Doctoral Researcher (Theoretical and Computational Physics)

22 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

TAMPERE UNIVERSITY

Research Field

Physics

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)
First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Finland

Application Deadline

17 Apr 2024 - 00:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Other

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

5 positions 

Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences create a unique environment for multidisciplinary, inspirational and high-impact research and education. Our university community has its competitive edges in technology, health and society. www.tuni.fi/en

The Finnish Quantum Flagship is looking for Doctoral Researchers. The Quantum Flagship is a national initiative to promote quantum science and technology and develop researcher training. At Tampere University, we are looking for 5 Doctoral Researchers in the area of theoretical and computational physics to work on projects motivated by quantum science and technology. Successful candidates will pursue a doctoral degree at Tampere University. The positions are full-time and for three years, during which doctoral studies are expected to be completed.

Requirements

You need to have a Master’s degree in theoretical or computational physics or a closely related field and have demonstrated (during your studies towards the Master’s degree or otherwise) the competence and motivation to pursue postgraduate studies. Please be prepared to provide proof of your merits when requested. 

Successful candidates must be pursuing or need be accepted (within the trial period) to study towards a doctoral degree in the doctoral programme of the discipline. Please visit the admissions webpage https://www.tuni.fi/en/study-with-us/programmes/doctoral-programmes for more information on eligibility requirements. If you already have a study right for a doctoral degree at Tampere University, it needs to be awarded 1 November 2023 or thereafter in order for you to be eligible for these positions.

The position requires working full-time in Tampere, Finland for the time of the employment. The chosen candidate needs to have the required permits for working in Finland before starting the employment (depending on the nationality of the candidate, e.g. residence permit in Finland). The position requires fluent written and spoken skills in English.

The research projects are: 

Project 1: Theory of many-body physics in quantum devices

Traditionally, many-body systems studied in physics are found in naturally occurring or man-made materials. Today, the whole concept of “material” can be generalized to include virtual materials that only exist within a simulation in quantum devices and quantum computers. In contrast to the traditional materials, the properties digital quantum materials are flexibly tuned and probed. In fact, the present and near-future quantum devices offer one of the richest and most exciting realizations of quantum materials, exhibiting massive quantum entanglement between their constituents. In this project, we theoretically study novel many-body phenomena which has been recently discovered in quantum computing platforms. In particular, the project focusses on entanglement phase transitions, measurement-induced dynamics and preparation of exotic states of matter. The project combines advanced theoretical and numerical methods. For more information, contact Prof. Teemu Ojanen ([email protected] )

Project 2: Quantum information aspects of many-body systems

Effective simulation of correlated quantum systems is, in general, intractable for traditional computers. The root cause of the difficulty is the exponentially scaling of computational resources in the system size. While there exist many powerful algorithms that can circumvent the exponential bottleneck, it is widely believed that only simulations with quantum hardware can efficiently accommodate the complexity of many-body systems. In this project we study theoretically the underlying quantum information patterns of many-body systems and quantify the complexity of physically relevant many-body systems. Besides popular partition entanglement entropies, there exists alternative measures to characterize different aspects of the complexity and multiparticle entanglement in a many-body state. These can be employed to shed light on the possibilities and limitations of quantum simulation and quantum information processing. The project combines advanced theoretical and numerical methods. For more information, contact Prof. Teemu Ojanen ([email protected] )

Project 3: Towards quantum accuracy in multiscale modelling of defects in ferromagnets

Crystalline ferromagnetic materials typically have a disordered microstructure due to the presence of various lattice defects such as dislocations, grain boundaries, vacancies and solute atoms which crucially affect the properties of the material. Many key magnetization processes such as domain wall motion that are of both theoretical and practical importance depend on details of the interaction between the magnetic degrees of freedom and structural defects of the material. Yet, accurately modelling the effects of the microstructure in larger-scale computational models such as micromagnetic simulations remains an outstanding problem. In this PhD project, a new multiscale modelling framework will be developed where the atomic scale magnetic properties as induced by defects are extracted using accurate quantum mechanical density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The resulting information is then fed to larger-scale semi-classical micromagnetic simulations, making it possible to simulate disordered magnets at the micron scale with near-quantum accuracy. For more information, contact Prof. Lasse Laurson ([email protected] )

Project 4: Branched flow and quantum scarring in two-dimensional systems

Two-dimensional (2D) electronic systems show fascinating physical phenomena and have novel applications in next-generation quantum electronics. Examples of such systems contain, for example, different semiconductor devices, superlattices and heterostructures, quantum wells and dots, quantum Hall systems, topological insulators, as well as graphene and other layered materials.  Recent studies have revealed that depending on the material and the energy scale, electrons in 2D systems may show complex branched flow resembling tsunami waves, quantum scarring with regular trajectories among chaos, or abrupt and anomalous diffusion properties. These novel phenomena are not yet well understood nor exploited in realistic experimental settings including disorder or other perturbations. In this project we examine these phenomena with comprehensive classical and quantum simulations. Alongside physical understanding, our goal is to develop a transport scheme, where electronic motion in two-dimensional systems can be controlled at will, even in the presence of disorder. For more information, contact Prof. Esa Räsänen ([email protected] ).

