PhD Chemist, AI Expert (Remote, US)

This role is for one of our clients

Compensation: $90 - $140 per hour

Employment Type: Contract (Independent Contractor)
Location: Remote (United States)
Work Arrangement: Fully Remote, Flexible Schedule

Job Overview

We are seeking highly experienced PhD Chemists and Chemistry Researchers to contribute their scientific expertise to the development, evaluation, and advancement of next-generation Artificial Intelligence (AI) models.

In this role, you will collaborate with leading AI research teams to improve how advanced AI models understand, analyze, and reason about complex chemical concepts and real-world chemistry research. You will leverage your specialized domain knowledge and research experience to evaluate chemistry-related reasoning tasks, assess AI-generated outputs, develop rigorous problem specifications, create reference solutions, and design advanced benchmarks to measure model performance.

The ideal candidate will be an established academic or research professional with deep specialization in at least one area of chemistry, a strong peer-reviewed publication record, and practical experience using Large Language Models (LLMs) in scientific or research workflows.

Key Responsibilities

• Expert Evaluation: Review chemistry-related tasks and AI-generated outputs for scientific accuracy, logical consistency, and research-level rigor.
• Identify implausible reaction mechanisms, infeasible chemical reactions, stoichiometric inconsistencies, thermodynamic errors, and incorrect spectral interpretations.
• Problem Design: Develop precise, challenging, research-level chemistry problem statements that reflect real-world scientific and experimental challenges.
• Reference Solutions: Create detailed and scientifically rigorous reference solutions, including chemical equations, reaction mechanisms, calculations, and explanations that establish clear standards for correctness.
• Benchmark Development: Design advanced chemistry problems, evaluation datasets, and benchmarks within your area of specialization to assess and improve AI model capabilities.
• Scientific Assessment: Evaluate AI-generated chemical reasoning, experimental approaches, reaction predictions, and theoretical explanations to distinguish scientifically valid arguments from plausible but incorrect conclusions.
• Research Collaboration: Work with AI researchers and subject matter experts across related scientific disciplines to establish evaluation methodologies and improve model performance.
• Feedback & Calibration: Translate specialized chemical knowledge and expert judgment into structured feedback, evaluation criteria, and measurable quality standards.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related scientific discipline.
• Senior-level academic or research experience, such as:
• Faculty appointment at a recognized university.
• Principal Investigator (PI).
• Staff Scientist or Senior Scientist.
• Equivalent senior research position at a university, national laboratory, or established research organization.
• Deep specialization in at least one of the following chemistry domains:
• Organic and Synthetic Chemistry.
• Physical Chemistry.
• Computational Chemistry.
• Inorganic Chemistry.
• Materials Chemistry.
• Analytical Chemistry.
• Chemical Biology.
• Theoretical Chemistry.
• Strong peer-reviewed research publication record.
• Recognition through competitive research fellowships, academic awards, grants, or other notable scientific achievements is an added advantage.
• Hands-on experience using Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI tools in scientific, academic, or research workflows.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking abilities, with the ability to identify chemical inaccuracies and evaluate complex scientific reasoning.
• Excellent written communication skills and the ability to provide precise, structured, and technically sound feedback.
• Must be currently based in the United States.

Contract & Payment Terms

• Engagement will be on an independent contractor basis.
• The position is fully remote and offers flexibility to complete assignments according to your own schedule and project requirements.
• Project timelines may be extended, shortened, or concluded early depending on business requirements and individual performance.
• The engagement will not require access to confidential or proprietary information belonging to any current or former employer, client, university, or research institution.
• Payments will be processed weekly through Stripe or Wise based on services rendered.
• H-1B and STEM OPT visa holders cannot be accommodated for this opportunity.