Material Science PhD Coding Expert at Mercor

Material Science PhD Coding Expert | $70/hr | Worldwide Remote | Part-Time Contract (6 Weeks)

Mercor is partnering with leading AI labs to build a cutting-edge benchmark for scientific computing. We're seeking PhD-level scientists with strong coding skills to author original, executable research problems that challenge today's most advanced AI models. If you have deep expertise in semiconductor materials and molecular modeling, this is your opportunity to shape the future of scientific AI.

What You'll Do

• Source original material from published papers, open datasets, repositories, or self-designed scenarios
• Write rigorous scientific prompts grounded in your source material
• Develop grading criteria that define correct, verifiable answers
• Calibrate tasks against frontier AI models — a task ships only when strong models fail it more often than they succeed

Required Qualifications

• PhD in materials science, materials engineering, applied physics, chemistry, chemical engineering, or a closely related field
• Demonstrated depth in both of the following subdomains: semiconductor materials and molecular modeling
• Working proficiency in Python, R, or another scientific computing language
• Comfortable with Git/GitHub and Docker — work is submitted via a pull-request workflow with automated quality checks

Preferred Qualifications

• Publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Prior scientific software or research engineering experience

Engagement Details

• Duration: 6 weeks
• Commitment: Part-time, 20+ hours per week
• Start Date: Immediate
• Rate: $70/hr

Application Process

1. Submit your resume and application form
2. Complete a 25-minute conversational interview covering your background and experience
3. Receive follow-up within a few days with next steps and onboarding details

Apply today and put your research expertise to work building the next generation of scientific AI evaluation tools.