Postdoctoral Research Fellow - ultracold atoms and hydrodynamics of quantum fluids

• ­School of Mathematics and Physics

• Join a university ranked in the world’s top 50

• An opportunity to conduct research in the dynamic field of ultracold atoms and quantum fluid hydrodynamics.

• Expand your expertise and network within a supportive and collaborative environment, enhancing your professional growth in quantum physics research.

• Based at our vibrant and picturesque St Lucia Campus

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world, and within an environment where interdisciplinary collaborations are encouraged.

At the core of our teaching remains our students, and their experience with us sets a foundation for success far beyond graduation. UQ has made a commitment to making education opportunities available for all Queenslanders, regardless of personal, financial, or geographical barriers.

As part of our commitment to excellence in research and professional practice in academic contexts, we are proud to provide our staff with access to world-class facilities and equipment, grant writing support, greater research funding opportunities, and other forms of staff support and development.

About This Opportunity 

This is an exciting opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to focus their efforts on developing their expertise and emerging research profile in ultracold atoms and hydrodynamics of quantum fluids. As research focused academic at level A you will be supported and guided by more senior academic research staff with the expectation of an increasing degree of autonomy over time. At this level, it is expected that you will contribute to service and engagement roles and activities as well.
This position is in the theoretical group for Quantum Many-Body Dynamics (QMBD) led by Prof. Karen Kheruntsyan. The QMBD group is a recent offshoot of the quantum gases, condensed matter, and AMO physics research efforts that have been a core research strength in Quantum Science in the SMP for more than two decades. Other quantum gases, condensed matter, and AMO theorists that we closely interact with include Prof Matthew Davis, Dr. Joel Corney, A/Prof Jacinda Gringes, Prof. Ross McKenzie, and Prof. Ben Powel. We also closely interact with the UQ Bose-Einstein Condensation laboratory, led by Prof. Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop with Dr. Tyler Neely, and with the Quantum Optics laboratory of Prof. Warwick Bowen.

Key responsibilities will include: 

Research

• Conduct research in quantum gases and hydrodynamics of quantum fluids funded by an Australia Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project (DP) grant.

• Develop quantum many-body methods and computer codes and apply them to characterize finite-temperature equilibrium, nonequilibrium, and hydrodynamic behavior of ultracold quantum gas systems.

• Produce high quality research results and publish them in leading international peer-reviewed journals.

• Participate in the academic life of the School of Mathematics and Physics, including giving talks at seminars and regular group meetings.

• Collaborate with colleagues and postgraduate students in the development and execution of joint research projects.

Supervision and Researcher Development

• Assist in the supervision of postgraduate and undergraduate students.

• Demonstrates personal effectiveness in supervision and the management of researcher development.

Citizenship and Service

• Demonstrate citizenship behaviours that align to the UQ values.

• Contribute to internal service roles and administrative processes as required

This is a research focused position. Further information can be found by viewing UQ’s Criteria for Academic Performance .

This is a full-time fixed-term position for up to 18 months at Academic level A. The full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $77,324.85 - $102,945.12, plus a generous super allowance of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be up to $90,470.08 - $120,445.79 annually. As these roles are covered by an Enterprise Agreement, you will also receive regular remuneration increases in line with the Enterprise Agreement.

The greater benefits of joining the UQ community are broad:  from being part of a Group of Eight university, to recognition of prior service with other Australian universities, up to 26 weeks of paid parental leave, 17.5% annual leave loading, flexible working arrangements including hybrid on site/WFH options and flexible start/finish times, and genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process.

About You (Selection Criteria) 

• Applicants will have (or be in the process of obtaining) a PhD in theoretical physics in the research area of ultracold quantum gases, condensed matter physics, or computational fluid dynamics.

• Expertise in numerical methods for quantum many-body and computational fluid dynamics, such as finite temperature c-field techniques, truncated Wigner approximation, Matrix Product States, or PDE solvers for Navier-Stokes equations will be an advantage.

• Applicants will have evidence of high-quality publications in reputable, peer-reviewed journals.

• Applicants will have an emerging research profile in the discipline.

• Applicants are expected to have high level of interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate and interact well with colleagues, students, and non-academic staff.

In addition, the following mandatory requirements apply:

• Work Rights:  Visa sponsorship may be available for this appointment. 

• Background Checks: All final applicants for this position may be asked to consent to a criminal record check. Please note that people with criminal records are not automatically barred from applying for this position. Each application will be considered on its merits. 

Relocating from interstate or overseas? You can find out more about life in Australia’s Sunshine State here .

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Professor Karen Kheruntsyan at [email protected] 

For application queries, please contact [email protected] stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.

All applicants must upload the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae

• Cover Letter which should address your responses to the Selection Criteria from the ‘About You’ section

• Applicants are required to provide the names and contact details of three referees in the application form

Other Information 

At UQ we know that our greatest strengths come from our diverse mix of colleagues, this is reflected in our ongoing commitment to creating an environment focused on equity, diversity and inclusion .  We ensure that we are always attracting, retaining and promoting colleagues who are representative of the diversity in the broader community, whether that be gender identity , LGBTQIA+ , cultural and/or linguistic , Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples , or people with a disability . Accessibility requirements and/or adjustments can be directed to [email protected] .

If you are a current employee (including casual staff and HDR scholars) or hold an unpaid/affiliate appointment, please login to your staff Workday account and visit the internal careers board to apply for this opportunity. Please do NOT apply via the external job board.

Applications close Monday 3rd June 2024 at 11.00pm AEST (R-37542). Please note that the interviews of shortlisted candidates will be conducted in late June or early July. The successful candidate is expected to commence the appointment in October 2024.