Postdoctoral Position in First Principles Calculations of Materials at Extreme Conditions, State University of New York at Buffalo, USA

Postdoctoral positions are available in the group of Eva Zurek (https://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~ezurek/) to theoretically study high energy density quantum matter, as well as the behavior of matter at the extreme conditions within which most of the visible matter in the universe resides. The latter will be carried out as part of The Center for Matter at Atomic Pressures (CMAP), which is a newly funded National Science Foundation Physics Frontier Center (https://www.rochester.edu/cmap/). The postdoctoral fellows will carry out first-principles calculations to predict novel superconducting, planetary and quantum materials, as well as their revolutionary properties, and collaborate closely with leading experimentalists in static and dynamic compression.

The project can entail one (or a combination) of the following:

• development and/or application of algorithms for crystal structure prediction
• first-principles molecular dynamics simulations of matter at conditions of extreme temperatures and pressures
• studies of the chemical bonding and properties of compressed matter

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. The initial contract will be for one year, with a possible extension upon mutual agreement.

A PhD in computational chemistry, solid state physics, materials science, or a closely related area is required. I am looking for a creative individual whose strength lies in the application of periodic and molecular program packages (first principles, DFT and others). Good communication and writing skills in English are required.

If you wish to apply for the position please email your resume to [email protected]. If it appears that we have compatible research interests I will subsequently ask you to arrange for two letters of recommendation from current and former research supervisors to be emailed to me.