Researcher in Ab Initio Modelling of Materials

DepartmentDeposition of Thin films and Nanostructures  – Faculty of Science
Deadline 15 Mar 2021
Start date by agreement

E-APPLICATION

Bursar of the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University announces an open competition for the position Researcher in Ab Initio Modelling of Materials

Workplace: Department of Physical Electronics, Deposition of Thin Films and Nanostructures group, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic

Type of Contract: temporary position with 1-year contract with possible prolongation for another years, non-academic

Working Hours: 1 FTE (full-time employment of 40 hours per week)

Expected Start Date: 1.7.2021 or negotiable with respect to immigration timelines for non-EU candidates

Number of Open Positions: 1                                               

Pay: CZK 35 000

Application Deadline: 15 March 2021                                   

EU Researcher Profile : R2/R3

About the Workplace

Masaryk University  is the second-largest university in the Czech Republic with 10 faculties, more than 5000 staff, and more than 30 000 students. As a comprehensive research-intensive university with a strong international standing, our mission is to pursue top-quality research and education.

Faculty of Science  MU, a proud holder of the HR Excellence in Research Award  by the European Commission, is a research-oriented faculty, offering university education (Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degree programs) closely linked to both primary and applied research and high school teaching of the following sciences: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Earth sciences. We are the most productive scientific unit of the Masaryk University generating around 40 % of MU research results.

Department of Physical Electronics at the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University provides courses and guarantees fundamental and applied research in the fields on plasma physics, plasma applications, and nanotechnology. It has a tradition of more than 50 years. The R&D Centre for Low-cost Plasma and Nanotechnology Surface Modifications CEPLANT  was established in 2010 as part of the Department of Physical Electronics and was funded by the European Structural Funds and has been recognized by the European Union as a Key Enabling Technologies (KET's) centre.

Job Description

The researcher will work at the the PVDlab  that is a part of the CEPLANT centre. The job is to perform ab-initio calculation of structure, mechanical and optical properties of compound materials, which are experimentally prepared by other members of the group. The materials are for example high entropy alloys, different oxides, ternary nitrides and other materials. The researcher will contribute to the fundamental understanding of the properties of deposited thin film materials from the theoretical point of view. His theoretical calculations are also expected to suggest new coating system with promising properties to be synthetized. Experience with optical characterization of the thin films is welcome, as the researcher may be asked to be responsible for optical characterization of thin films in the group. 

Key Duties:

• Ab initio calculations of structure, mechanical and optical properties and core electron binding energy shifts of oxides, nitrides and other compound materials
• To publish the research outputs
• To propose and develop new areas of research within the research group

Skills and Qualifications

The applicant must have:

• PhD.  Degree in Physics, Materials Chemistry, Engineering or in nearby scientific fields
• experience in ab-initio calculations of thin film properties
• good communication skills (oral and written) in English
• publication record in peer-reviewed journals

The applicant should have:

• a strong motivation for research and the ability to contribute with creative ideas; readiness to work independently as well as in a group, to collaborate with scientists from other research groups and/or universities; and the ability to co-manage a group of students
• experience with optical characterization of thin films (not mandatory, but welcomed)

Informal inquiries about the position can be sent to prof. Petr Vašina – email vasina@physics.muni.cz , phone 00420 549 49 1446.

We Offer

• International workplace with a motivated team of researchers and students
• Access to modern deposition and analysis techniques
• Worldwide contacts with specialised measurement equipment
• An interesting job in a dynamically-expanding university area
• Above-average wage (average wage in Czech Republic is 34 000, median wage is 29 000 CZK)
• Flexible working hours and occasional home office to support personal needs in family and career
• Employee benefits such as 6 weeks of paid vacation per year, pension insurance contribution, contribution to lunches in canteens of MU or meal vouchers, discounted language courses, discount in the university cinema, exclusive mobile tariff offer by Vodafone
• Opportunity to work and live in a modern and dynamic city

(for more information on costs of living, you can refer to Numbeo )

Application Process

The application shall be submitted online by 15.3. 2021 via an e-application (Please, use the link in the e-Application section below).

The candidate shall provide following:

• CV and Cover letter describing candidate's research interest and experience
• Summary of research outputs and publications
• Names and contact details of at least 2 references.

After submitting your application successfully, you will receive an automatic confirmation email from jobs.muni.cz .

Selection Process

Received applications will be considered carefully in line with principles of the EU Charter and Code for Researchers . Selection criteria: (i) meeting qualification requirements described above, (ii) all required documents provided.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a personal or Skype interview.

The Faculty Recruitment Policy (OTM-R) can be seen here .

Faculty of Science, Masaryk University is an equal opportunity employer. We support diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

We are looking forward to hearing from you!