Postdoctoral position in electronic/optical properties from DFT

Department of Physics at Chalmers - home of the Graphene Flagship
Stimulated by major needs and challenges in science and a sustainable society, the ambition of the department of Physics is to foster a creative environment for academic research, learning and outreach. We provide a competitive advantage by linking our top-level international and interdisciplinary academic performance in the areas of material science, nanotechnology and energy research with world-leading industrial R&D&I projects. We address a wide array of experimental, computational, methodological and theoretical challenges, from fundamental physics research, through the development of new materials such as graphene to direct industrial projects generating new inventions. We have a strong learning commitment on all levels from undergraduate to PhD studies where physics meet engineering.

The department is the major part of Gothenburg Physics Centre – a collaboration between four departments at Chalmers and Gothenburg University.

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Information about the research project
We are looking for a highly motivated postdoc who will investigate electronic/optical properties of polymer-metal nanoparticle hybrid materials for nanoplasmonic gas sensing by means of first-principles methods.

The project will be part of a larger research program that involves four other research groups at the Chemistry and Physics Departments of Chalmers (K. Moth-Poulsen, C. Müller, P. Erhart, C. Langhammer). The overall goal of the project "Plastic Plasmonics" is to establish efficient and scalable synthesis and processing routes of nanoparticle-polymer hybrid materials and to understand the polymer-metal interface's role in plasmonic gas sensing applications. These efforts are to culminate in prototype gas sensing devices based on the developed plastic plasmonic materials.

Information about the research group
The Chemical Physics Division at the Department of Physics operates at the interface between materials science, nanoscience, catalysis, nanoplasmonics and in situ spectroscopy, with a particular focus on the development of sustainable energy systems. Themes include, for instance, alternative fuel production, emission control, energy storage, and fuel cells. The research is interdisciplinary with strong connections between fundamental and applied science. Chemical Physics Division is a dynamic and international environment that strives for scientific excellence through teamwork and joint experimental and theoretical efforts.

The theoretical activities at Chemical Physics focus on electronic structure calculations within the density functional theory together with mean-field modeling and Monte-Carlo simulations for reaction kinetics.  Theoretical spectroscopy is used together with experimental observations to unravel fundamental reaction mechanisms and processes. Now we intensify our efforts towards the development and assessment of new plasmonic materials for optical gas sensing for integration in sensor devices.

And the home page of the Chemical Physics Division:
http://www.chalmers.se/en/departments/physics/research/chemicalphysics/

Major responsibilities
Your major responsibility as postdoc is to perform your own research at Chemical Physics, and to collaborate with experimental efforts at Chalmers. The position is meritorious for future research duties within academia as well as industry/the public sector.

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

Qualifications
Necessary qualifications for the postdoctoral position are:

(1) PhD in Computational Physics/Chemistry/Materials Science.
(2) Documented experience of density functional theory calculations.
(3) Skills in scripting and programming are mandatory.
(4) A solid background in quantum mechanics, solid-state theory and thermodynamics is required.
(5) The candidate has to be able to work independently and have good skills in communicating scientific results in written and spoken English.

The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in English.

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 20160307 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically via Chalmers webpage.

Application deadline: 15 September 2016

For questions, please contact:
Associate professor Anders Hellman,
Chemical Physics, Physics,
anders.hellman@chalmers.se,
+46723869804

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