Postdoctoral Fellow in molecular-dynamics simulations of clay for sustainable stable ground

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We have a vacancy for a Postdoctoral Fellow in molecular-dynamics simulations of non-ideal superlubric contacts of 2D materials, in the Materials Group at Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering.

We are looking for you with a background in non-equilibrium molecular-dynamics, ideally, but not necessarily, with experience in surface science or nano-scale friction. The position is part of the Large Scale Interdisciplinary project on Sustainable Stable Ground (Bærekraftig Grunn). This project is concerned with understanding and stabilising quick clay deposits. Quick clay is a type of marine clay deposit that over time can become weaker and under sufficient pressure suddenly liquify. There have been a number of accidents in Norway as a result. Stabilisation, for example for building roads, is usually done using cement, which has a high carbon footprint. This project aims to reducing this carbon footprint. The project involves scientists from a wide range of backgrounds, including structural engineering, civil and environmental engineering, physics, and chemistry, experimental as well as theoretical.

The goal of the position is to investigate and understand the contacts between individual clay particles under load and sliding, and model the effect of ions and their transport in clay structures. 

The simulations will be combined with experiments performed in the physics department and at PoreLab, and will be supported by quantum chemistry calculations.

The position is organized at the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering  in close collaboration with the Center of Excellence PoreLab. PoreLab is an interdisciplinary center with joint efforts in theory, computer simulations and experiments, both in fundamental and in more applied directions. The center works to advance the understanding of porous media by developing theories, principles, tools and methods to replace ad hoc approaches to porous media with a fundamental understanding of porous media with relevance in biology, chemistry, geology and geophysics based on fluid mechanics, non-equilibrium thermodynamics and statistical mechanics.  Further information about PoreLab can be found here: https://porelab.no/.

The postdoctoral fellowship position is a temporary position where the main goal is to qualify for work in senior academic positions. 

Your immediate leader is Professor.