Physics Research Expert - PhD in London

Physics Research Expert - PhD in London

London Freelance 64000 - 112000 £ / year (est.) Working from home possible
Mercor

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Tackle exciting physics challenges and create innovative solutions using Python.
  • Company: Join a leading AI research lab backed by top investors in a remote role.
  • Benefits: Earn $80–$140/hour with flexible hours and the chance to work on groundbreaking projects.
  • Other info: Enjoy a dynamic remote work environment with daily application reviews.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the field of physics while collaborating with elite talent.
  • Qualifications: PhD or postdoc in relevant subfield, with strong publication record and coding skills.

The predicted salary is between 64000 - 112000 £ per year.

Mercor connects elite creative and technical talent with leading AI research labs. Headquartered in San Francisco, our investors include Benchmark, General Catalyst, Peter Thiel, Adam D'Angelo, Larry Summers, and Jack Dorsey.

Position: Research Physics Expert

Type: Contract

Compensation: $80–$140/hour

Location: Remote

Commitment: ~10 hours/week

Role Responsibilities

  • Solve research-level physics challenges end-to-end with verifiable derivations, code, and peer-reviewed references.
  • Decompose challenges into standalone checkpoint sub-problems that require genuine physical reasoning.
  • Author Python answer templates with auto-grading functions for symbolic or numerical answers.
  • Audit submitted solutions for correctness, scope, and method soundness; deliver actionable feedback across iterations.
  • Adjudicate between parallel solver attempts and decide which solution becomes the golden reference.
  • Document chain-of-thought reasoning, error tolerances, equivalent symbolic forms, and verification test cases.

Qualifications

Must-Have

  • PhD or postdoc in the relevant subfield (senior PhD student minimum).
  • Postdoc or junior professor in the relevant subfield (PhD minimum).
  • Full professor or industry research PI in the relevant subfield (senior postdoc or junior professor minimum).
  • Hands-on familiarity with at least two canonical methods of the target subfield, demonstrable through publications.
  • 3–5 representative publications (arXiv ID or DOI), ideally within the last ~5 years and in the target subfield.
  • Working proficiency with LaTeX, Python, Jupyter, and SymPy.
  • Strong written English (B2/C1/C2 minimum; native or near-native preferred).

Application Process (Takes 20–30 mins to complete)

  • Upload resume
  • AI interview based on your resume
  • Submit form

For details about the interview process and platform information, please check:

For any help or support, reach out to:

PS: Our team reviews applications daily. Please complete your AI interview and application steps to be considered for this opportunity.

Physics Research Expert - PhD in London employer: Mercor

Mercor is an exceptional employer for those passionate about advancing AI research, offering a unique opportunity to collaborate with elite talent and leading research labs from the comfort of your own home. With a commitment to fostering a supportive work culture, employees benefit from flexible hours, competitive compensation, and the chance to contribute to groundbreaking projects that push the boundaries of physics. The company prioritises professional growth, encouraging continuous learning and innovation in a dynamic remote environment.

Mercor

Contact Details:

Mercor Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Physics Research Expert - PhD in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the physics community and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have a lead or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for those AI interviews! Brush up on your Python skills and be ready to showcase your problem-solving abilities. Practising common interview questions can really help you stand out.

Tip Number 3

Showcase your work! If you've got publications, make sure to highlight them during your interviews. Discussing your research and how it relates to the role can really impress the hiring team.

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the quickest way to get your application seen by our team. Plus, completing the AI interview will give you a leg up in the selection process.

We think you need these skills to ace Physics Research Expert - PhD in London

Research-Level Physics Problem Solving
Verifiable Derivations
Python Programming
Auto-Grading Functions Development
Solution Auditing
Feedback Delivery
Documentation of Reasoning

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Resume:Make sure your resume highlights your relevant experience and skills that match the job description. We want to see how your PhD or postdoc work aligns with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing those publications!

Show Off Your Skills:When filling out your application, emphasise your proficiency in Python, LaTeX, and Jupyter. We’re looking for candidates who can demonstrate their hands-on familiarity with these tools, so give us examples of how you've used them in your research.

Be Clear and Concise:In your written responses, clarity is key! We appreciate well-structured answers that get straight to the point. Remember, we’re looking for strong written English, so make sure your language is polished and professional.

Complete the AI Interview:Don’t forget to complete the AI interview after submitting your application! It’s a crucial step in our process, and we review applications daily. Make sure you give it your best shot to stand out from the crowd!

How to prepare for a job interview at Mercor

Know Your Physics Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest research and methodologies in your subfield. Brush up on your publications and be ready to discuss them in detail, as they’ll likely come up during the interview.

Showcase Your Coding Skills

Since Python and LaTeX are crucial for this role, prepare to demonstrate your coding abilities. Have examples ready that showcase your experience with auto-grading functions or any relevant projects you've worked on.

Prepare for Problem-Solving Questions

Expect to tackle some complex physics challenges during the interview. Practice breaking down problems into smaller parts and explaining your thought process clearly, as this will highlight your genuine physical reasoning skills.

Communicate Clearly and Confidently

Strong written and verbal communication is key. Practice articulating your ideas and feedback succinctly, especially when discussing your chain-of-thought reasoning and verification test cases.