micro1 role
Principal Research Scientist (Computer Science / Computational Physics) at micro1
Senior researchers in computer science or computational physics team up with leading AI models and agents on open research problems. You frame problems where progress can be verified, steer the models through proofs, algorithms and simulations, then validate the results through proof checks and reproduction. Your memos record novelty, correctness, model limits, and promising directions. No AI background is needed.
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What you would do
- Frame foundational open problems, bounds or simulation challenges where progress can be verified
- Steer AI models and agents through proofs, algorithms and numerical experiments
- Validate outputs using proof checks, reproduction and formal methods
- Write research memos on attempts, partial results and model failure patterns
What the listing asks for
- Preferred: seven to ten-plus years of ongoing research, in computer science or computational physics
- Preferred: field-level recognition such as major prizes, fellowships or invited talks
- Preferred: steady publications in leading venues, including the past year
- Preferred: hands-on simulation, numerical analysis, algorithm or high-performance computing experience
- Preferred: experience with Lean, Coq or SAT/SMT solvers, or editorial and committee service
Suits professionals who are established researchers wanting flexible work, part-time or full-time, evaluating how far AI models can advance research.
The listing as micro1 posted it
This is micro1's public listing for the role, read October 29, 2026, with dashes and placeholder links cleaned up. The listing is micro1's text; the summary above and everything below it is ours.
Role Title: Principal Research Scientist (Computer Science / Computational Physics)
Role Type: Contractor (flexible, Part-Time or Full-Time)
Location: Remote
micro1 is engaging Principal Research Scientist (Computer Science / Computational Physics)s to contribute to an advanced customer project at the intersection of computational theory and AI. In this role, you'll apply your expertise to help train next-generation AI systems. Your work will shape how models learn, reason, and perform through high-quality, real-world input. No prior experience in AI is required - your domain knowledge is what matters. You will work with frontier AI models and agents to tackle open problems, drive research direction, and define standards for scientific breakthroughs. Your insights and rigorous approach will be pivotal in charting what counts as genuine progress within your subfield.
Scope of Work
- Identify, frame, and articulate foundational open problems, theoretical bounds, or simulation challenges where verifiable progress can be demonstrated.
- Guide AI models 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 AI models and computational tools.
Preferred Qualifications
- 7 - 10+ years of active research in computer science or mathematical/computational physics, with a strong record of scholarly contributions.
- 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.
Referral link. We may be paid a referral fee.
Pay and terms
The listing does not state a rate for this role. micro1's expert guide describes pay in bands by type of work rather than per role, so treat any figure you see elsewhere as unconfirmed until it appears in your contract.
micro1 engages experts as contractors. Its help library says payments are made in USD twice a month and that contracts and payroll run through Deel. Payments cannot be processed until identity verification there is complete. Read our micro1 review for what workers say about project availability and support.
Before you apply
Science listings often ask for a master's degree or PhD in the field. Have your degree, field and publication or research background ready to describe.
Applying starts with an AI interview, then certification, then matching to projects by recruiters. micro1 says certification does not guarantee a project, so treat this as flexible work and not as a job offer. The how to become an AI trainer guide walks through each step.
Referral link. We may be paid a referral fee.
People also ask
Can research scientists work remotely?
At micro1, yes for this role: the Principal Research Scientist (Computer Science / Computational Physics) listing is remote contractor work, flexible between part-time and full-time. You work with frontier AI models and agents on open research problems. The listing states no pay rate or country, and micro1 does not guarantee hours.
Do you need a PhD to be a research scientist?
The micro1 listing for this principal-level role names no specific degree. Its preferred qualifications describe 7 to 10+ years of active research in computer science or mathematical or computational physics, a strong publication record, and field-level recognition such as major prizes or society fellowships. No prior AI experience is required.
What is the job of a research scientist?
In micro1's Principal Research Scientist role, you frame open problems where progress can be verified, guide AI models and agents through proofs, algorithms and simulations, and validate results with proof checks and reproduction. You then write research memos on novelty, correctness, partial solutions and model limitations, and advise on promising directions. It is remote contractor work.
Are research scientists in high demand?
This page cannot measure market demand for research scientists. What it can say is that micro1 listed this Principal Research Scientist role in computer science and computational physics on its public job list when we read it on October 23, 2026. Listings open and close without notice, and this one prefers very senior researchers, so it says little about the wider field.
Are research scientists paid well?
This site does not publish market salary data for research scientists and gives no general figure. The micro1 listing for this contractor role states no pay rate, and describes flexible part-time or full-time work. micro1 listings state project terms, not earnings, so this page cannot say whether the pay would be good.
What degree does a research scientist need?
This page cannot name a general requirement. This micro1 listing states no degree. It prefers 7 to 10 or more years of active research in computer science or mathematical or computational physics, a consistent publication record in leading venues and recognition at the field level. Other employers may set different requirements.
How much does the Principal Research Scientist (Computer Science / Computational Physics) role at micro1 pay?
The listing does not state a rate for this role, so we cannot give a figure. micro1's expert guide describes pay in bands by type of work rather than per role. Ask during onboarding, and read the contract before you accept work.
Is the Principal Research Scientist (Computer Science / Computational Physics) role remote?
The listing calls it remote work and does not name a country limit. micro1 says it hires globally but cannot hire in a list of excluded countries, so read the eligibility line on the listing and in your application before you start.
How do I apply for the Principal Research Scientist (Computer Science / Computational Physics) role?
Open the listing on micro1's site and apply there. Applying starts with an AI interview, followed by certification and matching to projects by recruiters. micro1 says certification does not guarantee a project. Our how to become an AI trainer guide covers each step.
Is this listing still open?
We read micro1's public listing on October 29, 2026. Roles close without notice, so confirm on the listing itself. If it has closed, the other science and research roles on this site are linked below.
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Related guides
Sources and method
- micro1 public job listing for this role, read October 29, 2026. The summary, task and requirement lines are our paraphrase of that listing.
- The questions under People also ask: Google's related questions for this kind of role in the United States, as reported by Ahrefs, pulled October 29, 2026. Answers are ours, written from the listing and from our own sourced micro1 pages.
- micro1 help library and expert guide for payment timing and the hiring steps, read 17 October 2026.
Listings change without notice. If this page is out of date, tell us.
Referral link: we may be paid if micro1 hires you.