One postdoctoral researcher position is available immediately in the School of Physics and the CRANN Institute (www.crann.tcd.ie) at Trinity College Dublin (Ireland). Sponsored by Science Foundation Ireland and Analog Devices (www.analog.com) the project establishes collaboration between the Computational Spintronics Group (www.spincomp.com), headed by Prof. Sanvito, and Analog Devices, and is strongly connected to the experimental activity at CRANN and the AMBER research centre (ambercentre.ie). The project will include methodological algorithm development and materials science. The position is tenable for 18 months with a possible extension depending on funding.

The position will be part of a project aiming at modelling sensors made of giant magneto-resistance (GMR) and/or tunnel magneto-resistance (TMR) units. The candidate will develop a theory for spin transport in real devices. This will combine a Boltzmann description of the electron transport in metals with ab initio electronic structures computed at the level of density functional theory (DFT). Scattering amplitudes at the interfaces between different metals and transport coefficients across the tunnel barriers will be computed with the DFT non-equilibrium Green function method, as implemented in the Dublin code, Smeagol (www.smeagol.tcd.ie). The project will maintain a close collaboration with experimental group of Prof.Plamen Stamenov at Trinity College, who will measure transport in the sensors manufactured by Analog. The candidate will be based at Trinity College Dublin and frequent visits to the Analog Irish headquarter in Limerick are expected.

Essential/Desirable Criteria
Strong overall motivation and a keen interest in theory and computation, as well as in interdisciplinary work between physics and materials science. Previous experience in UNIX/Linux environment and with programming. Ability to work independently and also function as an active and efficient team player. Good writing skills. Previous knowledge of density functional theory and/or electron transport methods will be essential. Experience with magnetism and magnetic materials will be considered as an advantage.

How to apply?
Applications must include a cover letter detailing how you meet the selection criteria for the post, together with a CV and the name and contact details of at least two referees (e-mail address). Informal inquiring and applications should be sent to:

Prof. S.Sanvito (Trinity College Dublin, [email protected])

Information about the research group can be found at: http://www.spincomp.com. The position will be open until filled.

Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to the employment policies, procedures and practices which do not discriminate on grounds such as gender, civil status, family status, age, disability, race, religious belief, sexual orientation or membership of the travelling community.

Trinity College Dublin
Trinity College Dublin is Ireland’s university on the world stage. Recognized for its transformative research and education conducted at the frontiers of disciplines, Trinity is ranked 61st in the world by the QS World University Rankings 2013. Spread across 47 acres in Dublin’s city centre, Trinity has a 17,000-strong student body, 3,000 staff and over 100,000 alumni around the world. Of the student body, 16% come from outside Ireland and, of those, 40% are from outside the European Union, making Trinity’s campus cosmopolitan and bustling, with a focus on diversity. Trinity has developed significant strength in a broad range of research areas, including the 21 broadly based multi-disciplinary thematic research areas. See http://www.tcd.ie/research/themes.

CRANN
CRANN, the Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices (www.tcd.ie/crann), is Ireland’s first purpose-built research institute. CRANN is focused on delivering world-class research and innovation through extensive proactive collaborations with industry and is committed to attracting and training graduate students to the highest international standards. CRANN works at the frontiers of nanoscience developing new knowledge of nanoscale materials, with a particular focus on new device and sensor technologies for ICT, the biotechnology and medical technology sectors and a growing interest in energy related research. The institute employs a team of over 300 researchers from 45 different countries, led by 30 principal investigators, each of whom is an internationally recognized expert in their field of research,
which include physics, chemistry, medicine, biochemistry and immunology, engineering and pharmacy. Since its inception in 2003, CRANN has greatly assisted in radically transforming Ireland’s international reputation for research. A Thomson Reuters report in late 2010 placed Ireland 8th globally for materials science research based on citations per publication for the decade 2000-2010. CRANN researchers were responsible for > 70% of the outputs leading to this national ranking. In Nanotechnology, Ireland’s global ranking is sixth in terms of both the quality of its publications and the volume output per capita.

AMBER
AMBER (Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research - ambercentre.ie) is a world-leading SFI Research Centre funded by Science Foundation Ireland, hosted by Trinity College Dublin which provides a partnership between leading researchers in materials science and industry to develop new materials and devices for a range of sectors, particularly the ICT, medical devices and industrial technology sectors. Working in collaboration with CRANN (Trinity’s Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices), the Trinity Centre for Bioengineering and with University College Cork and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.