One postdoc position on “Theory of Electron Transport in Planar Atomic and Molecular Scale Devices” available at CFM/DIPC in San Sebastian for a period of two years starting on January 2017.

Funding comes from the “Planar Atomic and Molecular Scale devices” (PAMS) European project, recently funded within the FP7-ICT-2013-10 call for a period of 1 year, and from the Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC) for an additional period of 1 year. The PAMS consortium consists of eight partners from six different countries including experts on the synthesis, fabrication, characterization and simulation of molecular electronic devices. The team at CFM/DIPC (http://dipc.ehu.es, http://cfm.ehu.es) in San Sebastian (Spain) is lead by Dr. Daniel Sánchez-Portal, Dr. Thomas Frederiksen and Dr. Aran García-Lekue. The selected candidate will work in close collaboration with these researchers, as well as with postdocs and students working in the project or in related areas.

This theoretical project aims at the description of electron transport properties in planar molecular devices on semiconducting and insulting substrates. The work consists of two part, on the one hand, the postdoc will collaborate in the development of order-N strategies to perform quantum transport simulations for large systems, as well as finite-bias self-consistent calculations of planar multi-terminal devices with the tranSIESTA methodology. On the other hand, the postdoc will apply these methods to the systems studied by our experimental partners. In particular, among other systems, we will explore the potential of clean and metal doped dangling-bond wires on Si(001) and Ge(001) substrates to fabricate atomic-scale circuits and contact organic molecules. The role of polaronic effects and electron-electron interactions in transport through such wires will be also addressed. We will also explore different strategies to design molecular logic gates with a planar geometry.

Candidates should hold a PhD in theoretical or computational physics and have a strong background in electronic structure and quantum transport simulations. The contract will run for an initial period of 1 year, with the possibility of an extension for 1 additional year upon agreement of both parties.

The planned starting date is January 2017. Applications should consist of a cover letter, scientific CV, publication list and the names of at least two referees. Applications should be submitted to: [email protected]. This call is open until the position is filled.