About this role
Help advance frontier AI models by applying deep materials science expertise to the tasks, standards, and evaluations used by an AI research team. This role turns real-world materials engineering judgment into rigorous training and assessment work.
Key Responsibilities
- Review materials science knowledge tasks and model outputs for missing reasoning, unsupported structure-to-property claims, and technically plausible answers that do not withstand expert scrutiny.
- Write detailed instruction specifications and golden solutions for materials problems, defining clear standards for correct work.
- Create materials science tasks, challenging benchmarks, and evaluation sets that reflect real practice.
- Partner with researchers and adjacent-domain specialists to develop materials-specific skills and tools and translate expert judgment into consistent, teachable criteria.
Qualifications
- PhD in materials science, materials engineering, or a closely related field such as chemistry, chemical engineering, applied physics, or metallurgy. A master''s degree with exceptional industrial depth may be considered.
- At least 4 years of substantive materials research or industrial R&D experience at a research university, national laboratory, or industrial research organization. Graduate coursework alone does not qualify.
- Specialization in at least one area, such as energy storage and battery materials, semiconductors and electronic materials, polymers and soft matter, structural alloys and metallurgy, characterization and microscopy, or computational materials and simulation.
- Senior-level progression, such as Senior Scientist, Staff Scientist, Research Lead, Principal Investigator, or a senior industrial R&D role, with ownership of research direction.
- Peer-reviewed publications, granted patents, or delivered materials programs are strongly preferred.
- Hands-on professional use of large language models and the ability to distinguish sound technical reasoning from plausible but incorrect responses.
- Excellent written communication and the ability to provide precise, structured feedback.
Work Terms
- Full-time W-2 employment, working 40 hours per week for an initial 6-month engagement.
- Hybrid role based in the Bay Area, California, with on-site work alongside the client team multiple days per week when required.
- This is not a remote role. Candidates must live in the Bay Area or relocate there at their own expense before the engagement begins. Relocation assistance is not available.
- Client-issued accounts and equipment will be provided for work within the client''s tools and workflows.
- Employment, onboarding, payroll, benefits, and compliance are administered by the employer of record.
Compensation
$70 to $110 per hour.
Equal Opportunity and Accommodations
Qualified applicants are considered without regard to legally protected characteristics. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans throughout the application process.