We announce the opening of a PhD position in theoretical physics, shared between the Theory
group of Laboratoire Ondes et Matière d'Aquitaine (LOMA) from Bordeaux University and French
CNRS, and the Theory and Simulation group of Nanoelectronics at the Donostia International Physics
Center (DIPC) in San Sebastian, Spain.

The PhD student will have the opportunity to work in a collaborative and international environment, on
an emergent research topic at the crossroads of molecular electronics, quantum transport, and
nanomechanics. The project will be co-supervised by Fabio Pistolesi and Rémi Avriller from the
Bordeaux University and Thomas Frederiksen from DIPC.

In this PhD project, we plan to develop new theoretical and numerical tools to characterize and better
understand electronic transport in nanoelectronic devices. The candidate will explore the rich physics
underlying the coupling between the electronic current (electrons transmitted across a nano-device) and
collective modes of atomic vibrations of the junction (phonons): this interaction leads to energy
dissipation, heating of the junction, mechanical instabilities, and finally to the breakdown of the device.
A global understanding of the dynamical aspects of this coupling is still lacking.

The PhD candidate will have the opportunity to learn and develop a combination of model calculations
based on the use of nonequilibrium Green's functions (NEGF) and atomistic simulations based on
density functional theory (DFT). He/she will develop new spectroscopic tools to gain information about
the electronic structure, electron-phonon couplings, and heating effects of actual devices. We also aim
at studying current-induced mechanical instabilities and self-oscillations with the goal to open new
perspectives for the design and control of atomic dynamics in nanoelectronics.

We are seeking motivated candidates with a MSc degree in physics or related disciplines for the
position, ideally with a strong background in condensed-matter and statistical physics as well as
quantum mechanics. Candidates should preferentially have a taste for both analytical and numerical
calculations, as well as good communication skills and English knowledge. The total duration of the
thesis is 36 months. Mobility is required as the candidate will spend 18 months in each institution. The
starting date is between 1 October and 15 December, 2016.

Interested candidates are invited to inquire more detailed information and to submit a CV, a motivation
letter, and eventual reference letter(s) to one of the following researchers: Fabio Pistolesi
([email protected]), Rémi Avriller ([email protected]) and Thomas
Frederiksen ([email protected]).

The deadline for applications is 10 June 2016.