PhD candidate in Theoretical Chemical Physics

The University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character. The University was founded in 2003 and counts more than 6,700 students and more than 2,000 employees from around the world. The University’s faculties and interdisciplinary centres focus on research in the areas of Computer Science and ICT Security, Materials Science, European and International Law, Finance and Financial Innovation, Education, Contemporary and Digital History. In addition, the University focuses on cross-disciplinary research in the areas of Data Modelling and Simulation as well as Health and System Biomedicine. Times Higher Education ranks the University of Luxembourg #3 worldwide for its “international outlook,” #20 in the Young University Ranking 2021 and among the top 250 universities worldwide.

Within the University, the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) is a highly interdisciplinary research centre (IC), integrating experimental biology and computational biology approaches in order to develop the foundation of a future predictive, preventive and personalized medicine.

A PhD position is available in the Theoretical Chemical Physics (TCP, http://www.tcpunilu.com ) group,

led by Prof. Alexandre Tkatchenko in the Physics and Materials Science Department (DPhyMS) at the University of Luxembourg (https://wwwen.uni.lu/research/fstm/dphyms ).

The successful candidate will join a strong and highly-motivated research team with an excellent funding track-record in competitive national, international and European grants, including European Research Council Consolidator Grant “Beyond Static Molecules: Modeling Quantum Fluctuations in Complex Molecular Environments”.

The scientific topics of research range from machine learning approaches for describing molecular potential-energy surfaces, development of improved quantum methods for the description of non-covalent interactions, path-integral approaches to dynamics of molecular systems, and synergies between these methods to interpret puzzling experimental observations and predict new phenomena in complex molecular systems.

The PhD work will concentrate on developing the path-integral formalism to large molecular systems beyond the Born-Oppenheimer approximation. Originally introduced by Feynman, the path-integral approach has led to a variety of different techniques with diverse applications in physics and chemistry. This project includes a path-integral description of the Molecular Aharonov-Bohm effect caused by the fact that nuclei undergo a vector potential related to the geometric phase of electronic states (especially, due to conical intersections of the potential energy surfaces). The PhD student will learn various aspects considering the problem from different points of view (related to math, physics, and chemistry) as well as its connection to other topics (like the exchange interaction between indistinguishable particles and non-Abelian electromagnetism or Yang-Mills theory). 

The position is open to strong applicants with backgrounds in physics, mathematics, computer science, and/or multidisciplinary background.

We offer competitive salary and attractive working environment in one of the most enjoyable European cities ( http://www.euraxess.lu  ).

• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 48 Month
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
• Location: Limpertsberg
• Internal Title: Doctoral Researcher
• Job Reference: UOL04942

The yearly gross salary for every PhD at the UL is EUR 38.028,96 (full time)

Applications should be submitted online and include:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover letter

Early application is highly encouraged, as the applications will be processed upon reception. Please apply formally through the HR system. Applications by email will not be considered.

The University of Luxembourg embraces inclusion and diversity as key values. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff.

• Multilingual and international character. Modern institution with a personal atmosphere. Staff coming from 90 countries. Member of the “University of the Greater Region” (UniGR). 
• A modern and dynamic university. High-quality equipment. Close ties to the business world and to the Luxembourg labour market. A unique urban site with excellent infrastructure.
• A partner for society and industry. Cooperation with European institutions, innovative companies, the Financial Centre and with numerous non-academic partners such as ministries, local governments, associations, NGOs …