Gravitation, Cosmology and Astrophysics Physicist (PhD)

Contribute research-grade physics reasoning to a public benchmark designed to evaluate whether frontier AI models can perform genuine research-level physics work. Review the benchmark paper at arXiv:2509.26574 before applying to determine whether the work is a fit. Assignments are matched to your publication record and may involve creating problems, solving problems, reviewing completed work, or auditing it. All deliverables must include clear, complete written reasoning that another specialist can independently follow and verify.

• Einstein-Cartan and Nieh-Yan axion inflation, including perturbations and the primordial power spectrum: first-order Einstein-Cartan-Palatini gravity, the Nieh-Yan invariant, tetrad-formalism torsion, pseudoscalar axion and natural inflation, cosmological perturbation theory, the Mukhanov-Sasaki equation, curvature power spectra, and slow-roll methods.
• Einstein-Cartan and Nieh-Yan axion inflation, focused on FRW background dynamics: Palatini gravity, tetrad and spin-connection variables, torsion, the Nieh-Yan term, axionic natural inflation, FRW dynamics, and numerical integration of background field equations.
• Dynamical Chern-Simons gravity in Palatini formalism and parity-violating inflation: first-order Palatini and Einstein-Cartan gravity, tetrads, spin connections, torsion and contorsion, pseudoscalar coupling to the Pontryagin density, gravitational parity violation, FRW cosmology, slow-roll inflation, and numerical solution of coupled cosmological field equations.
• High-energy astrophysics of blazar jets and photohadronic emission: relativistic beaming and Doppler boosting, Delta-resonance photopion production, photohadronic optical depth, electromagnetic cascades, synchrotron target photon fields, one-zone blazar modeling, variability-based causality limits, and multimessenger X-ray constraints.

• PhD in gravitation, cosmology, astroparticle physics, or a closely related field. Postdoctoral researchers, research scientists, and junior faculty are especially well suited; senior PhD students with a strong first-author publication record may apply.
• Published research on the exact phenomenon for the selected area. Broad modified-gravity experience or numerical expertise alone is insufficient without publications involving torsion, Nieh-Yan terms, Chern-Simons terms, or the applicable high-energy astrophysics phenomenon.
• A verifiable record of three to five representative papers, preferably published within the last five years, with arXiv IDs or DOIs. First-author papers are strongly preferred, and all submitted publications and authorship claims will be verified against the public record.
• Evidence in your own publications of at least one relevant method family: Einstein-Cartan-Palatini gravity, tetrad and spin-connection variables, torsion and contorsion; Nieh-Yan or gravitational Chern-Simons/Pontryagin couplings; cosmological perturbation theory, Mukhanov-Sasaki equations, curvature power spectra, or slow-roll methods; numerical integration of modified-gravity background equations; or astroparticle modeling involving relativistic beaming, photohadronic processes, electromagnetic cascades, or one-zone emission models.
• Careful command of tetrad and spin-connection sign conventions.
• Working proficiency in LaTeX, Python, SymPy, and Jupyter. Familiarity with an agentic coding extension in VS Code is helpful; candidly disclosed gaps are acceptable.

• English proficiency at B2 level or higher, including the ability to communicate technical reasoning clearly in writing.

• Remote, asynchronous hourly engagement with no fixed working hours.
• Commitment of 10 hours per week for 8 to 10 weeks, beginning immediately.

$80 to $110 per hour, determined by the depth of fit with the relevant subdomain.

• Complete the application form with your education, research experience, method self-assessment, and up to five research areas that best match your expertise.
• For each selected area, provide an arXiv ID or DOI for your own supporting paper, along with your author position and the methods demonstrated. Selections without supporting evidence are not scored.
• Your publications and authorship will be checked against public records.
• Qualified applicants are either matched directly to an assignment or invited to a short live alignment call to confirm the research area and assignment. A 30 to 45 minute assessment may be requested when needed, though most applicants will not complete one.