Postdoc in the field of Materials science

Skilled and committed employees are a crucial factor in the success of Linköping University. And we need more of them. Our core expertise comes from teachers and researchers, but a successful university requires experienced and motivated employees in many fields. Everyone is important. We need to recruit many new employees thanks to, among all, an expansion in our research activity. We need you here. We look forward to receiving your application!

The Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology conducts research and offers education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Research, the predominant activity, is often done in collaboration with corporate and international partners. We are one of the university’s largest, oldest and most well known departments, encompassing five interacting scientific fields: biology, chemistry, material physics, applied physics and theory and modelling.
Read more at https://liu.se/en/organisation/liu/ifm

We are now looking to appoint a postdoc in the field of Materials science, with focus on high-thoughput theoretical simulations of laminated materials.

Work assignments
The project for which we are now looking for new staff concerns fundamental research within material physics, primarily theory and modelling of atomically laminated materials. We will use open data bases and high-throughput simulations to explore a wide range of known and hypothetical 3D compounds, and theoretically investigate their potential for conversion into novel 2D materials. This will be achieved by construction of databases and systematic evaluation of the theoretical exfoliation potential of the 3D parent materials. The project will also involve aspects of AI.

We have a strong track record in the discovery of new MXenes, and we now intend to explore new 2D materials, beyond MXenes. The post doc will perform theoretical calculations and simulations of 3D/2D materials by DFT, also including methods based on AI, for identification of ground state crystal structure and composition. The materials in focus are known and hypothetical phases, including multinary alloys in the form of solid solutions and chemically ordered structures.

The materials will be evaluated with respect to theoretical exfoliation potential and fundamental and application-inspired materials properties (stability, electronic properties, etc.) The latter may also include properties required for energy storage and energy conversion.

The position is part of a large research project, and the post doc will be part of an international team (> 20 people), with extensive theoretical and experimental activities connected to novel 3D/2D/1D materials.

As postdoc, you will principally carry out research. A certain amount of teaching may be part of your duties, up to a maximum of 20% of working hours.

The workplace
You will be employed in the Materials Design division at the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM). The division is divided in three research units; Materials theory, Applied electrochemistry, and Thin films and nanolaminated materials. The post doc will be active in the Materials theory unit, but will collaborate closely with the other units.

Qualifications
To be qualified to take employment as postdoc, you must have been awarded a doctoral degree or have a foreign degree that is deemed to be equivalent to a doctoral degree.  This degree must have been awarded at the latest by the point at which LiU makes its decision to employ you.

It is considered advantageous if your doctoral degree is no older than three years at application deadline for this job. If there are special reasons for having an older doctoral degree – such as taking statutory leave – then these may be taken into consideration.

We are seeking applicants who have a doctoral degree in Material physics/chemistry or similar. The applicant must have extensive experience from theoretical (first principles) simulations of materials, as well as use of methods related to AI, for search of low energy structures or specific materials properties. Documented excellent skills in writing (publications in scientific journals of high reputation) and excellent skills in communication (English) is a requirement.

You should also be engaged and have a positive attitude towards working in a team. You are efficient and goal oriented.

About this job
This post is a temporary contract of two years with the possibility of extension up to a total maximum of three years. The position as a postdoc is full-time.

Starting date
By agreement.

Salary and employment benefits
Salaries at the university are set individually. State your desired salary in the application.

More information about employee benefits is available here.

Trade union representatives
Information about trade union contacts can be found here.

Application procedure
Apply for this position by clicking on the button labelled “Apply” below. Your application must reach Linköping University no later than 6 December 2022.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. 


We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives - diversity enriches our work and helps us grow. Preserving everybody's equal value, rights and opportunities is a natural part of who we are. Read more about our work with: Equal opportunities.

We look forward to receiving your application!


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