Computational Materials Science Researcher (Task Author)

Turn computational work from your own materials science research into paid evaluation tasks for AI models. Open to research-track Bachelor's students, Master's and PhD students, postdocs, and recent graduates.

AfterQuery is building a network of researchers to author and validate research-grade scientific-computing tasks for AI models.

A strong task is a real piece of computational work from your own research, something you've actually run and debugged: a phase-field or CALPHAD model, an atomistic simulation, a microstructure or diffraction analysis, or a transport calculation you implemented and validated. Each task has a main problem, a few connected subproblems, a Python reference solution, and tests that check the result. The difficulty should come from the materials science itself, not from withheld information.

We're looking for researchers in: electronic and quantum materials; semiconductors and optoelectronics; metals, alloys, and computational metallurgy; polymers and soft materials; ceramics and glasses; mechanical behavior and structural materials; thermal transport and lattice dynamics; battery and energy materials; surfaces, interfaces, and nanomaterials; and materials informatics.

Requirements

Education: A Bachelor's student on a research track or with research experience (such as an REU, a thesis, or an RA or lab role), a Master's or PhD student, a postdoc, or a recent graduate in materials science, physics, chemistry, mechanical engineering, or a closely related field.

Technical: Hands-on experience writing your own code, preferably Python, to model materials or analyze materials data. Running standard packages without your own scripting isn't enough.

Work authorization: Must be able to work as an independent contractor without visa sponsorship. Students on F-1 visas (including OPT/CPT) are not eligible.

Contract and pay

Flexible, independent-contractor work: $200 per approved task, about 2 hours each, with no cap on how many tasks you take on. Tasks go through review, and you may also review other experts' tasks against a short rubric.

All accepted experts undergo standard background and identity verification.

Why Apply

Work on your own schedule: task-based, not a fixed hourly commitment

Contribute directly to how AI models are evaluated on real, expert-level scientific work

Paid, flexible work: $200 per approved task (about 2 hours each), no cap on how many you take on

Responsibilities

Design and author original research-grade evaluation tasks based on your own computational work

Specify the metrics a strong solution should be judged by, without publishing the exact passing thresholds

Revise tasks based on structured review feedback until they're approved

Optionally review and calibrate tasks submitted by other experts in your domain

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's student on a research track or with research experience, Master's or PhD student, postdoc, or recent graduate in materials science, physics, chemistry, mechanical engineering, or a closely related field

Has written their own code, preferably in Python, to model materials or analyze materials data

Able to turn your own computational research into a well-specified task with a reference solution and tests

Able to work independently and manage your own time. This is flexible, task-based work with no fixed weekly schedule

Preferred Qualifications

Research experience in phase-field or CALPHAD modeling, crystal plasticity, phonon transport, or energy materials

Public code, a thesis, or papers that show your computational work

Prior experience in data annotation, data labeling, or AI/ML evaluation work

About AfterQuery

AfterQuery is a research lab investigating the boundaries of artificial intelligence through novel datasets and experimentation. We believe great AI comes from exceptional, human-generated data.

We're backed by top investors, including Y Combinator and Box Group, and support all leading AI labs.

Apply today to contribute to pushing the frontier of AI.

Apply here: https://experts.afterquery.com/apply/computational-materials-researcher