Remote | Research Physics Benchmark Consultant — $90–$150/hour

  • New York, New York, United States
  • Contractor
  • Remote

Job Description:

We are sharing a specialised part-time consulting opportunity for expert physics researchers experienced in research-level problem solving, golden reference solution authoring, solution verification, advanced derivations, Python-based validation, LaTeX documentation, and frontier-level physics reasoning evaluation.

This role supports current and upcoming remote consulting opportunities focused on research-level physics benchmarks, golden reference solution development, expert solution auditing, adjudication between parallel solution attempts, checkpoint problem decomposition, Python-based answer validation, and high-quality project execution. Selected professionals will solve advanced physics problems end-to-end, verify submitted solutions, and help produce rigorous human-verified reference data for evaluating advanced physics reasoning.

Key Responsibilities

Professionals in this role may contribute to:

Research-Level Physics Solution Authoring

  • Solve advanced physics challenges end-to-end with verifiable derivations, code, and peer-reviewed references
  • Author golden reference solutions that meet research-level standards of rigor and clarity
  • Decompose complex challenges into standalone checkpoint sub-problems requiring genuine physical reasoning
  • Create clear solution pathways that support reliable verification and expert review

Solution Auditing & Expert Adjudication

  • Audit submitted solutions for correctness, scope, assumptions, and method soundness
  • Identify subtle reasoning gaps, incorrect derivations, unsupported assumptions, or incomplete verification steps
  • Adjudicate between parallel solution attempts and determine which solution should become the reference version
  • Provide actionable expert feedback across review iterations

Python Validation & Technical Documentation

  • Author Python answer templates with auto-grading functions for symbolic or numerical answers
  • Define error tolerances, equivalent symbolic forms, and verification test cases
  • Use LaTeX, Python, Jupyter, and SymPy to support solution clarity and validation
  • Document reasoning summaries, derivations, assumptions, references, and validation criteria with strong technical precision

Ideal Profile

Strong candidates may have:

  • Research background in high energy physics, mathematical physics, biophysics, statistical physics, condensed matter, AMO, gravitation, cosmology, astrophysics, quantum information, materials physics, or related areas
  • PhD, postdoctoral, faculty, industry research PI, or equivalent research experience in a relevant physics subfield
  • Solver-level background: PhD, postdoc, or outstanding senior PhD student in the relevant subfield
  • Auditor-level background: postdoc, junior professor, or comparable research expert in the relevant subfield
  • Adjudicator-level background: full professor, industry research PI, senior postdoc, junior professor, or comparable senior expert
  • Hands-on familiarity with at least two canonical methods in the target physics subfield, demonstrated through publications or research output
  • 3–5 representative publications, ideally recent and closely aligned with the target subfield
  • Working proficiency with LaTeX, Python, Jupyter, and SymPy
  • Strong written English and ability to explain complex physics reasoning clearly

Educational Background

  • PhD, postdoctoral training, faculty role, industry research role, or comparable advanced research background in physics is strongly preferred
  • Outstanding senior PhD students with strong research output may also be considered depending on project scope
  • Academic or research experience in high energy physics, mathematical physics, condensed matter physics, AMO, quantum information, biophysics, statistical physics, gravitation, cosmology, astrophysics, optical materials, magnetic materials, or measurements in quantum mechanics is highly relevant

Nice to Have

  • Experience authoring research-level physics problems, benchmark tasks, exams, solution keys, or technical review materials
  • Experience reviewing peer-level derivations, computational physics solutions, symbolic mathematics, or numerical validation workflows
  • Familiarity with auto-grading design, symbolic equivalence checking, test-case design, or Python validation templates
  • Ability to identify subtle physics errors that may appear plausible but fail under expert scrutiny
  • Availability for approximately 10 hours per week across an 8–10 week task window depending on project pool and role type

Why This Opportunity

  • Apply research-level physics expertise to structured remote benchmark and solution verification work
  • Contribute to high-quality golden reference data, advanced problem solving, and expert physics review
  • Work on asynchronous assignments aligned with your subfield expertise and research background
  • Use your ability to solve, audit, and adjudicate complex physics reasoning at a working researcher level
  • Remote structure with competitive hourly compensation

Contract Details

  • Independent contractor role
  • Fully remote with flexible asynchronous scheduling
  • Eligible professionals may be based in approved project locations depending on project needs
  • Expected commitment of approximately 10 hours per week across an 8–10 week task window depending on project pool
  • Competitive rates between $90–$150 per hour depending on role, expertise, and project scope
  • Weekly payments via Stripe or Wise
  • Projects may be extended, shortened, or adjusted depending on scope and performance
  • Work will not involve access to confidential or proprietary information from any employer, client, or institution

About the Platform

This opportunity is available through 24-MAG LLC. We connect experienced professionals with remote consulting opportunities across technical, evaluation, and project-based workstreams.

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