Remote AI-Driven Materials Scientist (Semiconductors)

Obsidian; New York (NY); Remote; USD 70,000 - 120,000; 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. You will generate, structure, and evaluate scientific data to train models that reason about materials, devices, and processes.

This role is hands-on and expert‑level, with remote (US-based) work and up to 40 hours/week. You will review AI-generated reasoning, design challenging problems, and deliver model-ready data

Qualifications

• Hands-on experimental experience in inorganic synthesis (solid-state, solution, solvothermal, sol-gel)
• Experience with 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) is a plus
• PhD/MS or equivalent hands-on experience in materials science, chemistry, physics, or related engineering
• Excellent written English with the ability to explain technical reasoning concisely

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.

Skills

Inorganic synthesis

Superconducting materials

Semiconductors & advanced packaging

Materials characterization

Clear written English

Education

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

Tools

XRD

SEM

TEM

Spectroscopy

Electrical/transport measurements

MBE/epitaxy

MOCVD

CVD

Sputtering

Job description

Mercor is seeking experimental scientists and engineers across inorganic synthesis, characterization, superconductors, and semiconductors to support a frontier AI research lab. You will generate, structure, and evaluate scientific data to train models that reason about materials, devices, and processes.

This role is hands-on and expert‑level, with remote (US-based) work and up to 40 hours/week. You will review AI-generated reasoning, design challenging problems, and deliver model-ready data