Research Scientist - Computer Science & Computational Physics
Listing checked October 13, 2026 · pay as published by Micro1
Overview
micro1 is looking for Research Scientists in Computer Science and Computational Physics to support a customer's high-impact research project. You will use your domain knowledge to help train next-generation AI systems, shaping how models learn and reason. The work is fully remote and flexible, available as part-time or full-time contractor engagement. No prior AI experience is needed; what matters is your expertise in computational methods, algorithmic implementation, and numerical analysis.
What You'll Do6
- 1Propose open problems, new bounds, or tractable research challenges in your subfield for rigorous investigation.
- 2Carry out structured research using frontier AI models and agents to attempt proofs, develop algorithms, or run computational simulations.
- 3Verify research outputs by checking proofs, reproducing numerical results, or applying formal tools.
- 4Compare findings against recent literature and published results to assess novelty and correctness.
- 5Write clear reports that document methodologies, partial results, and challenges encountered.
- 6Flag promising new directions and discoveries for deeper exploration by senior researchers.
Requirements7
- 1Late-stage PhD candidate, postdoctoral researcher, or early-career academic (0–5 years post-PhD) in computer science or mathematical/computational physics.
- 2Peer recognition for research excellence, such as best paper or dissertation awards at venues like STOC, FOCS, SODA, PLDI, or SC.
- 3Strong publication record within the past three years, including multiple top-venue papers and recent work on named open problems or novel concepts.
- 4Hands-on expertise in computational methods, covering simulation, numerical analysis, and algorithmic implementation.
- 5Experience reviewing or sub-reviewing for prominent conferences in your specialty is a plus.
- 6Background using frontier models, agents, or formal computational tools (e.g., Lean, SAT/SMT solvers) in scholarly work.
- 7Publicly shared research statement or homepage outlining specific open problems currently under investigation.
Who Should Apply
This role suits late-stage PhD candidates, postdocs, or early-career academics in computer science or mathematical/computational physics who have a strong publication record and hands-on computational skills. You should be comfortable framing open problems, running simulations, and verifying results with formal tools. The role is less suitable for those without recent top-venue publications or without experience in computational methods. Candidates often get rejected when their research statement does not name specific open problems, or when they lack evidence of peer recognition such as awards or review experience.
Salary Insight
Compensation for this contractor role ranges from $100 to $400 per hour, depending on your qualifications and the scope of work. The exact rate is discussed during the hiring process.
Pay and demand for Science & Research roles
AggregatedTypical pay
$80/hour
This role
$100–$400/hr
Most Science & Research roles pay $55–$104 per hour. This role's pay sits above that range.
Based on 519 similar roles that publish pay · 94 publish only a top rate; those count at the rate they gave
Rates shown per hour. Yearly and monthly pay converted; one-time fees and non-USD pay are not included.
- Live similar roles
- 601
- Listed in last 30 days
- 269
- Remote
- 97%
Hiring most right now: micro1 (235) · Mercor (75) · AfterQuery (74)
Most requested skills · share of roles
- python20%
- technical writing10%
- ai evaluation9%
- model evaluation8%
Figures from Science & Research roles live on NearSkill when this page loaded. A role can close before you apply, so check the listing itself.
Compare your resume against these rolesLocation
Compensation
$100–400/hr
Required Skills
Application Tip
In your application, include a link to your research statement or homepage that clearly lists the specific open problems you are currently investigating. Also highlight any best paper awards, recent top-venue publications, and experience with formal tools like Lean or SAT/SMT solvers to demonstrate your fit.
How NearSkill helps you apply
1. Check your job match
We compare your resume with the job requirements to help you understand how well your experience fits.
2. Continue to the employer’s website
We’ll direct you to the employer’s application portal, where you can complete the application.
3. Get updates by email
If NearSkill is handling follow-up for this role, we’ll email you when there’s an update on your screening.
Want to check your fit first?
See how your resume matches this role before applying.
Check my job matchSimilar open positions
Explore active roles that match your skills and interests.
Micro1
VerifiedPrincipal Research Scientist (Computer Science / Computational Physics)
micro1 seeks a Principal Research Scientist to join an advanced customer project that blends computational theory with AI. You will apply your domain expertise to train next-generation AI systems, shaping how models learn and reason through high-quality input. No prior AI experience is needed. You will work with frontier AI models and agents on open problems, define research direction, and set standards for scientific breakthroughs. Your rigorous approach will help determine what counts as genuine progress in your subfield.
AfterQuery
VerifiedResearch Scientist - Formal Methods
AfterQuery seeks senior researchers in formal methods and computational science to join a cohort focused on frontier AI evaluation. This research and evaluation work, not production engineering, asks you to define what correct and excellent reasoning looks like on hard problems in math, physics, chemistry, or biology. Expect to author problem sets, reference solutions, and grading rubrics that test whether AI models show genuine domain judgment. The role is remote and asynchronous, so you can fit it around existing commitments. Compensation is $135 per hour, with a range of $100 to $170 based on experience.
Micro1
VerifiedComputational Physics Expert
This role sits at the intersection of computational physics and artificial intelligence. You’ll apply your deep scientific expertise to help train next-generation AI systems, ensuring they reason accurately and learn from high-quality real-world physics data. Your work will directly influence how models handle complex simulations, numerical modeling, and scientific analysis.
Handshake AI
VerifiedComputational Physics Expert
Handshake AI seeks computational and theoretical physicists to join a remote, part-time contract effort that improves how AI models handle advanced physics. You will build tough problems, test model answers against real numerical methods, and write feedback that reflects how physicists solve problems in practice. The work fits around another job, with no fixed schedule or minimum hours, and pays $75 per hour through a fellowship program. Projects continue as new tasks arrive, so you can accept work when your calendar allows.
Turing
VerifiedScientific Computing Research Engineer (Remote Contract)
Turing recruits engineering experts for a frontier AI program that builds terminal-based scientific tasks used to train and evaluate AI agents. You translate authentic workflows from mechanical, electrical, chemical, aerospace, civil, materials, biomedical, robotics, and control systems engineering into reproducible computational problems. The work covers modeling, simulation, optimization, data processing, debugging, and technical validation. Expect a 5-week contractor engagement starting next week, with at least 6 hours per day, 40 hours per week, and 4 hours of daily overlap with PST.
Micro1
VerifiedPhysics Expert (PhD / Postdoc)
micro1 seeks Physics Experts with a PhD or late-stage doctoral work to support a customer project that trains next-generation AI systems. You will solve advanced problems from your subfield, write precise solutions in LaTeX, and verify results with SymPy, Python, and Jupyter. The engagement runs about 8 to 10 weeks at roughly 10 hours per week, with fully flexible scheduling that can fit evenings or weekends. No prior AI experience is needed. Your physics depth is the core qualification.