Materials Science Expert

About the role

We are looking for a highly skilled Materials Science Expert to contribute to an AI training project involving computational materials science, materials modeling, scientific simulation, and Python. The work involves creating, solving, reviewing, and validating engineering tasks related to material structures, properties, processing, performance, and failure. This is a very coding‑heavy role, and candidates should have experience using coding agents with Python in their workflow.

Responsibilities

• Solve and validate computational materials‑science and materials‑engineering problems.
• Create material structures, atomic configurations, compositions, and solver‑ready inputs.
• Model relationships between composition, structure, processing, properties, and performance.
• Run atomistic, electronic‑structure, molecular‑dynamics, continuum, electrochemical, or related simulations.
• Use Python to generate inputs, automate calculations, conduct parameter sweeps, process results, and validate outputs.

Required Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, Metallurgy, or a closely related discipline; or MS/PhD in Mechanical Engineering or Chemical Engineering with a substantial materials specialization.
• Strong understanding of materials behavior and relevant structure‑property relationships.
• Experience with computational materials modeling, simulation, characterization, or materials‑focused engineering analysis.
• Experience using coding agents and Python. Relevant tools may include LAMMPS, ASE, pymatgen, Quantum ESPRESSO, FEniCSx, CalculiX, Elmer, PyBaMM, or similar programmatic materials and simulation software. Equivalent CLI‑accessible tools are acceptable.
• Proficiency with Python libraries such as NumPy, SciPy, pandas, Matplotlib, Jupyter, atomistic modeling packages, materials informatics libraries, or other domain‑specific scientific tools.
• Experience may come from academic research, national laboratories, industry R&D, computational engineering, or other demonstrated materials work.

Compensation Structure

Compensation is output‑based. Experts are paid per task that meets the project specifications. The time required to complete each task may vary depending on the expert’s experience and workflow. Minimum submission requirements apply.

Pay

$80–$150 per hour.

Schedule

Contractor role (~15 hours per week) with flexible hours and days; you choose when to work, including weekends if desired.

Start Timeline & Availability

Roles are typically filled within 48 hours. Selected experts are expected to begin their first task within 24–48 hours of completing onboarding.

Application Process

• Apply to the role and complete the screening questions.
• Complete a 30‑minute AI interview.
• Complete the hiring manager review.