$80–110/hr
The role in one line
Evaluate AI model performance on condensed matter physics by creating research scenarios and grading theoretical and experimental reasoning.
Written by Training Turk from the public listing; it may be incomplete or out of date. Read the full posting on Mercor.
What you would do
- Develop condensed matter research problems based on real physics questions with theoretical and experimental context
- Score model theoretical approaches for soundness and appropriateness
- Assess feasibility of proposed experiments and measurement strategies
- Create reference solutions with detailed theoretical derivations and experimental rationale
- Flag solutions overlooking relevant physics, measurement challenges, or literature
Who they are looking for
- PhD-level expertise in condensed matter or solid-state physics
- Research experience with hands-on experimental or computational work
- Deep understanding of current literature and open problems
- Clear written communication of complex physics concepts
- Ability to design realistic research problems that showcase model reasoning
Skills this role asks for
What the interview is likely to probe
1.Theoretical framework selection
Physics models require appropriate level of theory; your judgment ensures soundness.
Expect something like: “A model proposes mean-field theory for a problem with strong correlations. When would you accept this approximation?”
2.Experimental measurement design
Theory must connect to experiment; you evaluate feasibility.
Expect something like: “A model proposes measuring a quantity that's theoretically interesting but experimentally inaccessible. How would you evaluate this?”
3.Materials and parameter constraints
Real materials have specific properties; models sometimes ignore this.
Expect something like: “A model proposes an experiment on a material type. What material properties would need to be considered?”
4.Literature and established results
Models should know what's known; gaps reveal superficial reasoning.
Expect something like: “A model proposes studying a phenomenon already well-established. How would you distinguish between missing knowledge and genuine novelty?”
Exercise you may get
Write one condensed matter research scenario from your experience; provide theoretical framework, proposed experiments, and expected results.
How to prepare
- Select 2-3 research problems from your PhD work and document theoretical and experimental approaches
- Review recent condensed matter literature to refresh on current directions
- Prepare to explain a surprising experimental result and the physics behind it
- Think about subtle theoretical or experimental issues that trip up surface-level analysis
Facts
- Pay
- $80–110/hr
- Commitment
- hourly
- Hours
- 10 per week
- Work arrangement
- remote · Remote
- Domain
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Posted
- 9/25/2026
- Open slots
- 3