All 58 cybersecurity roles →