Research Fellow in Computational Physics/Chemistry

About us

UCL is one of the world's top universities based in the heart of London. It is a modern, outward-looking institution. UCL's staff and former students have included 29 Nobel prizewinners. It is a truly international community: more than one-third of our student body – more than 35,000 strong – come from 150 countries and nearly one-third of staff are from outside the UK.

About the role

A post-doctoral research position is available in the research group of Professor Jochen Blumberger at University College London, Department of Physics and Astronomy. The project is funded by the UKRI Horizon Europe Funding guarantee for the ERC Advanced Grant project "EXCITING: New Horizons for Excited State Dynamics in Organic Electronic Materials: Better, Larger, Faster”.

The aim of EXCITING is to produce a step change in our fundamental understanding of electronically excited processes in molecular materials through the development of novel computational methodologies that are more accurate, predictive and applicable to significantly larger systems than existing approaches. The new knowledge will result in practical design rules guiding the discovery of novel optoelectronic and thermoelectric materials that have the potential to transform emerging energy conversion and quantum technologies. In the EXCITING project we would like to develop novel methodology and apply it to challenging problems in organic (opto-)electronics research.

The start date is flexible but is expected to be between 1 March 2025 and 1 May 2025.

This position is funded for 1 year in the first instance and can be renewed for a further 2 years pending positive evaluation in year 1. A second renewal of this position is possible for a further 2 years pending positive evaluation in year 3. The maximum duration of this post is 5 years.

About you

The successful applicant will have a PhD in computational physics or chemistry, or related disciplines. A strong background in computer code development (fortran, C++, or python) and excellent knowledge in molecular quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics and molecular simulation methods are essential. Strong interest in the simulation of exciton and/or charge transport dynamics in organic (opto-)electronic materials is expected. