PhD Student Positions in Theoretical Physics

Umeå University - with its 29,000 students and over 4,000 employees - is an organisation in constant change and development.The university's researchers carry out excellence within several areas of research, and many of them are among the world's elite.We are one of Sweden's largest providers of education and offer a broad and attractive range of courses and programmes.Our campus constitutes an inspiring environment for everyone that studies and works here.We wish to co-operate with companies and organisations throughout the Umeå region and all over the world.PhD Student Positions in Theoretical Physics The department of Physics has a staff of approximately 90 persons, 12 professors, 28 with a PhD degree, roughly 35 PhD students, a technical/administrative staff of about ten and some temporarily employed positions such as post docs.The main task for the department is research, education in research and undergraduate teaching.The department has active research in areas such as optical physics, condensed matter physics, plasma and space physics, and theoretical physics.We are looking for a number of exceptional PhD students to work in the field of theoretical physics within the Department of Physics at Umeå University.These are full-time positions over a period of four years, where opportunity for part-time teaching may be offered.The positions are planned to be filled by March 2009, and is part of the European Research Council project Quantum Plasmas and the Quantum Vacuum.The students are expected to do theoretical and/or numerical studies of atomic systems, plasmas, and nonlinear laser-plasma interactions, to develop analytical and/or numerical schemes for analyzing collective interactions, and be part of setting up experimental proposals in the above mentioned fields.In particular, the effects of strong fields available in current and next-generation high-intensity laser systems will be of interest, as well as current developments in laboratory plasmas.Moreover, theoretical studies of dense and/or low-temperature plasmas with or without magnetic fields, such that certain quantum effects become pronounced, will be a central part of this project.The development of numerical codes can be done during this project, and if so it is expected that most of the ensuing studies will be carried out on available super-computing facilities.For the case of numerical code development, the successful candidates should preferably have experience in parallel codes, in particular based on quantum models, kinetic models, and particle-in-cell models.Moreover, the candidates should have a strong record in theoretical physics.Prerequisities include 240 ECTS-credits or equivalent higher education studies, of which 120 ECTS-credits or equivalent in physics.The application should include a description of past research accomplishments, curriculum vitae, and names of references, all in three copies.