Quantum Information Physicist (Remote, PhD)
Listing checked September 25, 2026 · pay as published by Mercor
Overview
Mercor seeks PhD-level physicists to contribute to CritPt, a public benchmark built to test whether frontier AI models can reason through real physics research. Work happens inside your own subfield, whether that sits in quantum information, quantum optics, or a related area, and assignments can range from creating research-level problems to solving, reviewing, or auditing them. The benchmark paper at arXiv:2509.26574 gives a clear picture of the project, so read it before you apply to see whether the tasks match your background. You commit about 10 hours per week for 8 to 10 weeks, remote and asynchronous, and Mercor sets pay from $80 to $110 per hour based on subdomain depth.
What You'll Do8
- 1Design research-grade physics problems that fit one of the twelve panel areas and match your publication record.
- 2Write complete solutions and reasoning that another specialist in the same subfield can check without extra context.
- 3Review completed problem sets for correctness, clarity, and method fit.
- 4Audit work from other physicists on the benchmark and flag gaps in derivation or evidence.
- 5Agree the specific assignment with Mercor after you match to a research area.
- 6Use LaTeX, Python, SymPy, and Jupyter to support derivations, calculations, and written arguments.
- 7Document the methods your problem or solution relies on, such as Lindblad master equations or quantum Fisher information.
- 8Meet the 10 hours per week commitment across the 8 to 10 week window while working without fixed hours.
Requirements8
- 1PhD in quantum information, quantum optics, or a related field. This requirement is firm.
- 2Published work on the exact phenomenon from one of the twelve areas, not an adjacent topic.
- 3Three to five representative papers with arXiv IDs or DOIs. Mercor gives preference to first authorship and work from the last five years.
- 4Working skill with LaTeX, Python, SymPy, and Jupyter.
- 5Familiarity with an agentic coding extension in VS Code helps, and gaps are fine if you state them.
- 6English at B2 or above, with the ability to explain a research argument in writing.
- 7Postdoctoral researchers, research scientists, and junior faculty fit the panel best. Senior PhD students with a strong first-author record may apply.
- 8A method self-attestation for up to five panel areas, each backed by your own paper and author position.
Who Should Apply
The strongest candidate holds a PhD in quantum information, quantum optics, or a related field and has first-author papers on one of the twelve panel phenomena, such as GHZ probe metrology, SU(1,1) interferometry, or Holevo information. Postdocs, research scientists, and junior faculty will recognize the scope, while senior PhD students with a strong first-author record can compete. The role suits physicists who can show arXiv IDs or DOIs that verify their authorship and who can write reasoning clear enough for another specialist to follow. A poor fit is anyone whose papers sit in a neighboring area but not the exact phenomenon, or applicants who cannot provide paper proof for the areas they select. Two common reasons for rejection are a mismatch between the listed phenomenon and the candidate's publication record, and missing proof for selected areas.
Salary Insight
The rate is $80 to $110 per hour, and Mercor sets the number by how close your subdomain and methods sit to one of the twelve listed areas. A physicist with first-author work on a listed phenomenon will land near the top of that band, while a broader quantum information background without a matching publication may see the lower end. The commitment is 10 hours per week across 8 to 10 weeks, remote and asynchronous, with no fixed hours.
Location
Compensation
$80–110/hr
Required Skills
Application Tip
Read arXiv:2509.26574 before you apply, then pick up to five panel areas where your own first-author papers address the listed phenomenon. For each area, add an arXiv ID or DOI, your author position, and the exact methods from the required families, such as Lindblad master equations or quantum Fisher information. Mercor does not score a selection without paper proof, and the fit review turns on phenomenon match rather than general experience in quantum information.
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