Ph.D. position in Quantum Matter Theory - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The research conducted at the Department of Physics and Astronomy encompasses a wide range of physics topics, distributed over ten divisions. The department is located in the Ångström laboratory and employs nearly 400 people, 125 of whom are doctoral students. It offers a broad physics curriculum to undergraduate and graduate students, participation in nationally and internationally leading projects for researchers, and opportunities for partnership with industry and various outreach activities. More information can be found on our website www.physics.uu.se

Duties/Project description
We are looking for a highly motivated and ambitious Ph.D. student in quantum condensed matter theory for a project on superconducting spintronics. The overall aim of the Ph.D. project is to theoretically explore and engineer enhanced and entirely new spintronics functionalities using superconducting hybrid structures. In spintronics, the electron spin instead of its charge is controlled and manipulated, which is both faster and more energy-efficient than today’s charge-based electronics. Superconducting spintronics both addresses the most problematic issues in spintronics and introduces entirely new quantum-based functionality. This project will focus on hybrid systems combining conventional superconductors with novel spin-orbit coupled materials, including topological insulators and Weyl semimetals, and also on high-temperature cuprate superconductors, which will enable dramatically higher operating temperatures. The project will involve both numerical and analytical work.

The division of Materials theory at Uppsala University offers a world-class environment for materials theory and quantum matter theory research, with interests spanning from strongly correlated and topological states of matter to atomistic spin simulations and first-principles calculations of a very broad range of functional materials. The division currently consists of approximately 90 researchers, of which about a third are Ph.D. students. The project will be carried out in the research groups of Annica Black-Schaffer and Jorge Cayao, which offer an excellent local research environment. For more information, please visit the group webpage: http://materials-theory.physics.uu.se/blackschaffer.

This recruitment is connected to the Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE, wise-materials.org). WISE, funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, is the largest-ever investment in materials science in Sweden and will encompass major efforts at Sweden’s foremost universities over the course of 10 years. The vision is a sustainable future through materials science. Read more: https://wise-materials.org.

All early-stage researchers recruited into the WISE program will be a part of the WISE Graduate School, https://wise-materials.org/research/graduate-school/, an ambitious nationwide program of seminars, courses, research visits, and other activities to promote a strong multi-disciplinary and international network between PhD students, postdocs, researchers, and industry.

The position as a Ph.D. student is limited to four years of full-time studies, consisting of research and coursework. Other duties at the department, related to teaching and administration, may extend the position at a level of most 20%. Further information is available at www.physics.uu.se.

Requirements
The applicant should hold a Master’s degree in physics, or equivalent, with a strong background in condensed matter theory or many-body theory.

Fluency in both spoken and written English is an absolute prerequisite.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through their experience and skills, can be considered to have the capability to succeed with Ph.D. studies.

Additional qualifications
Good programming skills are advantageous.

Application
The application should include a personal letter, explaining scientific interests and motivation for pursuing a Ph.D. degree, CV, and a verified list of course grades. If available, a Master’s thesis (finished or in draft form) can also be included. In addition, two letters of recommendation should be sent directly by the letter writer to jorge.cayao@physics.uu.se with the subject line “Letter of Recommendation, Ph.D. Position 2023”.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 1 June 2023 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: 

Annica Black-Schaffer, Ph: +46-(0)76-795 06 49, email: annica.black-schaffer@physics.uu.se

Jorge Cayao, Ph: +46-(0)76-555 04 83, Email: jorge.cayao@physics.uu.se  

Please submit your application by 15 February 2023, UFV-PA 2022/5057.

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