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: Dynamic remote environment with daily application reviews and support available.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the world of physics while collaborating with elite talent.
- Qualifications: PhD or postdoc in relevant field, with strong coding and publication record.
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
Resources & Support
For details about the interview process and platform information, please check: Interview Process
For any help or support, reach out to: support@mercor.com
PS: Our team reviews applications daily. Please complete your AI interview and application steps to be considered for this opportunity.
Physics Research Expert - PhD 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, Mercor provides flexible hours and competitive compensation, ensuring that employees can thrive both professionally and personally. The company prioritises employee growth through meaningful projects and access to cutting-edge resources, making it an ideal environment for innovative thinkers in the field of physics.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Physics Research Expert - PhD
✨Tip Number 1
Get familiar with the company and its projects. Research Mercor's recent work and understand their mission. This will help you tailor your responses during the interview and show that you're genuinely interested in what they do.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your coding skills, especially in Python. Since you'll be authoring answer templates and auditing solutions, being sharp with your coding will give you an edge. Use platforms like Jupyter to simulate real-world problems.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the AI interview by reviewing your own publications and research. Be ready to discuss your methodologies and findings in detail. This will not only showcase your expertise but also demonstrate your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! Completing your application and AI interview promptly increases your chances of getting noticed. Plus, we review applications daily, so the sooner you get in, the better!
We think you need these skills to ace Physics Research Expert - PhD
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Stellar Resume:Make sure your resume shines! Highlight your PhD or postdoc experience, relevant publications, and hands-on skills in Python and LaTeX. We want to see what makes you stand out!
Nail the AI Interview:The AI interview is your chance to showcase your expertise. Prepare by reviewing your past work and be ready to discuss your problem-solving approach. We’re excited to see how you tackle challenges!
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application. Tailor it to reflect your understanding of the role and how your background fits with our needs. We love seeing applicants who take the time to connect their experience with our mission!
Submit Through Our Website:Remember to apply through our website for a smooth process! It’s quick and easy, and we review applications daily. We can’t wait to hear from you!
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 is a key part of the role, prepare to demonstrate your coding abilities. Have examples ready that showcase your experience with auto-grading functions and how you've used Python in past projects.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to tackle some research-level physics challenges during the interview. Practice breaking down complex problems into manageable parts and think aloud as you work through them to show your reasoning process.
✨Communicate Clearly and Effectively
Strong written English is a must, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Be prepared to explain your chain-of-thought reasoning and document your solutions in a way that’s easy to follow.
