We offer 2 postdoc positions, 1 at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE) and 1 at the University of Trieste (UNITS), Italy. The postdoc will work under the supervision of Marco Gibertini (UNIMORE) and Antimo Marrazzo (UNITS) on first-principles simulations of novel 2D magnetic materials and magnetic/semiconducting van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures. 

The project focuses on spin-valley locking arising either from spin-orbit coupling or from a recently discovered interplay between exchange interactions and crystal fields, aiming at identifying promising materials platforms for spin-valleytronics, addressing in particular the pressing need to achieve a full electrical control of the locked spin and valley degrees of freedom. Materials candidates and their combinations will be identified by data-mining and high-throughput calculations, eventually validated against many-body effects. The range of possible applications will be investigated by multiscale device simulations that we plan to accelerate by developing innovative formulations based on Wannier functions.

The positions are funded by the Italian PRIN project “Simultaneous electrical control of spin and valley polarization in van der Waals magnetic materials”; the contract is up to two years, starting in early 2024 at the latest..

Scientific environment 

Both in Modena or Trieste, the post-doc will be part of a stimulating and interdisciplinary environment, with a strong tradition in electronic structure theory and simulations, aiming at the development of advanced computational algorithms, methods, and their applications for condensed-matter and nano-systems. 

Modena combines academics at UNIMORE and scientists at the CNR-NANO National Research Laboratory, covering a vast range of research topics: from quantum sciences and technologies, to graphene and 2D materials, topological and excitonic insulators, battery materials, nano energy-conversion systems, plasmonics, functional surfaces and nanostructured systems, physics of bio (nano) systems, and nano-tribology. 

The city of Trieste has the highest density of researchers per population in Europe (37 every 1000 inhabitants). Scientists at UNITS strongly benefit from the close proximity of several research institutions such as ICTP, SISSA, and materials foundry (CNR-IOM), which facilitates scientific exchange and collaborative work not only among theorists but also with leading experimental groups including the local synchrotron (ELETTRA) and free-electron laser (FERMI). 

Qualification 

Candidates are sought with passion and commitment to the field and with strong motivation and commensurate academic record. Expertise in the development and application of first-principles techniques is required. The ideal candidate has a robust and documented expertise in the use of electronic-structure simulation software (e.g. Quantum ESPRESSO, Yambo) at the DFT and GW level, including the exploitation of HPC infrastructures and materials’ informatics (e.g. AiiDA). Previous experience with 2D materials, Green’s function theory, DFT+U and magnetism is considered a plus. 

Expression of interest
We strongly encourage interested candidates to send an expression of interest to positions.theomat AT gmail _DOT_ com for the position in Modena and to positions.cmts.df.units AT gmail _DOT_ com for the position in Trieste. The deadline for expression of interests is October 1st, the position will be closed as soon as suitable candidates are found. Applicants should include: 

- a detailed CV containing a list of publications and a detailed description of both scientific and computational background, 

- motivation letter (max 1 page),

- the name and email address of at least one person (two is better) who might be contacted for a reference letter.