Applied Physics

Alignerr; Oxford; Remote; GBP 55,000 - 96,000; Part time

Job summary

Alignerr is seeking a PhD-level Applied Physicist for a remote hourly contract role. You will craft open-ended physics problems at a PhD standard and develop gold-standard solutions, while auditing AI reasoning for consistency with fundamental laws.

You will refine model behavior on boundary conditions, conservation laws, and symmetry principles, and document how AI reasoning can fail on research-level physics tasks.

Qualifications

• PhD-level expertise in physics or closely related field.
• Strong analytical writing and ability to explain complex derivations clearly.
• Attention to units, notation, and dimensional analysis.

Responsibilities

• Design advanced physics problems at PhD level for exam-like rigor.
• Write step-by-step gold-standard solutions with all derivations.
• Audit AI reasoning for physical consistency and first-principles adherence.
• Provide expert feedback to train models in boundary conditions and conservation laws.
• Document failure modes of AI reasoning on complex physics challenges.

Skills

Analytical writing

Attention to detail

Independent work

Physics subject matter expertise

Education

PhD in Applied Physics

Physics/Engineering Physics

Tools

Python (NumPy/SciPy)

MATLAB

COMSOL

Job description

About The Role

What if your deep expertise in physics could directly shape how AI understands the physical world? We're looking for PhD-level Applied Physicists to stress-test cutting-edge Large Language Models — exposing the gaps in their reasoning and helping ensure they never violate the fundamental laws of the universe.

Applied Physics — AI Data Trainer

About The Role

What if your deep expertise in physics could directly shape how AI understands the physical world? We're looking for PhD-level Applied Physicists to stress-test cutting-edge Large Language Models — exposing the gaps in their reasoning and helping ensure they never violate the fundamental laws of the universe.

This is a fully remote, flexible contract role. No prior AI experience needed — just mastery of physics and a rigorous, analytical mind.

• Organization: Alignerr
• Type: Hourly Contract
• Location: Remote
• Commitment: 10–40 hours/week

What You'll Do

• Design Advanced Problems: Develop complex, open-ended physics problems at PhD qualifying exam level — requiring multi-step reasoning, mathematical derivation, and deep conceptual understanding across quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, and beyond
• Author Gold-Standard Solutions: Write rigorous, step-by-step "golden responses" that serve as the definitive benchmark — every unit, constant, and logical step accounted for
• Audit AI Reasoning: Evaluate AI-generated simulations, proofs, and explanations for physical consistency — identifying where models "hallucinate" physics that violates first principles
• Refine Model Behavior: Provide structured, expert feedback that trains models to reason correctly about boundary conditions, conservation laws, symmetry principles, and physical constraints
• Probe Failure Modes: Systematically document how and where AI reasoning breaks down when confronted with research-level physics challenges

Who You Are

• PhD completed or in final stages in Applied Physics, Physics, Engineering Physics, or a closely related field
• Deep mastery across the core pillars: Classical Mechanics, Electrodynamics, Statistical Mechanics, and Quantum Mechanics
• Exceptional analytical writing skills — you can explain a complex derivation with precision and clarity
• Uncompromising attention to detail: units, scientific notation, dimensional analysis, and logical proof structure are second nature to you
• Self-motivated and reliable when working independently on technical tasks
• No prior AI or data annotation experience required

Nice to Have

• Experience with data annotation, scientific dataset evaluation, or quality assurance workflows
• Proficiency with computational tools such as Python (NumPy/SciPy), MATLAB, or COMSOL
• Background in research involving simulation, modelling, or experimental physics
• Familiarity with AI tools or language model evaluation as an end user

Why Join Us

• Work on high-impact AI projects alongside world-leading research labs
• Fully remote and flexible — work when and where it suits you
• Freelance autonomy with the structure of meaningful, intellectually stimulating work
• Directly influence how AI understands and reasons about the physical world
• Potential for ongoing work and contract extension as new projects launch