Statistics Expert (PhD)

$90–120/hrrate as listed

micro1 is contracting statistics PhDs to write and review advanced statistical problem-solutions used as training and benchmark data for frontier AI models. Work is remote, output-based (paid per accepted task), with observed rates in the $90–120/hr range and a weekly minimum submission requirement.

Summary, eligibility guidance and screening preparation are prepared by Sidequest from the platform's posting. Check the source listing before applying.

What the work involves

You will answer advanced statistics prompts the way a careful referee or thesis advisor would: correct result, stated assumptions, visible derivation, and a note on where the reasoning would break. Some tasks are generative — write the authoritative "golden response" that becomes the benchmark a model is scored against. Others are evaluative — read a model's or another contributor's solution and decide whether the inference is valid, the estimator is appropriate, the conditioning is right, and whether a plausible-looking answer is quietly wrong. Expect coverage across probability theory, statistical inference, Bayesian methods, experimental design, biostatistics, and computational statistics, at a range of technical registers.

A large share of the value is in documentation. You record why an approach was chosen, what alternatives were rejected, and what the failure modes are, so downstream annotators and researchers can reuse your judgment. Occasional remote syncs with annotation leads clarify spec changes; most of the work is solitary and asynchronous.

What the screening looks for

Verifiable credentials and depth — a PhD in statistics or an adjacent quantitative field, and the ability to hold that depth under follow-up rather than restating textbook definitions.
Precision in writing — whether you can make a subtle point about identifiability, multiplicity, or prior sensitivity legible to a reader who is not a statistician.
Evaluation judgment — can you spot the difference between an answer that is wrong and an answer that is right for the wrong reason, and grade consistently against a rubric.
Realistic availability — micro1 typically fills these roles within 48 hours and expects first tasks within 24–48 hours of onboarding.

Logistics

Fully remote and asynchronous. Contractor engagement, output-based: you are paid per task that meets spec, so effective hourly earnings depend on your speed and first-pass acceptance rate. The $90–120/hr band reflects observed reporting for this listing tier, not a guaranteed wage. Minimum weekly task submissions apply; most contributors treat this as a flexible part-time commitment alongside academic or industry work. Prior AI or annotation experience is not required.

What they look for

statistics
PhD
statistical approach
advanced data analysis
MySQL

Before you apply

Would you pass this screen?

Drawn from what this listing actually requires. Answered in your browser — nothing is sent to us, and we do not store your answers.

Do you hold a PhD in Statistics, Biostatistics, or a mathematically adjacent field (e.g., Mathematics, Physics, Operations Research, Econometrics) where your dissertation focused substantially on statistical theory or methods?
PhD in Statistics or closely related field · required
Can you demonstrate working knowledge in at least three of the following: probability theory, statistical inference, Bayesian methods, causal inference, experimental design, computational statistics, biostatistics, or time series analysis—through research, teaching, or applied projects?
Advanced statistics expertise across sub-disciplines · required
Have you authored or co-authored at least one of the following: peer-reviewed research article, technical report, textbook or textbook chapter, course curriculum, or scientific review in statistics—where the material is publicly available or verifiable?
Published or documented technical writing in statistics · required
Are you available to begin tasks within 24–48 hours of onboarding, and can you commit to meeting a minimum weekly task submission quota on a flexible, output-based schedule?
Remote work readiness and availability · required
Do you have hands-on experience writing SQL queries or performing advanced data cleaning, aggregation, or analysis in a statistical or data engineering context?
SQL or advanced data analysis experience · preferred
Is English your primary working language, and do you have demonstrated ability to write clear, precise technical explanations for audiences with varying statistical backgrounds?
English written communication proficiency · required

0 of 6 answered

Included with this listing

Interview prep — 11 questions

Matched to what this platform's screening actually measures. Answer each out loud in 60–90 seconds: claim → concrete example → implication.

What it tests: Whether the candidate can articulate their pedagogical approach to complex stats topics and has genuine publication or teaching output, not just theoretical knowledge.
A strong answer: Name a specific statistical concept (e.g., hierarchical Bayesian models, causal inference, survival analysis), cite where it was published or taught, and explain the concrete choices made to make it accessible—such as layering intuition before formalism, choosing examples, or structuring prerequisites.
Where people lose it: Describing statistics knowledge in the abstract without naming a real artifact or audience, or claiming teaching experience without evidence of actual written or published work others have read.