Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Computational Quantum Physics

Location: Department of Physics, Clarendon Laboratory, Parks Road, Oxford

Salary: Grade 7: £33,309 -£40,927 per annum

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Computational Quantum Physics.

The post is available initially for a fixed-term duration of up to 4 years subject to funding.

This role will be to provide theoretical and computational support to our project focused on developing novel spectroscopic techniques in high energy density physics, and fielding them in dynamic compression experiments at x-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) facilities. Using these and related techniques, we aim to measure the electronic structure of extreme states of quantum plasmas for the first time, and understand how they evolve under material compression and phase transformation. For a flavour of the work we do, some recently published related work using resonant inelastic scattering can be found here: https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.125.195001

The successful candidate will work within the wider research group and lead our efforts on the theoretical and computational aspects of the project, including running and developing predictive simulations (density functional theory, molecular dynamics, atomic kinetics, etc.) and deploying modern data analysis approaches leveraging various aspects of machine learning and differentiable programming. The candidate will endeavour to connect these theoretical and computational results with the experimental measurements obtained within the wider research group and collaboration.

The post-holder will have the opportunity to teach.

Applicants should hold a PhD, or be close to completion, in physics or a related field, and have a strong background in computational quantum physics, ideally in areas pertaining to electronic structure modelling.

Previous experience in the computational modelling of x-ray interactions with matter at high densities, or in using density functional theory, will be an advantage.

Candidates are expected to demonstrate the ability to work independently on cutting-edge research projects, to communicate their research, objectives, and interests effectively, and to work well within a larger international research environment.

Please direct enquiries about the role to Dr Sam Vinko. ([email protected] )

Only applications received before midday (UK time) 7 June 2022 can be considered. You will be required to upload a statement of research interests, full academic CV and details of two referees as part of your online application. 

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