postdoc quantum chemistry and artificial intelligence

YOUR TASKS

You will work on a chemistry problem that appears in the design of a next generation nuclear fission reactor that will be built at the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (MYRRHA). Volatile molecules of heavy elements form in the reactor, and need to be filtered. Efficient filter design would benefit from knowing which molecules will be formed. Given the heavy elements that are part of these, relativistic effects and strong electron correlations at a post-Hartree-Fock level must be taken into account. This makes it unfeasible to do detailed geometry optimizations for molecules with more than 2-4 atoms. Therefore, you will design a workflow based on artificial intelligence to run calculations with the accuracy of post-Hartree-Fock at a speed comparable to DFT.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• You hold a thesis-based doctorate Physics, Chemistry, Engineering Physics, Physical Chemistry, Chemical Physics, or a related field.
• You are familiar with materials chemistry and/or inorganic molecular chemistry.
• You feel comfortable operating density functional theory codes (e.g. VASP) and/or quantum chemistry codes (e.g. Molcas) – ideally both.
• You have an understanding of artificial intelligence methods, and can apply them creatively in order to solve problems in computational chemistry.
• You know how to work on a high performance computing system
• You have a working knowledge of programming in Python.
• You can work independently while communicating efficiently with a team.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer you a contract of definite duration for the period of 1 year. Depending on the availability of funding and upon mutual satisfaction, this can be extended with at most one additional year.
• Your contract can start as soon as the selection procedure and - if applicable - visa procedures have been finished.
• Your remuneration will be determined by salary scale PD1 to PD4 (if you hold a doctorate).  Click here for more information about our salary scales.
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits (in Dutch).

INTERESTED?

Apply online through the e-recruitment system before the application deadline (March 6). We do not accept late applications or applications that are not submitted through the online system.

Your application must include the following documents:

• In the field ‘CV’: your CV and an overview of your study results (merged into one pdf file)
• In the field ‘Cover letter’: your application letter in pdf format. Please indicate why you apply for this specific position.
• In the field ‘Diploma’: a transcript of the required degree (if already in your possession). If you have a foreign diploma in a language other than our national languages (Dutch, French or German) or English, please add a translation in one of the mentioned languages.
• In the field “other documents”: not mandatory yet strongly encouraged: a link to a short video (max 3 minutes) in which you explain a scientific concept of your choice. A simple recording via your smartphone is sufficient. Either put the video on a repository (Youtube, Vimeo,…) or put the file on a shared drive (Onedrive, Google Drive). Provide a document with the url where we can watch or download it.

Note that the maximum file size for each field is 10 MB.

As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Stefaan Cottenier ([email protected], +32 498 23 58 04). Important: do NOT send your application by email, but apply online.

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 8,000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With its 11 faculties and more than 80 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.