Postdoc Position in Enabling Quantum Chemistry on a Quantum Computer

Information about the project
The position will be mainly hosted by the quantum chemistry group of Martin Rahm at the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, and will involve close collaboration with experts in quantum technology and quantum chemistry in the group of Ivano Tavernelli at IBM Research in Switzerland. The project will also proceed in close collaboration with theoretical and experimental experts at the Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience at Chalmers.

About the research group
The host research group (www.rahmlab.com) is part of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Chalmers. Activities within this research group involves a broad range of methodologies, from structure search algorithms coupled to massively parallelized density functional theory calculations for predicting new materials, to ab initio calculation of properties, performance and detection characteristics, as well as quantum computation. We ask fundamental questions and are interested in chemically realistic in silico design of challenging new materials and the development of new conceptual methods for analyzing electronic structure.

About the Wallenberg Center for Quantum Technology - WACQT
The Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology (WACQT) is a 10-year initiative aimed to bring Swedish academia and industry to the forefront of Quantum Technology (QT). The four pillars of QT are: Quantum Computing, Quantum Simulation, Quantum Communication and Quantum Sensing. The centre is funded mainly by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundations with additional contributions from the participating universities and industry. At Chalmers, the focus will be to build a superconducting quantum computer/simulator and to explore useful applications of quantum computing/simulation. As a researcher in this project you will be closely interacting with Postdocs and PhD students in WACQT.

About the department of microtechnology and nanoscience (MC2)
MC2 houses a state-of-the-art Nanofabrication Laboratory cleanroom facility. At the Quantum Technology and Applied Quantum Physics laboratories we work on experimental and theoretical aspects of quantum information processing with superconducting electronics. By early 2022 we will have a transmon-based 20 qubit quantum processor available for software experimentation.

Major responsibilities
Development of novel quantum computing techniques for the investigation of chemical processes that show unfavorable scaling on classical computers such as the electronic structure problems of strongly correlated species, and chemical reactivity. Development of electronic structure analysis tools for chemistry studied on quantum computers.

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of two years (1+1).

Qualifications
To qualify for the position you must have a PhD in computational chemistry, computational physics or equivalent.  Your PhD degree should generally not be older than three years. You have experience of electronic structure calculations; good programming skills; Fluency in English, oral and written; interest and skills in working collaboratively as well as independently. Expertise in quantum information science and method development in quantum chemistry (coupled cluster, multi reference CI methods, or DFT) is an advantage. Swedish is not a requirement for this position, but if you have an interest in learning Swedish Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20210025 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:

CV: (Please name the document as: CV, Surname, Ref. number) including:
• CV, include complete list of publications
• Previous teaching and pedagogical experiences
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous research fields and main research results
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Attested copies of completed education, grades and other certificates.

Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. The files may be compressed (zipped).

Application deadline: 28 February, 2021

For questions, please contact:
Martin Rahm, Assistant professor, mail: martin.rahm@chalmers.se

Information about the department:
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering is the largest department at Chalmers and covers a large array of research from basic to applied. The fields of interest extend from DNA-research and biomaterials, solar cells and fuels, high temperature corrosion, and catalysis. The Department is heavily committed to teaching at the undergraduate, graduate, as well as postgraduate level in these areas. We have approximately 300 employees, divided into four research and one administrative division. We are situated at campus Johanneberg in the middle of Gothenburg. Our vision is “Through curiosity and knowledge towards a sustainable world”.

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***