In the Department 'Atomistic Modelling and Simulation' at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Advanced Materials Simulation (ICAMS, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany) two positions for PhD students (3 years) or Postdoctoral Researchers (2 years) are immediately available in atomistic simulations of single-crystal superalloys. The design and optimisation of these materials is crucial to increase the efficiency of gas turbines for aviation and power generation. The projects are embedded in the collaborative research center SFB/TR103 'From atoms to turbine blades - Scientific foundations for a new generation of single crystal superalloys' (www.sfb-transregio103.de). The projects will involve close collaborations with the consortium partners at the Ruhr University Bochum, the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, the MPI for Iron Research in Düsseldorf, the German Aerospace Center in Cologne, and the Forschungszentrum Jülich.

Project 1: The successful candidate (m/f/d) will perform large-scale atomistic simulations of phase stability and extended defects in Ni-based and Co-based superalloys. The goal of this project is to understand the interplay of local chemical composition and microstructure by applying a hierarchy of electronic structure methods from density functional theory to tight binding and bond order potentials.

Project 2: The successful candidate (m/f/d) will perform atomistic simulations of fundamental diffusion processes in Ni-based superalloys. The goal of this project is to understand the influence of the local chemical environment and structural complexity on the mobility and distribution of alloying elements by applying electronic structure calculations together with statistical methods to model the kinetics.

We expect a Master/PhD degree with focus on computational solid state physics, chemistry, materials science, or related disciplines (e.g. mathematics or computer science), strong programming skills or ability to quickly learn them from advanced practice, curiosity and motivation to work in an interdisciplinary environment on the application of quantum mechanical methods for the modelling of real materials, as well as good oral and written communication skills in English.

Qualified candidates are asked to submit their CV together with a list of publications, and the contact information of up to three references. Please indicate which of the two projects you primarily apply for. Please e-mail only plain text or pdf-files and quote 'Position SFB/TR103' in the subject header. 

Applications should be send to [email protected]. The application period closes January 31, 2020.

ICAMS is an international research center at the Ruhr University Bochum which focuses on the development and application of a new generation of simulation tools for multi-scale materials modelling. The Ruhr University Bochum is one of the leading research universities. The university draws its strengths from both the diversity and the proximity of scientific and engineering disciplines on a single, coherent campus. This highly dynamic setting enables students and researchers to work across traditional boundaries of academic subjects and faculties. 

At Ruhr University Bochum, we wish to promote the careers of women in areas in which they are underrepresented, and we would therefore like to encourage female candidates to send us their applications. Applications by suitable candidates with severe disabilities and other applicants with equal legal status are likewise most welcome.