Swahili Linguistic Expert

About the Role

Mercor is recruiting expert Swahili linguists to collaborate with a leading research institution on an advanced AI development project. This position is vital for improving how large language models handle the Swahili language. You will perform high-level data curation and performance evaluations, helping to refine AI systems to adhere to strict linguistic and cultural benchmarks. This is a chance to directly influence how AI technology functions for Swahili speakers. Your input will bridge the gap between human language complexity and machine interpretation, ensuring models provide accurate and contextually appropriate outputs.

Requirements

• The ideal candidate possesses native or near-native fluency in Swahili, demonstrating an exceptional command over grammar, syntax, and stylistics.
• You should have professional experience in translation, editing, linguistic annotation, or working with natural language processing datasets.
• A deep understanding of Swahili regional variations, register, and context-appropriate usage is required, along with professional fluency in English.
• Candidates should be highly detail-oriented with the ability to identify subtle errors, unnatural phrasing, and linguistic inconsistencies.
• Previous experience working in distributed or remote teams is essential for success in this role, and a demonstrated interest in AI and LLM-driven technologies is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• You will be tasked with evaluating the quality and accuracy of Swahili text generated by large language models, specifically focusing on tasks such as translation, summarization, dialogue, and grammar correction.
• Your duties will include editing, refining, and rewriting content to ensure it aligns with cultural expectations for Swahili audiences.
• Furthermore, you will annotate text for grammatical, syntactic, and semantic features to improve data quality.
• A core part of this role involves identifying model errors, gaps in language proficiency, and providing detailed analytical feedback to AI researchers to guide the ongoing development and training of the model.

Benefits & Perks

• You will have the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge AI research in partnership with a leading laboratory and engage in high-impact projects that support the development of advanced systems.
• This role provides hands-on exposure to state-of-the-art AI development and the chance to join a fast-moving team where your professional judgment will have a significant and direct impact on the project's success.