Materials Science Researcher for AI Model Development

Role Overview

Apply deep materials science expertise to improve how advanced AI systems reason about real-world materials science and engineering work. You will work closely with an AI research and program management team, defining rigorous standards for technical tasks, model outputs, and evaluations. This role is intended for a practicing specialist with strong technical judgment, not a generalist.

Key Responsibilities

• Review materials science knowledge-work tasks and model outputs for technical quality, identifying missing behaviors, shallow reasoning, unsupported structure-to-property claims, and plausible-sounding answers that would not withstand technical review.
• Write detailed instruction specifications and golden solutions for materials problems, and define new tasks that reflect real professional practice.
• Design challenging domain-specific benchmarks and evaluation sets that measure model improvement.
• Help develop materials-focused skills and tools with the research team.
• Collaborate with researchers and adjacent-domain specialists to calibrate standards and turn expert judgment into clear, teachable evaluation 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 may be considered with exceptional industrial depth.
• 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.
• Demonstrated progression to a senior role, such as Senior Scientist, Staff Scientist, Research Lead, Principal Investigator, or a senior industrial R&D position, 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 technically sound reasoning from convincing but incorrect responses.
• Excellent written communication and the ability to provide precise, well-structured feedback.

Work Terms

• Full-time W-2 employment, embedded with a client research team in standard enterprise workflows.
• Initial commitment of 6 months at 40 hours per week.
• Hybrid role based in the Bay Area, California, with on-site work alongside the client team multiple days each 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.

Compensation

Hourly pay of $70 to $110.

Eligibility and Application Process

• Apply through the available job application channel. Selected candidates are employed on a W-2 basis, with employment onboarding, payroll, benefits, and compliance administered by the employer of record.
• Equal employment opportunity is provided without discrimination based on legally protected characteristics. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans throughout the application process.