A 12-month post-doc position is available starting from October 2015. The candidate will work with Fabio Pietrucci, A. Marco Saitta and François Guyot at the Institute of Mineralogy, Physics of Materials and Cosmochemistry (IMPMC) (http://www.impmc.upmc.fr) of the Université Pierre et Marie Curie in central Paris. The successful candidate must hold a PhD in Chemistry/Physics/Materials Science or related disciplines with a strong background in physical chemistry and statistical mechanics. An expertise in computer simulations and atomic-scale modelling of chemical or biochemical activated processes is required, together with computer programming skills. Previous experience in free energy calculation / transition path sampling approaches is highly desirable. The net salary will be close to 25,000 Eur/year. According to University's regulations eligible candidates must have received their PhD after October 2010.

The candidate will apply and further develop advanced sampling techniques based on ab initio molecular dynamics and graph theory-inspired reaction coordinates. The aim is the systematic reconstruction of the thermodynamics and kinetics of prebiotic chemical reaction networks in gas phase as well as in solution. The candidate will work in close collaboration with the project's team leaders. At the same time, he/she must be able to interact in an effective way with a broader collaboration network including leading theoretical and experimental scientists in the fields of physical chemistry and the origins of life. IMPMC is an internationally recognized multidisciplinary laboratory that groups together physicists, biologists and mineralogists with the mission of understanding the structure and transformations of matter on Earth and beyond, also in connection with microorganisms. Recent publications of the team include several articles in Phys. Rev. Lett., J. Am. Chem. Soc., Nature Materials, and PNAS.

Applicants should send a detailed CV to: [email protected]