Postdoctoral position in time dependent density functional theory

Are you interested in working with the latest theoretical developments for ultrafast laser control of materials in a world leading ERC funded network, with the support of competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Are you looking for an employer that invests in sustainable employeeship and offers safe, favourable working conditions? We welcome you to apply for a postdoctoral position within the FASTCORR network at The Division of Materials Theory at the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Uppsala University.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy is one of Uppsala University's largest departments. The department is located in the Ångström laboratory and employs around 400 people, around 100 of whom are Ph.D. students. The department conducts world-class research and education in both theoretical and experimental physics and has extensive collaboration with the outside world. Read more at https://www.uu.se/en/department/physics-and-astronomy. 

The project will be carried out within the ERC Synergy funded network FASTCORR, wich apart from Uppsala University has nodes in Hamburg University (DE) and Radboud University (NL). The local environment as well as the network offers excellent possibilities to interact with competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment.

Project description

As a member of the FASTCORR project, you will work with first-principles theory aiming at understanding and predicting non-equilibrium physics of light-matter interaction and ultrafast dynamics at the femtosecond and sub-femtosecond timescales. The project is carried out in close collaboration with world leading experimental groups using pump-probe measurements. To understand the origin of measured observables enables us to address fundamental questions of materials science as well as improve our theoretical models. This post-doc project is aimed at using and developing time-dependent density functional based methods to address non-equilibrium physics where e.g. electronic, magnetic and structural degrees of freedom are strongly coupled. 

Duties

The successful applicant will develop and apply theoretical methods for simulating laser-induced non-equilibrium dynamics in material, with an emphasis on time-dependent density functional theory. The project involves interaction with colleagues working in experimental groups, on phenomenological models as well as first-principles tools for correlated and magnetic materials.  The successful candidate will work for up to 2 years within the project.  In addition to research, participation in the supervision of doctoral students, master's students and project students, as well as communication of research results through scientific articles in well-established scientific journals and presentations at international conferences, are important aspects of the employment.

Requirements
PhD degree in Physics with specialization in condensed matter or similar, or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD degree in Physics (condensed matter). The degree needs to be obtained by the time of the decision of employment. Those who have obtained a PhD degree three years prior to the application deadline are primarily considered for the employment. The starting point of the three-year frame period is the application deadline. Due to special circumstances, the degree may have been obtained earlier. The three-year period can be extended due to circumstances such as sick leave, parental leave, duties in labour unions, etc.

Further requirements:

• Strong background in theoretical electronic structure and magnetism/lattice dynamics
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English (written and oral)
• Experience with ab-initio electronic structure methods for solid states physics
• Experience with high-performance computing
• Ability to work independently and well organized
• Ability to work in a team of international collaborators

Additional qualifications

• Experience with out-of-equilibrium physics
• Knowledge of time-dependent density functional theory
• Excellent programming skills (e.g., Python, C++ or Fortran)

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position of two years according to central collective agreement. Full time position. Starting date as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: 

Oscar Grånäs, +46 70 167 9797, oscar.granas@physics.uu.se

Olle Eriksson, +46 18 471 3625, olle.eriksson@physics.uu.se

Please submit your application by 22 May 2025, UFV-PA 2025/1102.

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