Applied Physics

About The Role

What if your expertise in quantum mechanics, electrodynamics, and thermodynamics could directly shape how AI understands the physical world?

We're looking for PhD-level Applied Physicists to stress-test cutting-edge AI models — exposing the gaps in their physical reasoning and helping ensure they never violate the fundamental laws of the universe.

This is a fully remote, flexible contract role built for researchers and physicists who want to apply their deep domain knowledge to one of the most consequential technology challenges of our time.

No prior AI experience required — just rigorous scientific expertise and a sharp analytical mind.

Organization: Alignerr

Type: Hourly Contract

Location: Remote

Commitment: 10–40 hours/week

What You'll Do

• Design Advanced Physics Problems — Craft complex, open-ended problems at PhD qualifying exam level, requiring multi-step logical reasoning and precise mathematical derivation across topics like quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, and classical mechanics
• Author Rigorous Solutions — Develop authoritative, step-by-step "golden responses" with meticulous attention to physical constants, unit conversions, and logical proof structure
• Audit AI Reasoning — Evaluate AI-generated simulations, derivations, and proofs for physical consistency — identifying where models "hallucinate" physics that violates first principles such as conservation of energy or momentum
• Refine Model Behaviour — Provide structured, expert feedback that improves an AI's ability to reason through boundary conditions, conservation laws, and physics-informed constraints
• Document Failure Modes — Systematically catalogue where and how AI reasoning breaks down, contributing to research-level benchmarks that push the frontier of AI capability

Who You Are

• Completed or near-completed PhD in Applied Physics, Physics, Engineering Physics, or a closely related field
• Deep mastery across the core pillars: Classical Mechanics, Electrodynamics, Statistical Mechanics, and Quantum Mechanics
• Exceptional analytical writing ability — you can translate complex derivations and physical phenomena into clear, structured, precise English
• Uncompromising attention to detail regarding units, scientific notation, dimensional analysis, and the logical flow of a proof
• Self-motivated and reliable when working independently and asynchronously
• No prior AI or data annotation experience required

Nice to Have

• Experience with data annotation, scientific dataset evaluation, or quality assurance systems
• Proficiency with computational tools such as Python (NumPy/SciPy), MATLAB, or COMSOL
• Background in research-level benchmarking or academic peer review
• Familiarity with AI/ML concepts or large language model behaviour

Why Join Us

• Work on cutting-edge AI projects alongside world-leading research labs
• Fully remote and flexible — work when and where it suits you
• Freelance autonomy with the structure of meaningful, high-impact scientific work
• Apply your PhD-level expertise to problems that matter at a global scale
• Potential for ongoing work and contract extension as new projects launch