Telecommute Principal Research Fellow — Theoretical Computer Science & Physics (100% Remote Contract)

Partner with SMR Talent Collective from anywhere in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ, or Ireland as a remote Telecommute Principal Research Fellow — Theoretical Computer Science & Physics (100% Remote Contract) ($100 - $400/hour). This specialist role focuses on evaluating AI model outputs, authoring domain-specific rubrics, and validating technical workflows involving Novelty judgment, Research direction, Computational rigor, Complex problem solving - Research.

Project Responsibilities

• Guide frontier AI reasoning systems and agents in multi-step research processes—ranging from proofs and algorithms to numerical experiments and high-performance simulations.
• Critically assess and validate results, utilizing proof checks, computational reproduction, and formal methods to pinpoint the limits of model-generated reasoning.
• Evaluate and document the novelty, correctness, and significance of research outputs relative to current literature and established results.
• Produce clear, concise research memos detailing research attempts, partial solutions, and observed model limitations or failure patterns.
• Advise on research directions, recommending promising subfields and open problems suitable for advancement via frontier AI reasoning systems and computational tools.
• Demonstrated professional or academic background in Novelty judgment, Research direction, Computational rigor, Complex problem solving - Research.
• Strong analytical reasoning and ability to articulate complex concepts clearly in written English.

Required Expertise

• Recognition at the field level—such as major prizes, society fellowships, or plenary/invited talks at top scholarly events.
• A consistent publication record in leading venues within your domain, with recent results published in the past year.
• Demonstrated success resolving named open problems or introducing influential concepts adopted by peers.
• Deep, hands-on experience with computational research methods: simulation, numerical analysis, algorithmic implementation, and/or high-performance computing environments.
• Proven ability to rigorously examine technical work outside your immediate area of expertise.
• Experience on program committees, editorial boards, or with formal research tools (e.g., Lean, Coq, SAT/SMT solvers) is a strong plus, as is a public record of outlining open problems or showcasing research with advanced AI systems.
• Compensation Band: $100 - $400/hour

Rate Structure & Remote Benefits

• Compensation Rate: $100 - $400/hour (contract specialist remuneration)
• Work Arrangement: 100% Remote / Work From Home
• Eligible Remote Countries: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and South Africa
• Core Competencies: Novelty judgment, Research direction, Computational rigor, Complex problem solving - Research
• Hiring Agency: SMR Talent Collective

Direct Application Process: Click the Apply button on this page to proceed directly to our partner application portal and submit your profile for immediate consideration.