Postdoctoral Researcher (Remote | $100–$400/hr)

Synthires; United States; Remote; USD 138,000 - 551,000; Full time

Job summary

Synthires seeks a Principal Research Scientist in Computer Science / Computational Physics for a remote, flexible contractor role. You will work with frontier AI models, perform proofs, simulations, and numerical experiments, and guide research directions with rigorous scientific judgment.

No prior AI experience is required. Responsibilities include framing open problems, validating results, documenting memos, and assessing novelty against literature.

Qualifications

• Strong research expertise in computer science, mathematical physics, or computational physics.
• Exceptional judgment in assessing research novelty, correctness, and significance.
• Strong computational rigor and complex problem-solving skills.
• Ability to evaluate technical work critically, including research outside your immediate specialty.
• Experience with research methods such as theoretical analysis, numerical computation, simulation, or algorithm development.
• Ability to communicate complex findings clearly and document research outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Identify and frame foundational open problems, theoretical bounds, and computational challenges.
• Guide AI models through multi-step research involving proofs, algorithms, numerical experiments, and high-performance simulations.
• Validate results through proof checking, computational reproduction, and formal methods.
• Evaluate the novelty, correctness, and significance of research against existing literature.
• Prepare concise research memos documenting findings, partial solutions, and model limitations.
• Recommend promising research directions and problems suited to AI-assisted investigation.
• Establish rigorous standards for assessing scientific progress and research quality.

Skills

Computer science

Computational physics

Mathematical physics

Tools

Lean

Coq

SAT/SMT solvers

Job description

Principal Research Scientist (Computer Science / Computational Physics)

Position: Principal Research Scientist (Computer Science / Computational Physics)

Type: Contractor — Flexible Part-Time or Full-Time

Compensation: $100–$400/hour

Location: Remote

About the Opportunity

We’re seeking experienced research scientists in computer science, computational physics, or related fields to help advance next-generation AI systems. You’ll work with frontier AI models and agents to explore open research problems, evaluate scientific results, and guide research direction. No prior AI experience is required — deep domain expertise and rigorous scientific judgment are what matter.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and frame foundational open problems, theoretical bounds, and computational challenges.
• Guide AI models through multi-step research involving proofs, algorithms, numerical experiments, and high-performance simulations.
• Validate results through proof checking, computational reproduction, and formal methods.
• Evaluate the novelty, correctness, and significance of research against existing literature.
• Prepare concise research memos documenting findings, partial solutions, and model limitations.
• Recommend promising research directions and problems suited to AI-assisted investigation.
• Establish rigorous standards for assessing scientific progress and research quality.

Required Qualifications

• Strong research expertise in computer science, mathematical physics, or computational physics.
• Exceptional judgment in assessing research novelty, correctness, and significance.
• Strong computational rigor and complex problem-solving skills.
• Ability to evaluate technical work critically, including research outside your immediate specialty.
• Experience with research methods such as theoretical analysis, numerical computation, simulation, or algorithm development.
• Ability to communicate complex findings clearly and document research outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications

• 7–10+ years of active research in computer science or mathematical/computational physics.
• Strong publication record in leading scholarly venues, including recent research published within the past year.
• Recognition through major awards, professional society fellowships, or invited and plenary talks.
• Experience solving recognized open problems or developing influential concepts adopted by other researchers.
• Hands-on experience with high-performance computing, numerical analysis, and computational simulations.
• Experience with program committees, editorial boards, or formal research tools such as Lean, Coq, and SAT/SMT solvers.
• Public contributions outlining open problems or demonstrating research with advanced AI systems.

Compensation

• $100–$400 per hour.
• Flexible part-time or full-time contractor engagement.