Astronomer Quality Assurance Lead (QAL)

Skills

About this role

In this hourly, remote contractor role, you will work as an Astronomy / Astrophysics Quality Assurance Lead (QAL) to oversee quality, consistency, and trainer performance across astronomy and astrophysics AI training projects. You will review AI-generated astronomy/astrophysics content and trainer/QA work, evaluate output quality against project guidelines, provide precise written feedback, and ensure that all contributors follow the expected quality standards.

Astrophysics, Cosmology, Astronomy

Responsibilities

• Quality monitoring: Spot-check astronomy/astrophysics items, identify quality issues, provide ongoing feedback through DMs, and escalate recurring or critical issues.
• Scientific review: Evaluate AI-generated astronomy/astrophysics explanations, calculations, diagrams, observational interpretations, comparisons, and step-by-step reasoning for accuracy and clarity.
• Trainer and QA communication: Update trainers and QAs on Discord about new item guidelines, project changes, workflow updates, quality expectations, and astronomy/astrophysics-specific review standards.
• Question handling: Respond to trainer/QA questions clearly and promptly, especially around physical assumptions, units, astronomical terminology, observational methods, and formulas.
• Trainer/QA activation management: DM contributors who are inactive or not working, encourage activation, track follow-ups, and flag availability issues when needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD degree in Astronomy, Astrophysics, Physics, Space Science, Planetary Science, Cosmology, or a closely related field.
• Strong grasp of the English language to follow project guidelines, communicate with teams, and provide clear written feedback.
• 3+ years of experience in astronomy/astrophysics research, teaching, science communication, academic review, data analysis, observatory work, or related scientific workflows.
• Strong understanding of celestial mechanics, stellar evolution, galaxies, cosmology, electromagnetic radiation, observational methods, spectroscopy, planetary systems, black holes, and scientific uncertainty.
• Ability to evaluate astronomy/astrophysics content against detailed rubrics and identify issues such as incorrect physical assumptions, wrong units, flawed calculations, hallucinated facts, or misleading explanations.