PhD position in Theoretical Attosecond Science and Electronic Structure Research at ETH Zurich

Deadline for applications: 2017-12-10

Applications are invited for a PhD position (3-4 years) in the Ambizione research project “Exact Factorization Approach to the Dynamics of Molecules in Strong Laser Fields” lead by Dr. Axel Schild at the Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, ETH Zurich. The possible starting date is between 2018-01-01 and 2018-05-01.

The project is based on a novel approach to describe the time-dependent electronic structure of a many-electron system as an effective single-electron problem, the “Exact Electron Factorization” (EEF). The EEF is to be applied to the attosecond dynamics of molecules in intense laser fields, with the aim of overcoming the limitations of the workhorse of attosecond science, the single-active electron approximation.

During the PhD research, low-dimensional model systems are numerically and analytically studied to understand how the many-electron dynamics is represented in the EEF, and how to find feasible approximations for simulations of molecules in strong laser fields. The model systems are selected to describe phenomena of experimental interest, hence a collaboration with the experimental attosecond science group of Hans Jakob Wörner is also possible.

Required:

• creativity and scientific curiosity

• strong affinity for fundamental research

• excellent Master of Science in chemistry, physics, or a comparable field

• fluent oral and written communication in English

Advantageous:

• knowledge of electronic structure methods and quantum dynamics

• programming skills (Fortran, C, Python, . . . )

• knowledge of UNIX-based operating systems

Please send applications containing your CV, statement of interest, and if applicable your thesis and published scientific work to Axel Schild ([email protected]).

Literature:

https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.118.163202

https://arxiv.org/abs/1701.02285