Experimental Scientist - Inorganics & Semiconductors

HumanitApp; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 99,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

Mercor is seeking experimental scientists and engineers across inorganic synthesis, characterization, superconductors, and semiconductors to support a frontier AI research lab building models for materials science and the physical sciences.

This is hands-on, expert-level work: you'll apply deep, specialized knowledge to generate, structure, and evaluate the scientific data these models learn from and your input will directly shape how advanced models reason about materials, devices, and

Qualifications

• Hands-on experimental experience in inorganic synthesis (solid-state, solution, solvothermal, sol-gel), superconducting materials, or semiconductors and advanced packaging.
• Strong materials or device characterization skills (XRD, SEM, TEM, spectroscopy, electrical/transport measurements).
• Experience with thin-film growth or device fabrication (MBE/epitaxy, MOCVD, CVD, sputtering, IBAD, etch, clean-room microfabrication).
• An advanced degree (PhD/MS) or equivalent hands-on experience in materials science, chemistry, physics, or a related engineering field.

Responsibilities

• Contribute domain expertise across synthesis, characterization, fabrication, and device physics to build high-quality training and evaluation data.
• Review and evaluate AI-generated scientific reasoning, catching errors and improving technical accuracy.
• Design and solve challenging, expert-level problems in your area of specialization.
• Rate and rank model outputs against defined scientific criteria, with clear written reasoning.
• Structure technical knowledge experimental procedures, characterization results, process data into well-organized, model-ready data.

Skills

Inorganic synthesis

Materials characterization

Superconducting materials

Semiconductors

Thin-film growth

Device fabrication

Written English

Education

PhD or MS in relevant field

Tools

XRD

SEM

TEM

Spectroscopy

Electrical testing

MOCVD

CVD

MBE

Epitaxy

Job description

Mercor is seeking experimental scientists and engineers across inorganic synthesis, characterization, superconductors, and semiconductors to support a frontier AI research lab building models for materials science and the physical sciences.

This is hands-on, expert-level work: you'll apply deep, specialized knowledge to generate, structure, and evaluate the scientific data these models learn from and your input will directly shape how advanced models reason about materials, devices, and