Physics Expert (Postdoc / Junior professor)
Micro1 • Remote
Education
PhD
Type
Hourly
Pay Rate
$80–$150/hr
Actively Hiring
30 openings
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From the Micro1 listing
Role Title: Physics Expert (Postdoc / Junior professor) Role Type: Contractor Location: Remote (US, Canada, UK focused) micro1 is engaging Physics Experts (Postdoc / Junior professor) to participate in a high-impact project supporting a customer in the science and technology sector. In this role, you'll apply your expertise to help train next-generation AI systems. Your work will shape how models learn, reason, and perform through high-quality, real-world input. No prior experience in AI is required — your domain knowledge is what matters. Scope of Work
- Critically evaluate and review physics solutions, mathematical derivations, and theoretical arguments generated by researchers or AI platforms.
- Detect errors, unjustified steps, missing assumptions, dimensional inconsistencies, and weaknesses in logic or methodology.
- Delineate between substantive scientific issues and stylistic or cosmetic matters, providing technically precise written feedback.
- Articulate and document the reasoning behind any identified flaws, ensuring actionable guidance for improvement.
- Recognize when correct reasoning can be optimized, and offer suggestions to sharpen or clarify the argument.
- Utilize LaTeX, SymPy, Python, and Jupyter to independently verify or counter-check scientific claims as appropriate.
- Deliver structured feedback designed to support iterative enhancement of submitted work and project outcomes. Preferred Qualifications
- PhD in physics and an active record of independent research within a specialized subfield (e.g., High Energy/Mathematical Physics, Biophysics/Statistical Physics, Condensed Matter, AMO/Quantum Optics, Gravitation/Cosmology, Quantum Information, or Optical Materials).
- Experience as a postdoctoral researcher, research fellow, junior/assistant professor, or senior research scientist.
- Recent (last ~5 years) representative publications in the relevant subfield, with arXiv or DOI links.
- Advanced proficiency with LaTeX, SymPy, Python, and Jupyter for theoretical modeling and computational validation.
- Demonstrated skill in reviewing the work of others—through peer review, supervision, dissertation committees, or group seminars.
- Exceptional written communication skills with the ability to convey nuanced, constructive feedback with technical rigor.
- Reliable access to high-speed internet and a computer suitable for rigorous technical work.
Requirements
- Physics Mastery
- Written Technical Communication
- Critical Evaluation & Error Detection
- Calibrated Technical Judgment
- Verification & Cross-Checking Fluency
- Must be eligible to work in Remote
How long hiring takes
Across the AI training platforms we refer candidates to, the median gap between referral and hire is about 30 days. It varies by platform and role, so treat it as a rough guide for this one.
Key responsibilities
- Critically evaluate and review physics solutions, mathematical derivations, and theoretical arguments generated by researchers or AI platforms.
- Detect errors, unjustified steps, missing assumptions, dimensional inconsistencies, and weaknesses in logic or methodology.
- Delineate between substantive scientific issues and stylistic or cosmetic matters, providing technically precise written feedback.
- Articulate and document the reasoning behind any identified flaws, ensuring actionable guidance for improvement.
Why this role
The Physics Expert (Postdoc / Junior professor) role at micro1 pays $80-$150 per hour and is focused on candidates based in the US, Canada or the UK. The project draws on critical evaluation and error detection skill, catching flawed physics reasoning through careful verification and cross-checking. Written technical communication is treated as a core requirement alongside physics mastery itself.
Talent pool
We're light on STEM candidates
We've matched 65 people with a STEM background against 726 STEM listings we've tracked, so most go out without one. Set up a profile and we'll consider you for a role like this one.
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Common questions
What does the Micro1 application process look like?
Expect a screening interview with Zara, Micro1's AI recruiter. Prepare for it like a real video call: good lighting, clear audio, verbal answers to technical questions. A human manager reviews the recording afterward, and some roles add a short skills assessment on top.
Can I apply to Micro1 from outside the US or UK?
Yes. Micro1 accepts applicants from most countries worldwide, unlike DataAnnotation or Outlier, both of which cap access to a handful of English-speaking countries. Most roles still require strong written and spoken English.
Is AI training work the same as traditional consulting?
No. Instead of client deliverables, you're given complex scenarios to evaluate: grading the AI's logic, correcting its hallucinations, and supplying expert-level reasoning it doesn't have on its own. The job is closer to teaching than consulting.
Why do these AI training roles pay so much?
Because general knowledge isn't what's being tested. The model already knows the basics; what it needs is expertise on edge cases, the rare, difficult, highly technical judgment calls only a senior professional in the field would make correctly.
What does STEM work look like for a Physics Expert (Postdoc / Junior professor)?
Tasks here are scoped to STEM, not generic labeling. As a Physics Expert (Postdoc / Junior professor), expect to draw on real domain judgment (evaluating outputs, correcting errors, or providing expert reasoning specific to STEM) rather than following a one-size-fits-all rubric. If you don't have hands-on STEM background, this is likely not the right listing to start with.
What specific skills does this listing call for?
Physics Mastery, Written Technical Communication, Critical Evaluation & Error Detection, and Calibrated Technical Judgment are named directly in the listing. If you don't have hands-on experience with these, expect the screening process to test for them directly rather than accepting adjacent experience as a substitute.
What does the 'openings' count on this listing mean?
It's Micro1's live count of how many candidates it's still trying to place for this specific role, 30 right now, not a countdown on your individual application. A higher number signals more active demand; it doesn't lower the bar for acceptance.
How much does this specific role pay?
This listing is posted at $80–$150/hr, an hourly rate. The range reflects experience level and negotiated terms, not a placeholder, so where you land in it depends on your background and the assessment. Pay can change between when we last checked the listing and when you apply, so confirm the current number on the platform's own application page before committing time.
What happens when I click Apply on this listing?
You'll be taken to Micro1's external site to complete your application there. This listing links through a referral, but the process is identical to applying directly; the link just routes you correctly. Create an account on their site and follow their onboarding steps.
Is a PhD required?
For this specific role, yes, or near-equivalent professional depth. The credential gate is enforced at the assessment stage, not just on paper. That said, active PhD candidates and people with equivalent published research have qualified without a formal degree. The assessment is the real filter.