Project 5: Modelling surface chemistry and defects in quantum devices

Semiconductor device manufacturing and engineering is approaching single-atom precision. Here, a deterministic and repeatable placement of substituent atoms opens new opportunities for quantum materials and devices where the engineered solid-state dopant lattices exhibit characteristic (tunable) electronic band structures and topological states. This enables manufacturing large-scale artificial atomic arrays of dopant atoms in silicon which will provide building blocks (qubits) for emerging quantum information technologies. In practice, the manufacturing process involves a hydrogen terminated surface [e.g. Si(001)] where dopants (e.g. As) can be selectively placed prior encapsulation. The purpose of this PhD project work is to provide theoretical insight for the atomistic phenomena which take place during the manufacturing process, and especially, the role of hydrogen and defects. For this purpose, we shall perform DFT simulations of surfaces, interfaces and defects to simulate hydrogen formation energetics and migration paths. For more information, contact Prof. Jaakko Akola ([email protected] )

The projects are carried out at Computational Physics Laboratory in the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences at Tampere University. Tampere University is a unique, multidisciplinary and boldly forward-looking, evolving community. Our values are openness, diversity, responsibility, courage, critical thinking, erudition/ Bildung, and learner-centredness. We hope that you can embrace these values and promote them in your work.

The selection criteria

Candidates are selected based on the level of promise that they show, and this will be evaluated on the basis of their study and research plans, their previous success in studies, and scientific publishing.

We offer

The position will be filled for a fixed-term period of three years. The starting date is 1 August 2024 (or, if mutually agreed, 1 January 2025). A trial period of six (6) months applies to all our new employees.

The salary will be based on both the job requirements and the employee’s personal performance in accordance with the salary system of Finnish universities. According to the criteria applied to teaching and research staff, the position of a Doctoral Researcher is placed on level 2—4 of the job requirements scale. A typical starting salary for Doctoral Researchers is approximately 2,600-2,900 EUR/month. The salary increases based on experience and the progress of doctoral studies.

We are inviting you to be a part of a vibrant, active and truly international research community. We value interdisciplinarity, as it allows you to expand your research network and exposes you to new perspectives and ideas to solve complex research problems and pursue novel research findings. We are strongly committed to the highest level of scientific research and the provision of high-quality doctoral education. 

As a member of staff at Tampere University, you will enjoy a range of competitive benefits, such as occupational health care services, flexible work schedule, versatile research infrastructure, modern teaching facilities and a safe and inviting campus area, a variety of affordable cafeterias/ campus restaurants on our campuses as well as a personal fund to spend on sports and cultural activities in your free time. Please read more about working at Tampere University . You can also find more information about us and working and living Tampere by watching our video: Tampere Higher Education Community - our academic playground .  

Finland is among the most stable, free and safest countries in the world, based on prominent ratings by various agencies. Finland is one of the world's best countries to work and live in. 

Tampere is the largest inland city of Finland, and the city is counted among the major academic hubs in the Nordic countries. Tampere region is the most rapidly growing urban area in Finland and home to a vibrant knowledge-intensive entrepreneurial community. The city is an industrial powerhouse that enjoys a rich cultural scene and a reputation as a centre of Finland’s information society. Tampere is also surrounded by vivid nature with forests and lakes, providing countless opportunities for easy-to-access outdoor adventures and refreshment throughout the year. 

We will offer you relocation service package from an external service provider to help you settle in Tampere.

Read more about Finland and Tampere: 

• Visit Finland
• This is Finland
• Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment: Welcome to Finland
• Visit Tampere
• Welcome to Tampere
• International House Tampere

How to apply

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system . The closing date for applications is 17 April 2024 (23:59 EEST / UTC +3). Please write your application and all the accompanying documentation in English and attach them in PDF format.

Please attach only the following documents to your application:

• A letter of motivation and description of your research interests (max. 2 page(s))
• Curriculum vitae according to the TENK template  (including the contact details of two referees).
• A list of publications (if any) as a part of the curriculum vitae
• PDF copy of your MSc and BSc degree certificates, including transcripts of all university records and their English translations (Finnish and Swedish certificates are also accepted). 

Please indicate which projects you are applying to, or if you apply to multiple projects, indicate your preferred priority.

For further information, please contact:

Projects 1 and 2: Prof. Teemu Ojanen, [email protected] , 

Project 3: Prof. Lasse Laurson, [email protected] ,

Project 4: Prof. Esa Räsänen, [email protected]

Project 5: Prof. Jaakko Akola, [email protected]

Requirements
Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

TAMPERE UNIVERSITY

Country

Finland

City

Tampere

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/unijobs/listing/367804/doctoral-researcher…

Contact

City

Tampere

STATUS: EXPIRED