Physics Expert Adjudication Specialist

About OpenTrain

OpenTrain is the leading platform for building careers in AI training and data labeling. We help experts find and grow freelance work that directly shapes how modern AI behaves; creating an OpenTrain account is free.

OpenTrain AI is the hiring and contracting organization for this project. We offer flexible, remote contracting opportunities where subject-matter experts produce high-impact technical guidance used to train and evaluate advanced models.

Why AI Training Matters

AI training is the human side of building intelligent systems: people prepare, evaluate, and refine the examples and judgments models learn from. Your expert assessments will help models reason more reliably about technical, domain-specific physics claims.

Contributors work remotely and often part time, fitting projects around other commitments while doing cutting-edge work that directly impacts how future AI systems make technical decisions.

The Role

You will provide high-level domain guidance by adjudicating contested physics arguments, comparing alternative solutions, and writing rigorous evaluations of technical claims. Work focuses on meta-level analysis of assumptions, regime validity, and producing defensible written assessments suitable for expert review.

This contract, part-time role expects a minimum of 20+ hours per week and is remote and worldwide. Compensation is hourly at $80–$160/hr (top rate $160/hr), paid per the contract terms.

• Employment type: Contractor, Part-time
• Time commitment: 20+ hours/week
• Language: English

What You'll Do

• Review competing physics arguments, solutions, and interpretations within your subfield and produce written adjudications.
• Compare alternative approaches and explain which is stronger under specific assumptions or regimes.
• Identify key assumptions, approximations, and limitations; evaluate robustness and validity of technical work.
• Distinguish settled conclusions from open questions and state calibrated confidence levels.
• Use LaTeX, SymPy, Python, and Jupyter to verify, reproduce, or contrast technical claims when needed.
• Write clear, rigorous assessments that can stand up to peer expert review.

Requirements

This role requires senior-level domain expertise and a track record of independent research leadership. Submit representative publications and evidence of your background during application.

• PhD in physics with demonstrated expertise and scholarly impact in a relevant subfield.
• Current or former senior research leadership such as Associate Professor, Full Professor, Chair Professor, Principal Investigator, or Group Leader.
• Ongoing research activity in areas such as High Energy Physics, Mathematical Physics, Biophysics, Statistical Physics, Condensed Matter, AMO/Quantum Optics, Gravitation, Cosmology, Astrophysics, Quantum Information, or Optical Properties of Materials.
• 3–5 recent representative publications with arXiv or DOI references.
• Experience supervising PhD students or postdocs, or equivalent leadership in industry or national lab research.
• Proficiency with LaTeX, SymPy, Python, and Jupyter.
• Exceptional written communication and the ability to articulate nuanced, defensible judgments in English.

Helpful Background

• Experience adjudicating scientific disputes or producing formal expert technical evaluations.
• Comfort reasoning about assumptions, approximations, and regime-specific validity.
• Evidence of independent research leadership and clear technical exposition aimed at expert audiences.

How It Works

Create a free OpenTrain account, complete your expert profile, and apply to this listing. Include your CV and 3–5 representative publications (arXiv or DOI links) so reviewers can verify fit.

If selected, you'll work as a contractor for OpenTrain AI on remote, paid assignments. Assignments will specify deliverables, expected hours, and technical scope; you will be paid hourly at the agreed rate between $80 and $160 per hour.