Principal Scientific Research Expert - Computational Theory & Physics

Job description

**This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, which manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Principal Scientific Research Expert – Computational Theory & Physics based in Portugal.** Join an advanced AI research initiative at the intersection of computational theory, physics, mathematics, and artificial intelligence. As a Principal Scientific Research Expert, you will tackle complex open research problems and guide advanced AI models and agents through rigorous scientific investigations. You will evaluate theoretical breakthroughs, validate computational results, and distinguish genuine scientific progress from plausible but unverified conclusions. Working across mathematical proofs, algorithm development, numerical experiments, simulations, and high-performance computing, you will help establish robust standards for scientific evaluation. This remote opportunity offers experienced researchers the chance to influence how frontier AI systems approach challenging scientific questions. Your expertise will shape research priorities, strengthen evaluation methodologies, and uncover promising directions for future discovery. ### Accountabilities - Identify and formulate foundational open research problems, theoretical limits, and computational challenges where meaningful progress can be rigorously measured. - Guide advanced AI models and agents through complex, multi-stage research workflows involving mathematical proofs, algorithm design, numerical experiments, simulations, and high-performance computing. - Validate scientific findings through proof verification, computational reproduction, formal methods, and other rigorous evaluation techniques. - Assess the novelty, correctness, and scientific significance of research outputs by comparing them with established findings and current scientific literature. - Produce concise, structured research memos documenting attempted solutions, partial progress, methodological limitations, recurring reasoning failures, and opportunities for improvement. - Recommend promising research directions, specialized fields, and unresolved problems suitable for exploration with advanced AI models and computational tools. - Apply independent scientific judgment when reviewing technical work, including research that extends beyond your immediate area of specialization. - Help develop and refine evaluation frameworks that distinguish verifiable scientific advances from unsupported claims or superficially convincing results. ## Requirements - Approximately 7–10+ years of active research experience in computer science, computational physics, mathematical physics, or a closely related theoretical or mathematical discipline. - A strong record of scholarly contributions, including publications in leading academic conferences, peer-reviewed journals, or other recognized research venues. - Extensive hands-on experience with computational research methodologies, including numerical analysis, simulation, algorithm implementation, and/or high-performance computing. - Demonstrated ability to critically evaluate technical claims, verify theoretical and computational results, and identify gaps or inconsistencies in mathematical reasoning. - Strong familiarity with relevant scientific literature, foundational theories, established results, and current research developments within your field. - Excellent analytical thinking, problem-solving, scientific writing, and technical communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex findings clearly and concisely. - Strong independent research capabilities, sound scientific judgment, and the ability to navigate ambiguous problems while identifying practical paths toward meaningful results. - Excellent written English and the ability to document research findings, methodologies, limitations, and conclusions with precision. - A principal-level research mindset, combining intellectual rigor, scientific curiosity, and the ability to assess work critically across interdisciplinary domains. - Prior experience in the AI industry is not required; exceptional research expertise, methodological rigor, and scientific judgment are the primary priorities. ## Benefits - **Remote work:** Work remotely from India, with the opportunity to contribute to an advanced research initiative without a location-bound office requirement. - **Research impact:** Contribute to frontier AI research by helping evaluate scientific reasoning, computational discoveries, and emerging research capabilities. - **Intellectually challenging work:** Investigate complex theoretical and computational questions at the intersection of computer science, physics, mathematics, and AI. - **Scientific autonomy:** Apply your research expertise and independent judgment to open-ended problems, research evaluation, and the identification of promising scientific directions. - **Interdisciplinary collaboration:** Engage with advanced AI models and agents across diverse research workflows, from mathematical proofs to numerical simulations. - **Opportunity for influence:** Help shape rigorous evaluation standards and methodologies for measuring meaningful scientific progress. - **Flexible work environment:** Benefit from a remote-first setting designed to support focused, independent research. - **Compensation and additional benefits:** Salary, healthcare coverage, paid leave, equipment allowances, and other benefits have not been specified in the available job description and should be confirmed during the hiring process.