Quantum Computing AI Benchmark Scientist (PhD) — Part-Time

Mercor; New York (NY); On-site; USD 83,000 - 124,000; Part time

Job summary

Mercor is hiring PhD and Master's scientists to author AI evaluation tasks (Sci Code) for a new benchmark in scientific computing, collaborating with leading AI labs. You will author original, executable research problems that frontier models cannot solve.

Domains require depth in at least two subdomains with a coding focus. You'll use Python or similar, and work with GitHub and Docker to ensure runs pass automated quality checks.

Qualifications

• PhD in physics, applied physics, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated depth in at least two subdomains: condensed matter, optics, quantum information/computing, computational physics, astrophysics, particle physics.
• Proficiency in Python, R, or another relevant programming language for scientific computing.
• Familiarity with Git/GitHub and running code in Docker with pull-request workflow and automated quality checks.

Responsibilities

• Source your own material: a published paper, Kaggle dataset, an open-source repository, or a self-designed scenario.
• Write scientific prompts based on the input.
• Build the grading criteria that define a correct answer.
• Calibrate against frontier models so tasks fail more often than they succeed.

Skills

Condensed matter physics

Quantum information/computing

Computational physics

Scientific problem design

Education

PhD in physics or closely related field

Tools

Git/GitHub

Docker

Jupyter

Job description

Mercor is hiring PhD and Master's scientists to author AI evaluation tasks (Sci Code) for a new benchmark in scientific computing, collaborating with leading AI labs. You will author original, executable research problems that frontier models cannot solve.

Domains require depth in at least two subdomains with a coding focus. You'll use Python or similar, and work with GitHub and Docker to ensure runs pass automated quality checks.