Mercor

Research Physics Expert

$80–135/hr

50 people hired

RemoteGlobalResearch3-5 YearsContractPosted Aug 13, 2026

About this role

You will contribute to the CritPt frontier research-level physics benchmark by solving, reviewing, and validating advanced physics problems used to evaluate large language models. Depending on expertise, you may work as a Solver, Auditor, or Adjudicator, producing fully human-verified golden reference solutions. The role involves advanced physical reasoning, mathematical derivations, Python-based verification, peer-reviewed research references, solution auditing, and quality adjudication across areas including High Energy Physics, Mathematical Physics, Biophysics, Statistical Physics, Condensed Matter, AMO, Gravitation, Cosmology, Astrophysics, Quantum Information, Optical and Magnetic Materials, and Quantum Measurement.

Responsibilities

Research problem solving: Solve frontier-level physics problems end-to-end using rigorous derivations, Python code, and reliable academic references.
Solution decomposition: Break complex physics challenges into standalone checkpoints requiring genuine physical and mathematical reasoning.
Answer template development: Create Python-based answer templates and auto-grading functions for symbolic and numerical solutions.
Quality auditing: Review expert-submitted solutions for correctness, methodology, completeness, scope, assumptions, and mathematical soundness.
Solution adjudication: Compare parallel solution attempts and determine the most accurate solution for the golden reference dataset.
Verification documentation: Define acceptable error tolerances, equivalent symbolic expressions, test cases, and verification procedures.
Research validation: Support solutions using peer-reviewed papers, arXiv publications, DOI references, or other credible scientific literature.

Qualifications

Solver: PhD, postdoctoral researcher, or senior PhD student in Physics or a relevant physics subfield.
Auditor: PhD required, preferably a postdoc or junior professor with strong subject expertise.
Adjudicator: Senior postdoc, junior professor, full professor, or industry research PI with significant research expertise.
Strong expertise in at least two established methods used within the relevant physics specialization.
Demonstrable research background supported by publications, preferably 3–5 representative papers with arXiv IDs or DOIs, ideally published within approximately the last five years.
Expertise in one or more areas including High Energy Physics, Mathematical Physics, Biophysics, Statistical Physics, Condensed Matter Physics, AMO Physics, Gravitation, Cosmology, Astrophysics, Quantum Information, Optical Properties of Materials, Magnetic Materials, or Quantum Measurement.
Working proficiency with LaTeX, Python, Jupyter, and SymPy.
Ability to perform advanced mathematical derivations, numerical validation, symbolic computation, and research-level scientific reasoning.
Strong written English proficiency, preferably B2/C1/C2 or native/near-native level.