Remote | Applied Physicist (AI Benchmarking) — $50–$70/hour

24-Mag•New York, NY

2d•Remote

About The Position

We are sharing a specialised part-time consulting opportunity for physicists and scientific researchers with advanced expertise in applied physics, mathematical modelling, experimental analysis, or computational physics. This role supports an AI research initiative focused on developing rigorous physics benchmarks. Selected experts will author or verify challenging multiple-choice assessment content, evaluate scientific accuracy and solution quality, develop well-supported reference solutions, and help establish high-quality evaluation standards for advanced AI systems.

Requirements

PhD or current doctoral candidacy in Physics, Applied Physics, Astrophysics, or a closely related discipline
Master's degree may be considered for candidates with exceptional expertise in a relevant physics subdomain
Strong command of graduate-level physics and mathematical formalism
Expertise in one or more areas including Semiconductor Physics, Nanoelectronics, Spintronics, Photonics, Quantum Optics, Ultrafast Physics, Quantum Sensing, Plasma Physics, Fusion Energy, Nonlinear Dynamics, Turbulence, Geophysics, or Reservoir Simulation
Strong ability to construct and verify rigorous quantitative and conceptual physics problems
Excellent written English and ability to communicate complex physical concepts clearly and precisely
Work must be completed without using confidential or proprietary information belonging to any employer, client, institution, or other third party

Nice To Haves

Academic research publications are highly valued
Experience with experimental, theoretical, or computational physics research is advantageous
Experience with physics olympiad writing, examination development, or advanced problem design is highly valued
Strong attention to mathematical precision, physical consistency, and problem solvability

Responsibilities

Create original multiple-choice questions that test deep physical understanding rather than surface-level recall
Develop challenging problems within relevant areas of physics expertise
Ensure questions are self-contained, precise, unambiguous, and independently solvable
Design questions appropriate for undergraduate, advanced undergraduate, and postgraduate difficulty levels
Produce one correct answer alongside nine plausible and carefully constructed distractors
Review pre-written physics questions for correctness, clarity, rigour, and completeness
Identify conceptual errors, hidden assumptions, mathematical mistakes, or solvability issues
Edit questions and answer choices where required
Verify calculations, derivations, physical reasoning, and designated correct answers
Document substantive changes and explain the scientific reasoning behind them
Develop assessment content involving semiconductor physics, electronic materials, and device behaviour
Create problems addressing charge transport, band structure, junctions, and semiconductor phenomena
Develop questions involving nanoelectronics and nanoscale physical systems
Apply physical reasoning to device-performance and materials scenarios
Evaluate theoretical and quantitative models of semiconductor systems
Create rigorous questions involving spin transport, magnetic phenomena, and spin-based devices
Develop content relating to quantum sensing and precision measurement
Apply quantum mechanical principles to sensing and metrology problems
Evaluate noise, sensitivity, measurement limits, and quantum-system behaviour
Design problems requiring integration of mathematical formalism with physical interpretation
Develop questions involving light–matter interaction, photonic systems, and optical phenomena
Create problems addressing quantum optics, coherence, interference, and photon behaviour
Apply physical principles to ultrafast optical processes and time-dependent phenomena
Evaluate experimental and theoretical optical configurations
Design quantitative problems requiring careful interpretation of optical measurements
Develop assessment content involving plasma behaviour and fusion-energy systems
Create problems involving confinement, transport, stability, and plasma dynamics
Apply electromagnetic, kinetic, and fluid descriptions of plasma systems where appropriate
Evaluate assumptions and physical constraints within fusion scenarios
Develop questions requiring advanced quantitative and conceptual reasoning
Create problems involving nonlinear systems, dynamical behaviour, and instability
Develop assessment content addressing chaos, bifurcations, turbulence, and complex physical systems
Evaluate mathematical models and their physical interpretations
Apply scaling, stability, and dynamical-systems reasoning
Distinguish physically valid conclusions from plausible but incorrect alternatives
Develop questions involving geophysical processes and subsurface systems
Create problems addressing transport, flow, geological structures, and reservoir behaviour
Apply mathematical and computational models to geophysical scenarios
Evaluate simulation assumptions, boundary conditions, and parameter effects
Interpret quantitative outputs within realistic Earth-science and reservoir contexts
Provide 1–5 academic references per question where required
Use reputable sources such as peer-reviewed journals, academic publications, and university repositories
Develop clear, structured solution explanations supporting the correct answer
Rate question difficulty according to defined Medium, Hard, and Expert standards
Help maintain consistent scientific and academic quality across benchmark content
Contribute to gold-standard evaluation materials used to assess advanced AI capabilities