Research Associate - Theoretical Chemistry/Theoretical Materials Science (Fixed Term)

Department/Location: Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance. 

Applications are invited for a post-doctoral research associate to join the group of Professor Angelos Michaelides at the Department of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge (https://www.ch.cam.ac.uk/group/michaelides). 

The project will involve the development and application of approaches for treating complex intermolecular interactions in the condensed phase and at surfaces, with a particular emphasis on the development and application of first principles and/or machine learning approaches.

Research in the Michaelides group involves computer simulations of catalytic and environmental interfaces, aiming at reaching fundamental new understanding of elementary processes at such interfaces. As part of our work, we also seek to develop and improve current simulation methods (quantum and classical) to study such systems.

The overarching aim of the post-doctoral position is to develop and apply computational approaches that enable an accurate description of complex condensed phase systems. Topics of interest are molecular adsorption, molecular crystals, 2D materials, and nano-confinement.  The project builds upon recent work in the group (see e.g. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 145 (46), 25372 (2023), Nature 609, 512 (2022); ACS Nano 16, 10775 (2022); Science 372, 1444 (2021); Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 118 (38), e2110077118 (2021)) and will be carried out in collaboration with experimental groups in ENS Paris and the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Mainz.

Day to day, the project will involve development and application of a range of theoretical and simulation approaches. This will include, but is not limited to: electronic structure methods (density functional theory and "beyond"), classical atomistic, and machine learning methods. The duties/responsibilities of this post include developing and driving research objectives, writing up work for presentation and publication, collaborating with experimental partners, assisting in the supervision of student research projects, and delivering seminars and occasional talks.

The successful candidate will have a strong background in the treatment of complex materials interface systems with electronic structure and/or machine learning methods, including (or be about to obtain) a PhD in a relevant area. Experience in high-level electronic structure theory such as coupled cluster or diffusion Monte Carlo is highly desirable, as is a track-record of successful collaborative work.

We particularly welcome applicants from women and / or candidates from a BME background for these vacancies as they are currently under-represented at this level in our department/institution/School/University. 

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click on the apply button above.

Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV), a covering letter describing your suitability for the position, and a full list of your publications in the upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents that have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

For queries regarding applying online for this post, please contact Professor Angelos Michaelides (email: am452@cam.ac.uk)

Please quote reference MA42185 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The Department holds an Athena SWAN silver award for women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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