We offer a post-doc position at the Department of Physics, Computer Science and Mathematics of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy, to work under the supervision of Prof Marco Gibertini 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 position is 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.

Scientific environment
The post-doc will be part of a stimulating and interdisciplinary environment that combines academics at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia 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. Significant efforts are devoted to the development of advanced computational algorithms and methods for condensed-matter and nano-systems, from density-functional theory to many-body perturbation theory, with particular emphasis on high-throughput materials discovery and excited-state phenomena.

Qualifications
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 . Applicants should include a detailed CV containing a list of publications and a detailed description of both scientific and computational background, a motivation letter (max 1 page) and the name and email address of at least one person who might be contacted for a reference letter. Candidates who already applied for this position will be automatically considered and do not need to send a further expression of interest. To gain full consideration, expressions should be sent by November 7th, 2023.

University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
The University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE), founded in 1175, is among the oldest universities in the world. UNIMORE, with roughly 27’000 students, is large enough to offer all the facilities one would expect from a major university but small enough to retain a personal and friendly learning environment. UNIMORE is located in two cities with the highest quality of living standards in Italy, in a region with a strong technological vocation. Both Modena and Reggio Emilia are considered important cities of art and culture, and Modena's cathedral and main square are on the list of UNESCO's World Heritage sites.