The research group of Prof. Jun Cheng at Xiamen University, China is looking to fill 2-3 postdoctoral research associate (PDRA) positions. The successful candidates are expected to carry out research in one of the following areas:
1. To develop method/theory to calculate proton/electron transfer reactions at electrochemical interfaces.
2. To develop density functional theory (DFT) based multi-scale approaches to simulate electrochemical processes at interfaces.
3. To develop machine learning models to predict catalytic properties of materials.

The candidates are required to have a PhD degree in chemistry, physics, material sciences or related areas. Experience on electronic structure theories (DFT and beyond), computational simulations of solids, sampling methods (molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo) or machine learning methods is preferred.

The gross salary is RMB 200,000 (roughly 27,000 euros) per annum, and there is an incentive mechanism in place in the Department with an extra 20% top-up after successful performance review. The University provides accommodation for PDRAs at a much lower rate than the market price. Other benefits (e.g. pension, insurance and housing fund) will be offered according to the university policies. The positions are available for two years at the initial instance, with the possibility of extension based on mutual agreement.

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 positions are 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).

The Cheng research group enjoys close interactions with other groups in the Department, and the proposed projects will benefit from the support from PCOSS and 2011-iChem. Information on the group research can be found at the previous group website: https://sites.google.com/site/chengjunw/home/research, and some recent publications are as follows,
1. Cheng, et al. Acc. Chem. Res. 2014, 47, 3522.
2. Cheng, et al. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, 53, 12046.
3. Cheng, et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 2016, 116, 086402.