Physics Researcher (Part-Time) | $125–$225/hr | Worldwide Remote
Mercor and Cincinnatus LLC are recruiting a select cohort of accomplished physics researchers to help shape the next generation of AI systems for scientific reasoning. This is a rare opportunity for frontier researchers to directly influence how leading AI models understand and reason about advanced physics — at the level of a working scientist, not a textbook.
This is a W-2 employment position with Cincinnatus LLC, requiring 4 to 16 hours per week.
What You'll Do
- Author and review challenging physics problems used to train and evaluate frontier AI models
- Evaluate model outputs on tasks spanning analytical derivation, mechanism prediction, numerical modeling, experimental design, and literature reasoning
- Identify failure modes in current models — particularly errors a working PhD physicist would immediately recognize
- Collaborate with a small, senior program team and other expert contributors
Physics Domains of Interest
- Theoretical physics, condensed matter, and quantum information
- Particle physics and high-energy theory
- Astrophysics and cosmology
- Atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics
- Plasma physics, biophysics, and statistical/computational physics
- Mathematical physics
Who We're Looking For
This is not a generalist role. Ideal candidates will have a CV that reflects frontier research, which may include:
- First-author or co-first-author publications in top journals such as Physical Review Letters, Nature Physics, Science, JHEP, ApJ, or equivalent specialty journals
- Doctoral or postdoctoral training at a top-20 global institution for physics or STEM
- Prestigious fellowships such as NSF GRFP, Hertz, Sloan, Packard, Simons, Hubble, Marie Curie, or equivalent
- Named PI or co-PI on grants, issued patents, or spin-out companies
- International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) medalist
- Currently active in research as a PhD candidate, postdoc, faculty member, or industry researcher
Outstanding senior PhD students and recent graduates with strong publication records are explicitly encouraged to apply — depth of research output matters more than years of experience.
Engagement Details
- Hours: 4 to 16 hours per week (flexible)
- Employment: W-2 via Cincinnatus LLC — payroll, benefits, and compliance fully managed
- Compensation: $125–$225/hr, reflecting research seniority and credentials
- Duration: No fixed end date; ongoing as long as program needs are active
About Cincinnatus LLC
Cincinnatus LLC is an enterprise staffing company that partners with leading technology companies to place highly skilled professionals in high-impact contract roles. Cincinnatus serves as the employer of record, handling all W-2 employment, payroll, and compliance while contributors work directly within client teams.
Cincinnatus LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application process.
