Principal Scientific Research Expert - Computational Theory & Physics

Gramian Consulting; New Zealand; Remote; NZD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Gramian Consultancy is seeking a Principal / Research Leader to advance AI research on frontier models and agents. You will guide multi-step workflows, develop proofs, algorithms, simulations, and HPC workflows, and document limitations and future directions.

Exemplary research independence and a proven record of high-impact publications are essential, with excellent written English. This remote, worldwide role prioritizes rigorous scientific judgment and independent problem-solving.

Qualifications

• Approximately 7–10+ years of active research experience in computer science, mathematical physics, computational physics, or a closely related discipline.
• Strong record of scholarly contributions, including publications in leading conferences, journals, or other recognized research venues.
• Deep hands-on experience with computational research methods, such as numerical analysis, simulation, algorithm implementation, or high-performance computing.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate technical claims rigorously, verify results, and identify gaps in mathematical or computational reasoning.
• Strong familiarity with the research literature and established results in your field.
• Excellent analytical, technical writing, and research communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, assess ambiguous problems, and communicate findings clearly.

Responsibilities

• Identify and formulate foundational open problems, theoretical bounds, and computational challenges where progress can be rigorously demonstrated.
• Guide AI models and agents through complex, multi-step research workflows involving mathematical proofs, algorithm development, numerical experiments, and high-performance simulations.
• Validate research results using proof verification, computational reproduction, formal methods, and other rigorous evaluation techniques.
• Assess the novelty, correctness, and scientific significance of research outputs against established findings and current literature.
• Prepare concise research memos documenting attempted solutions, partial progress, model limitations, and recurring reasoning failures.
• Recommend promising research directions, subfields, and open problems suitable for investigation using advanced AI models and computational tools.
• Apply critical judgment when reviewing technical work beyond your immediate research specialization.
• Help establish evaluation standards that distinguish genuine scientific progress from plausible but unsupported results.

Skills

Research experience

Numerical analysis

High-performance computing

Technical writing

Independent work

Job description

About Gramian

Gramian Consultancy is a boutique consultancy specializing in IT professional services and engineering talent solutions. With a strong background in software engineering and leadership, we help companies build high-performing teams by matching them with professionals who truly fit their needs.

About Gramian

Gramian Consultancy is a boutique consultancy specializing in IT professional services and engineering talent solutions. With a strong background in software engineering and leadership, we help companies build high-performing teams by matching them with professionals who truly fit their needs.

About The Role

We are seeking an accomplished Scientific Research Expert with deep expertise in computer science, computational physics, or related theoretical and mathematical disciplines to contribute to an advanced AI research project. In this role, you will work with frontier AI models and agents to investigate open research problems, evaluate theoretical and computational results, and establish rigorous standards for measuring scientific progress. You will help guide multi-step research workflows involving proofs, algorithms, numerical experiments, simulations, and high-performance computing, while documenting model limitations and identifying promising directions for further investigation. Prior AI industry experience is not required; exceptional research expertise and rigorous scientific judgment are the priorities.

SENIORITY: Principal / Research Leader
LANGUAGE: Excellent written English
LOCATION: Remote — Worldwide

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and formulate foundational open problems, theoretical bounds, and computational challenges where progress can be rigorously demonstrated
• Guide AI models and agents through complex, multi-step research workflows involving mathematical proofs, algorithm development, numerical experiments, and high-performance simulations
• Validate research results using proof verification, computational reproduction, formal methods, and other rigorous evaluation techniques
• Assess the novelty, correctness, and scientific significance of research outputs against established findings and current literature
• Prepare concise research memos documenting attempted solutions, partial progress, model limitations, and recurring reasoning failures
• Recommend promising research directions, subfields, and open problems suitable for investigation using advanced AI models and computational tools
• Apply critical judgment when reviewing technical work beyond your immediate research specialization
• Help establish evaluation standards that distinguish genuine scientific progress from plausible but unsupported results

Requirements

• Approximately 7-10+ years of active research experience in computer science, mathematical physics, computational physics, or a closely related discipline
• Strong record of scholarly contributions, including publications in leading conferences, journals, or other recognized research venues
• Deep hands-on experience with computational research methods, such as numerical analysis, simulation, algorithm implementation, or high-performance computing
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate technical claims rigorously, verify results, and identify gaps in mathematical or computational reasoning
• Strong familiarity with the research literature and established results in your field
• Excellent analytical, technical writing, and research communication skills
• Ability to work independently, assess ambiguous problems, and communicate findings clearly