A 24-month postdoctoral position (renewable up to 36 months) is open at the CNRS (Toulouse, France). The position is fully funded through the ANR project.

Subject description:

Modeling spin transport in heterostructures in the presence of spin-orbit coupling (SOC) presents different challenges on both conceptual and technical aspects. To date, most theoretical predictions have been achieved using model-like systems neglecting the orbital character of the conduction electrons, involving only a handful of bands and assuming a simplified version of SOC effects.

The project aims to develop an effective and predictive modeling platform around ab initio quantum transport, enabling simulations of realistic spintronic and spin-orbitronics devices. For that, we will develop new functionalities in the previously developed electron transport code based on nonequilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) formalism.

- We will implement new tools for quantifying and predicting spin-orbitronics properties in nanostructures.

- We will develop a large-scale ab initio quantum transport platform for spin-orbit transport properties in nanostructures containing topological spin structures such as skyrmions, anti-skyrmions, or bimerons.

Requirements

- Applicants should hold a Ph.D. degree in Physics, Materials Science, Nanosciences, or a closely related discipline, with a strong background in DFT and solid-state physics.

- Good programming skills (Fortran or/and Python) are mandatory.

- Experience in code development, quantum transport simulations based on NEGF, or SOC-related physics is considered an advantage.

What do we offer?

- A three-year working contract (ANR Funding secured)

- Supervision by Dongzhe Li (CNRS permanent researcher)

- Working in an innovative and exciting CEMES/CNRS institute (>60 permanent researchers)

- Strong collaborations with internationally recognized theory groups

Expected start date, duration, and net salary

- Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

- The position is renewable for up to three years.

- The net salary (take-home pay) is about 2250 – 3250 Euros/month, depending on the experience.

International collaborations

The project will be done in tight collaboration with the theory group at the CEA-Saclay (Cyrille Barreteau, Alexander Smogunov) and the quantum transport theory group at the Technical University of Denmark (Mads Brandbyge).

Application instructions

All applicants should send the following documents in a single PDF file to [email protected] with an email title of “Pdoc-CNRS”.

• Curriculum Vitae,
• A publication list,
• Cover letter,
• Two reference letters

Contact

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=-Nklb7cAAAAJ&hl=en

Recent publications of the PI on the topic

[1] Dongzhe Li*, J. Bertelsen, N. Papior, A. Smogunov, M. Brandbyge, “Surface states and related quantum interference in ab initio electron transport”, Phys. Rev. Research 3, 033017 (2021).

[2] Dongzhe Li*, S. Haldar, and S. Heinze, “Strain-Driven Zero-Field Near-10 nm Skyrmions in Two-Dimensional van der Waals Heterostructures”, Nano Letters 22, 7706-7713 (2022).