Physics Expert (AMO / Optical Properties of Materials)

$100–200/hr

rate as listed

Workload: 5–10+ hrs/week
Engagement: Project-based
Location: Worldwide
Field: Sciences

micro1 is contracting AMO physicists to review and critique atomic-structure and polarizability calculations — with a specific emphasis on ab initio configuration interaction methods and ytterbium isotopes — as training input for AI models. The work is part-time (5–10+ hrs/week), fully remote and schedule-flexible, and screening runs through an adaptive spoken AI interview.

What the work involves

You are the physics authority on a narrow, technical customer project. Day to day that means reading model-generated or human-drafted material on atomic and optical physics and saying, precisely, where it is right and where it quietly breaks. Concrete threads named in the listing include ab initio configuration interaction treatments of atomic polarizability, atomic-structure computation for Yb-171 and Yb-174 (the odd isotope's hyperfine structure being the point of the distinction), and the identification of sigma versus pi transitions in real spectra with the selection-rule reasoning spelled out rather than asserted.

Tasks arrive asynchronously and typically look like: critique this derivation, flag the physical error in this stated polarizability result, explain why this transition assignment is wrong given the quantization axis and light polarization, or produce a worked reference answer at the level of a graduate AMO course. Volume is modest — 5 to 10 hours a week, with more available on some projects — and there is no requirement of prior AI or ML experience. The observed band for this kind of specialist work is $100–200/hr; rates are set per project and are not guaranteed.

What the screen actually looks for

micro1's screening is an adaptive spoken AI interview: one question at a time, with follow-ups generated from what you just said. It rewards depth over breadth. Expect to be pushed one or two levels past your first answer — if you mention a CI calculation, you will be asked which basis, which correlation was included, how convergence was checked. It also screens for whether you can talk about your work at all without touching unpublishable or export-controlled material, so choose examples from published papers, theses, or open-source codes.

Verifiable specifics: degrees, groups, codes used, papers you can point to
Domain depth under follow-up, not memorized definitions
Evaluation judgment: can you separate a wrong answer from a poorly explained right one
Honest availability and a workable overlap with the project's review cycle

Logistics

Fully remote, open worldwide, contractor engagement. Hours are flexible including evenings and weekends, so the practical constraint is turnaround on review batches rather than fixed shifts. Communication is in English, spoken and written.

What they look for

MS or PhD in physics with an AMO or optical-materials focus
Ab initio configuration interaction calculations of atomic polarizability
Atomic-structure computation, including ytterbium isotopes (Yb-171, Yb-174)
Selection rules and sigma vs pi transition assignment in atomic spectra
Clear structured scientific explanation, spoken and written
Ability to discuss work using only legally shareable material

Before you apply

Would you pass this screen?

Drawn from what this listing actually requires. Answered in your browser — nothing is sent to us, and we do not store your answers.

Do you hold an MS or PhD in physics (or have equivalent research experience) with a focus on AMO physics or optical properties of materials?
Advanced physics degree · required
Have you performed or directly contributed to ab initio configuration interaction calculations of atomic polarizability?
CI polarizability experience · required
Have you worked on atomic-structure calculations or measurements involving ytterbium isotopes such as Yb-171 or Yb-174?
Ytterbium atomic structure · preferred
Can you commit at least 5 hours per week to contract work on a flexible schedule?
Weekly availability · required
Are you able and willing to complete an adaptive spoken interview conducted in English by an AI interviewer?
Spoken AI interview · required
Can you discuss concrete technical examples from research or projects that you are legally permitted to share?
Shareable examples · preferred

0 of 6 answered

Included with this listing

Interview prep — 10 questions

Matched to what this platform's screening actually measures. Answer each out loud in 60–90 seconds: claim → concrete example → implication.

What it tests: Whether your training is genuinely atomic/optical rather than adjacent condensed-matter or optics engineering repackaged for the listing.
A strong answer: Name the degree, the group or advisor's research area, the specific atomic or molecular species you worked with, and what you personally computed or measured as opposed to what the group did.
Where people lose it: Answering at the level of 'quantum optics and materials' — the follow-up will immediately ask which species and which method, and a vague first answer means you spend the rest of the interview backfilling.

Summary, eligibility guidance and screening preparation are prepared by Sidequest from the platform's posting. Check the source listing before applying.