One postdoctoral position is immediately available in the Yong-Hoon Kim group at the School of Electrical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea. Candidates with strong backgrounds in density functional theory (DFT) and beyond DFT calculations and interest in method developments are encouraged to apply by sending their CV, including a publication list and other relevant materials, via email at yhkimlab(a)kaist.ac.kr. 

Job Description:

The main objectives are broadly to further develop the multi-space DFT (MS-DFT) formalism we recently established and to apply it to the simulation of next-generation (opto)electronic and energy devices in nonequilibrium conditions [1-4]. MS-DFT is established by replacing the Landauer picture by the ansatz of mapping the finite-bias quantum electron transport process to the drain-to-source optical excitation counterpart and carrying out a multi-space constrained-search procedure. Computing the nonequilibrium junction electronic structure fully within the scope of DFT, MS-DFT can provide several advantages over the standard DFT-based nonequilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) approach. The successful candidate will work on both the methodological extensions of MS-DFT (e.g. combination with time-dependent DFT, orbital-dependent exchange-correlation functionals, multi-scale simulation methods, etc.) and their applications to low-dimensional nanodevices (e.g. 2D heterojunction transistors, nano-bio sensors, electro/photocatalysts, etc.), and the specific research themes will be determined based on the background and interest of applicants.

[1] T. H. Kim, J. Lee, R.-G. Lee, & YHK, “Gate- versus defect-induced voltage drop and negative differential resistance in vertical graphene heterostructures”, npj Comput. Mater. 8, 50 (2022).

[2] J. Lee,  H. Yeo, & YHK, “Quasi-Fermi level splitting in nanoscale junctions from ab initio”, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 201921273 (2020).

[3] J. Lee, H. S. Kim, & YHK, “Multi-space excitation as an alternative to the Landauer picture for nonequilibrium quantum transport”, Adv. Sci. 7, 2001038 (2020).

[4] H. S. Kim, & YHK, “Constrained-search density functional study of quantum transport in two-dimensional vertical heterostructures”, arXiv:1808.03608 [cond-mat.mes-hall] (2018).

Qualification Requirements:

Qualified applicants should have

+ a Ph.D. in physics, chemistry, materials science, electrical engineering, or a related discipline received within the past five years or within the next six months

+ in-depth experience in (beyond) DFT and/or multiscale simulations

+ interest (and preferably experience) in scientific computing

+ ability to work both independently and in a collaborative environment

+ strong communication skills evidenced by first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals

Selection and hiring process

1. The initial selection will be made based on the review of the applicant’s CV and subsequent online interview.

2. Once selected, the applicant should formulate a detailed research plan (refer to the above Job Description) by consulting us and apply to the 2022 Brain Pool (BP) Program of the National Research Foundation (NRF) of Korea. The prestigious NRF BP program provides a competitive salary (min. 5 million KRW/month) as well as invitation expenses (airfare, insurance premiums, child education subsidies, etc.) and subsidies for assistant staff (max. 5 million KRW/yr) up to 3 years. The 2022 NRF BP program application deadline is August 31, 2022. For other details, please refer to the BP program announcement.

3. If the NRF BP program application turns out to be unsuccessful, the applicant will be hired using the lab funds. In this case, the initial appointment is one year and will be renewable for multiple years upon mutual agreement. The initial salary will be determined based on the qualification of the candidate (min. 3 million KRW/month).