PhD Synthetic and Analytical Chemist, AI Expert (Remote, UK or US East Coast)

Weekday AI

9h • $70 - $100 • Remote

About The Position

This part-time, fully remote opportunity is for a PhD-qualified chemist with strong synthetic and analytical chemistry expertise to help develop next-generation AI models for scientific research. The Chemistry Subject-Matter Expert will work with AI research and engineering teams to improve model reasoning, accuracy, and problem-solving in chemistry. The work includes developing challenging chemistry benchmarks and training datasets, preparing solutions to complex chemistry problems, and evaluating AI-generated responses involving synthesis, reaction mechanisms, compound characterization, and analytical workflows.

Candidates must be based in the United Kingdom or on the US East Coast. The role is an independent-contractor engagement requiring at least 20 hours per week, primarily on weekdays, with a flexible remote schedule. Project duration may vary according to project requirements and performance. Payment is weekly through Stripe or Wise, based on services rendered. The position does not require access to confidential or proprietary information belonging to a current or former employer, client, or institution. H-1B and STEM OPT candidates cannot be supported.

Requirements

• PhD in Chemistry, preferably in Synthetic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, or a closely related discipline; equivalent research experience may also be considered.
• At least 3 years of hands-on chemistry experience in a recognized organization, such as a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical, or materials company, contract research organization, or university research group.
• Practical experience in small-molecule synthesis, including designing and executing multi-step synthetic routes, reaction setup, monitoring and optimization, troubleshooting experimental challenges, and improving reaction outcomes.
• Hands-on experience with analytical and compound-characterization techniques, including NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, IR spectroscopy, HPLC, and LC-MS.
• Ability to interpret analytical and spectroscopic data and assess compound identity, purity, and structural characteristics.
• Familiarity with cheminformatics platforms, scientific software, and AI-powered research tools; programming expertise is not required.
• Strong written communication skills and ability to explain complex chemical concepts and technical decisions clearly.
• Ability to commit reliably to at least 20 hours per week during weekdays.
• Must be based in the United Kingdom or on the US East Coast.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with cheminformatics representations and molecular notations such as SMILES and SMARTS.
• Familiarity with AI model evaluation, scientific reasoning assessments, or AI agent testing.
• Experience developing scientific benchmarks, training datasets, grading rubrics, or structured evaluation frameworks.
• Ability to translate complex laboratory procedures and chemical reasoning into clear, structured technical documentation.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with AI research and engineering teams to identify scientific knowledge gaps and improve model performance across synthetic chemistry, reaction mechanisms, structure elucidation, and physicochemical property prediction.
• Design domain-specific chemistry tasks, benchmarks, and training datasets that assess scientific reasoning rather than simple information retrieval.
• Develop accurate, structured solutions to complex chemistry problems, including multi-step synthesis route planning, reaction optimization, and spectroscopic characterization.
• Evaluate AI-generated responses and step-by-step reasoning for errors in chemical logic, factual accuracy, and scientific tool usage.
• Provide detailed written technical feedback to improve the reliability and scientific accuracy of AI model outputs.
• Develop task specifications, grading rubrics, and verification processes for chemistry-related data produced by external technical teams.
• Assess experimental designs, identify common laboratory failure modes, and validate the chemical feasibility of proposed solutions.
• Review molecular representations, including SMILES, for chemical correctness and consistency.
• Collaborate with other subject-matter experts to maintain scientific accuracy and quality across AI training datasets.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree