Inorganic Materials, Semiconductor & Superconductor Experts

Confidential; United States; Remote; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Part time

Job summary

Zekai seeks 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 requiring deep, specialized knowledge to generate, structure, and evaluate scientific data for model learning.

Remote, US-based engagement up to 40 hours/week for a long-term contract.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experimental experience in inorganic synthesis (solid-state, solution, solvothermal, sol-gel) or related areas.
• 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, clean-room) is a plus.
• Advanced degree (PhD/MS) in materials science, chemistry, physics, or related engineering field.
• Clear written English and ability to explain technical reasoning concisely.

Responsibilities

• Contribute domain expertise to build high-quality training and evaluation data.
• Review and evaluate AI-generated scientific reasoning for accuracy.
• Design and solve expert-level problems in your area of specialization.
• Rate and rank model outputs against scientific criteria with clear written reasoning.
• Structure knowledge into model-ready data (procedures, results, data).
• Deliver reliable work within defined timelines.

Skills

Inorganic synthesis

Materials characterization

Device fabrication

Advanced packaging

English communication

Education

PhD or MS in materials science, chemistry, physics or related field

Tools

XRD

SEM

TEM

Spectroscopy

Job description

our partner is seeking experimental scientists and engineers across inorganic synthesis, characterization, superconductors, and semiconductors (including advanced packaging) 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 processes.

Key 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.

• Deliver reliable, high-quality work within defined timelines.

You're a strong fit if you have:

• Hands-on experimental experience in one or more of: 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) — a plus.

• An advanced degree (PhD/MS) or equivalent hands-on experience in materials science, chemistry, physics, or a related engineering field.

• Clear written English and the ability to explain technical reasoning concisely.

Role Details:

• Type: Long-term, ongoing engagement

• Engagement: Up to 40 hours/week (minimum 10)

• Work arrangement: Remote (US-based)

This is a 100% remote contract role. Applicants must be located in: United States.