Mercor
1 week ago
PhD-level Quantum Information Science Physicist Opportunity in Quantum Information, Quantum Optics, and Related Areas Mercor
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
Hourly contract role paying $80 to $110 per hour, depending on depth of subdomain match. The work is remote, asynchronous, and expected to take about 10 hours per week over an 8 to 10 week window starting immediately. Payments are weekly on Stripe or Wise. Independent contractor engagement.
Country
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University
Mercor
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About this position
Quantum Information Science Physicist (PhD) — a remote, hourly contract role with Mercor for research-level physics work in quantum information science and closely related subfields.
The project, called CritPt, is a public benchmark of research-level physics challenges designed to test whether frontier AI models can perform genuine physics research reasoning. The work is not volume-based; it requires complete, specialist-level written reasoning that another expert can independently verify.
Research areas include distributed quantum sensing and metrology with GHZ probes under noise, quantum optics and SU(1,1) interferometry, quantum Shannon theory, holographic codes and random tensor networks, matrix product states and sequential generation, eigenstate-to-Hamiltonian construction, quantum-limited imaging and superresolution, quantum walks and spatial search, quantum foundations, private states and quantum/private capacity, and quantum relative entropy with strong data processing inequalities.
Eligibility highlights: a PhD in quantum information, quantum optics, or a closely related field is required. Applicants should have published on one of the specific phenomena listed in the post, not merely on adjacent topics. A verifiable publication record is required, with 3 to 5 representative papers (arXiv IDs or DOIs), ideally from the last five years. First-author papers are strongly preferred. Applicants should also be comfortable with LaTeX, Python, SymPy, and Jupyter, and have English proficiency at B2 level or above.
Funding and terms: the role pays $80–$110 per hour, depending on subdomain match, and is expected to run for 10 hours per week over an 8 to 10 week window starting immediately. It is fully remote, asynchronous, and paid weekly on Stripe or Wise as an independent contractor engagement.
How to apply: submit the Mercor application form, complete the requested steps, and provide your education, research experience, method self-attestation, and up to five best-fit areas. For each selected area, include proof from your own paper using an arXiv ID or DOI, plus your author position and the methods demonstrated. A short alignment call or brief assessment may follow.
Recommended reading: the benchmark paper arXiv:2509.26574 is linked in the post and may help applicants judge fit quickly.
Funding details
Hourly contract role paying $80 to $110 per hour, depending on depth of subdomain match. The work is remote, asynchronous, and expected to take about 10 hours per week over an 8 to 10 week window starting immediately. Payments are weekly on Stripe or Wise. Independent contractor engagement.
What's required
A PhD in quantum information, quantum optics, or a closely related field is required. Applicants should have published on one of the specific listed phenomena, not just adjacent topics, and must provide a verifiable publication record with 3 to 5 representative papers including arXiv IDs or DOIs, ideally from the last five years. First-author papers are strongly preferred. Working proficiency with LaTeX, Python, SymPy, and Jupyter is expected, along with English at B2 level or above and the ability to write clear reasoning. Senior PhD students with a strong first-author record may apply; postdoctoral researchers, research scientists, and junior faculty are also a strong fit.
How to apply
Apply through the attached Mercor form and complete the application steps. Provide basic information, education, research experience, a method self-attestation, and up to five best-fit areas with proof for each using your own arXiv ID or DOI plus author position and demonstrated methods. If shortlisted, you may be invited to a short alignment call and possibly a brief assessment.
More information can be found here
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