Applications are sought for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position and a PhD position at the University of Hamburg within the excellence cluster “Center of Ultrafast Imaging (CUI, http://www.cui.uni-hamburg.de/en/)”. The successful candidate will work in the group of Prof. Gabriel Bester, “Theory of nanoscopic systems” (http://www.chemie.uni-hamburg.de/pc/bester/index_e.html).

The candidate will carry out theoretical research in the field of nanoscale systems at the crossroads of physics, chemistry and biochemistry. Specific tasks will involve the development of ab-initio methods for electronic structure calculations for systems consisting of 10^4-10^5 atoms. The research focus will be the further development and application of our excited-state methods (a combination of DFT, semi-empirical quasiparticle correction and screened CI) for the calculation of excitonic/optical properties, for extended systems (see http://www.chemie.uni-hamburg.de/pc/publikationen/Bester.html for our latest publications). Application areas can includes excitonic effects in (i) point defects in semiconductors, (ii) quantum dots including their interaction with bio-molecules (iii) novel 2D systems. The choice of which will depend on the expertise of the successful candidate. The longer term goal is the treatment of dynamical properties of the excited states, that we will compare with results of the experimental CUI groups.

As a PostDoc candidate, you hold a Ph.D. in Condensed Matter Physics, Chemistry, BioChemistry or Material Science. Familiarity with large computational facilities, and expertise with programming are desirable. Experience of ab-initio techniques at the developer-level will constitute a large advantage. You will act as a sub-group leader and the ability to guide and collaborate with PhD students of the group is mandatory.

As a PhD candidate, you studied physics or chemistry (with focus theoretical chemistry) and obtained excellent grades from a leading university/institution. You are strongly motivated and carry a keen interest in theory and computation, as well as in interdisciplinary work between physics and chemistry. Previous experience in UNIX/Linux environment and with programming is desirable. Previous knowledge of density functional theory and/or electronic structure methods will be considered as an advantage.

You will be given the possibility to work in the active environment of the photon-sicence groups hosted on the DESY campus in Hamburg.

The PosDoc position should start as soon as possible, with a reasonable time frame of September/October 2015, and will be initially for 2 years with possibilities to be renewed.

The PhD position should start anytime earlier than November 2015.

Applications are accepted untill the respective position if filled. Each application should contain a CV with a list of publications, a cover letter, the name and contact information of at least two referees. For the PhD position, the candidate is kindly asked to provide an approximate ranking of her/his university in case it is a non EU or US institution.
Please send them via email to
Prof. Gabriel Bester, [email protected]

The university intends to increase the number of women amongst its academic personnel and expressly encourages qualified women to apply. In compliance with the Hamburg Equal Opportunity Law, preference will be given to female applicants with equal qualifications.