Van der Waals Heterostructures:

Towards Electronics and Optoelectronics Applications

Applications are invited for a fully funded EPSRC PhD position to work under the supervision of Dr. Elton Santos at the Atomistic Simulation Center (ASC), Queen’s University Belfast, UK (http://titus.phy.qub.ac.uk/). Dr. Santos has recently moved from Stanford University and SLAC National Laboratory to a joint faculty position between the School of Mathematics and Physics and the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.

The computational research will focus on new emergent physical and chemical phenomena in two-dimensional (2D) atomic layer heterostructures. The recent interest in graphene and other van der Waals materials (e.g. MoS2, WS2, etc.) has opened an avenue of interesting physics and chemistry associated with their unusual electronic structure. These thin, lightweight, bendable, highly rugged materials could bring dramatic changes to information processing and communications, with applications in conformal displays, wearable computers (e.g. Apple watch), and smart environments in terms human-electronic integration (e.g. touchscreens).

This project includes i) the design and development of low-dimensional material platforms using controlled search for assembling of atomically thin structures; ii) Explore different types of physics and chemistry driven by quantum coherent electronic states that can be used in optoelectronic devices; iii) Investigation of new phase transition phenomena due to the emergent orders driven by externals parameters (e.g. electric bias, temperature, etc.); and iv) applications based on novel functionalities. Group members will benefit from a vibrant scientific environment at the ASC, close collaboration with experimental and theoretical groups at top-notch international groups at Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, UC Berkeley, ETH Zurich and Arizona State University. The stipend is very competitive (cost of living in Belfast is amongst the lowest in the UK with a quality of live that is top 2 in the nation, according to Quality of Life Index), and we offer outstanding computational facilities.

The applicants should have a university degree in physics, chemistry or equivalent, experience in coding and performing electronic structure calculations as well as good level of English. Imaginative and highly motivated candidates from the UK or that have been UK residents for the past 3 years are encouraged to apply. The position is available from September 2015. The initial studentship stipend is £13,863 (British Pounds) per year, tax free.

To apply please send an application cover letter explaining briefly your motivation and interest in this position, a CV including the transcript of your undergraduate degree, and name and e-mail address of two academic referees.

Enquires and applications should be directed to Dr Elton Santos ([email protected]) or Prof. Jorge Kohanoff ([email protected]). Applications submitted by May 8^th 2015 will receive full consideration.