Physics Expert (Condensed Matter / Magnetic Materials)

What you'll do

This listing is about reading magnetic order from its fingerprints. The customer's project covers magnetic space groups, neutron scattering, BNS notation and the physical signatures of magnetic order, and the work is to produce and check expert answers in that space for AI training.

The ad names four activities:

• Structure factors and propagation vectors. Calculating and interpreting magnetic structure factors, using propagation-vector methods and symmetry arguments.
• Phase classification. Identifying antiferromagnetic, ferromagnetic and related phases from theory and from experimental data, including neutron diffraction.
• Space group curation. Assigning and validating magnetic space groups against established datasets such as MAGNDATA, consistent with BNS notation.
• Optical signatures. Evaluating birefringence and magneto-optic Kerr effect (MOKE) signatures and tying them back to the magnetic structure.

The MAGNDATA point is a useful tell. Curating assignments against a reference database is careful, detail-heavy work where the error is usually a convention mismatch rather than bad physics, so people who have actually wrestled with BNS versus OG settings will be at home.

Who fits

• A PhD or equivalent research experience in condensed matter physics, specialising in magnetism or a related area
• Proficiency with magnetic structure factor calculations, propagation-vector analysis and symmetry-based phase identification
• Direct experience classifying magnetic space groups, with hands-on MAGNDATA and BNS familiarity
• Strong knowledge of neutron scattering for magnetic structure determination
• The ability to connect birefringence or MOKE signatures to underlying mechanisms

Neutron scatterers and magnetic crystallographers fit this more naturally than, say, spin-model theorists, although the ad wants both the symmetry and the experimental side.

What it pays

$80–160/hour, micro1's published band and the same as its AMO / Quantum Information and Biophysics physics listings. Unlike those, this ad does not mention the Solver, Auditor and Adjudicator roles. No compensation structure, weekly hours or duration is stated.

Worth knowing

Good:

• A precisely scoped field: easy to judge your own fit
• Experimental and computational magnetism backgrounds are both relevant
• No country restriction stated, and no AI experience needed
• Up to $160/hour

Less good:

• Narrow specialism; general condensed matter experience without magnetic symmetry work will not stretch far
• A 2x band with no stated basis for placement
• No hours, duration or pay structure published
• Posted two months ago; check it is still open
• Contractor engagement: no benefits, no notice period, your own tax to manage

About this listing

Posted by micro1 on its own jobs portal and read on 24 September 2026. The band, the ten openings, the topics and the qualifications are from the listing; the comments on who fits best are ours. See micro1.