The research group of Prof. Jun Cheng at Xiamen University, China is looking to fill a postdoctoral research associate (PDRA) position. The project is supported by the Sino-Germany Research Grant that presents joint efforts between the Xiamen group and the group of Prof. Karsten Reuter and Dr. Daniel Opalka at Technical University of Munich for developing multi-scale methods for simulating electrochemical interfaces. There will be mobility funds available to support short-term visits to the Munich group.

Requirements:

Applicants must have a Ph.D. in physics, chemistry, materials or a related field. Experience on electronic structure calculations (DFT and beyond), sampling methods (e.g. molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo), solid state calculation, and/or QM/MM is preferred. Good programming skill (Python, Fortran or C/C++), good written and oral communication skill in English, and the ability to work independently and cooperate with partners are required. 

Offer:                                                                                  

- The base gross salary is RMB 220,000 (roughly 28,000 euros) per annum, and there is an incentive mechanism (top-up of up to RMB 100,000), i.e. iChem Postdoc/Fellow, in place in the Department after successful performance review (chance for top-up is high). The University provides on-site accommodation for PDRAs at a much lower rate than the market price, and offers RMB 1000 per month for compensation if chosen to rent off-campus.

- Other benefits (e.g. pension, insurance and housing fund) will be offered according to the university policies, and the university has an affiliated nursery and school to provide good childcare and education for children.

- The positions are available for two years at the initial instance, with the possibility of extension based on mutual agreement.

How to apply:

The start date is immediate. Please send your CV, research statement (1 page) and contact information of 2 academic references, directly to Prof. Jun Cheng by email ( [email protected] ). The search is open until the position is filled. Informal inquiry can be made by contacting Prof. Cheng.

More information

The Xiamen City is a major city on the southeast coast of China, and routinely ranked among the top of “most suitable cities for living” in China. The main campus of Xiamen University is located at the southwestern corner of the Xiamen Island. Sitting at the foot of a mountain where the Xiamen’s Botanic Garden is located, surrounded by the Xiamen’s Bay with easy access to the beach by just crossing a road from the Baicheng gate of the University, adorned with Chinese traditional style buildings, tranquil lakes and tropical plants, Xiamen University is boasted by the Chinese netizen as the most beautiful campus in China.

The College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Xiamen has a strong research track record in many areas of chemical science and technology, with a particular emphasis on physical chemistry including electrochemistry, catalysis and theoretical chemistry. The College embraces two major national research platforms, the State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces (PCOSS) and the recently established Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (2011-iChem).

Information on the group research can be found at the group website: http://chengjun.xmu.edu.cn, and some recent publications are as follows,

Acc. Chem. Res. 2014, 47, 3522;

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, 53, 12046;

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, 53, 1934;

Phys. Rev. Lett. 2016, 116, 086402;

Phys. Rev. Lett. 2017, 119, 016801;

J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017, 139, 17747;

Nature Commun. 2018, 9, 1181.

Nature Catal. 2018, 1, 772.