Ph.d student in theoretical condensed matter physics/nanophysics

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Field of subject for the appointment

Physics – Theoretical condensed matter physics/nanophysics

The condensed-matter group (http://lnu.se/cmp) in the Department of Physics and Electrical Engineering at Linnaeus University invites applications for a Ph.D. student in theoretical condensed matter physics. The successful applicant will work in a very active research environment, with a long tradition of national and international collaborations in front edge areas of condensed matter physics/nanophysics, such as nanomagnetism and nanospintronics, molecular electronics, quantum computation, strongly correlated electron systems and topological phases of matter. The Department of physics and electrical engineering at Linnaeus University has about 25 employees Linnaeus University has an international profile and several programs and courses in physics are taught in English both at the undergraduate and at the graduate level.

 

Job description

The research area of the Ph.D. position deals with theoretical studies of Dirac’s materials such as topological insulators and graphene. Possible projects include i. Spintronics at the atomic scale in magnetically-doped topological insulator surfaces, ii. Electronic, thermal and spin transport in topological insulator nanostructures such as nanowires and nanoribbons. The projects will involve both analytical investigations of quantum mechanical models, and the development and the use of advanced computational methods (based both on atomistic tight-binding models and first-principle approaches) to address realistic properties of these quantum materials. The research will be carried out partly in close collaboration with experimental groups investigating the physical systems studied theoretically.

The total time of employment may not exceed four years’ full-time Ph.D.-studies but may be extended up to 5 years for additional work involving teaching and/or administration duties. However, before a doctoral degree has been awarded, duties of this kind may not comprise more than 20% of a full-time post. The employment is supposed to start in the fall of 2016. The position is located in Kalmar, Sweden.

 

Entry requirements

A person fulfills the general entry requirements if he/she


• Has been awarded a university degree in physics at the second-cycle level, namely a Master degree in physics, within the 3+2 Bologna scheme.
• Has completed a university degree that guarantees a knowledge of physics equivalent to the one obtained from second-cycle (Master) level. See above.
• Specific requirement
• Excellent knowledge of English, written and spoken.

 

Assessment criteria

The selection of the candidate will be based upon grades on courses completed, quality of thesis (and relevant papers written), references, a written test, and an interview. In addition to a broad general knowledge of physics including electromagnetism, statistical physics, quantum mechanics and computational physics, it is also desirable that the applicant has a good background in theoretical condensed matter physics, preferably with a thesis relevant to the proposed research areas. Master theses containing elements of original research, and research papers are considered meritorious. Documented skills (both analytical and computational), experience in programming (using Fortran, C, Python) and in the use of other mathematical software such as Mathematica and Matlab are also considered meritorious. Experience of first-principles techniques in condensed matter physics based on density functional theory is viewed to be particularly valuable for the position.

 

Informatinon about the appliction

The application (in English) should be submitted electronically using the link below no later than the 20 August 2016

https://lnu.se/en/meet-linnaeus-university/work-at-the-university/

 

For more information, including questions concerning the position and the application, please contact

Professor Carlo Maria Canali +46 480–446995, carlo.canali@lnu.se

Personnel consultant +46 470-708212, ase.nilsson@lnu.se


Linnaeus University has the ambition to utilize the qualities that an even gender distribution and diversity brings to the organization.

Please apply by clicking on the "Apply" button at the bottom of the ad. Applicants are requested to the application resolving CV, cover letter , a copy of a relevant essay , grades and certificates and other relevant documents. The applicant also requested to submit with their application a proposed research plan within the current area of research. All documents must be attached to digital in the application. The application and other documents shall be marked with the reference number. All documents cited must be received by the University no later than 24.00 on the closing day.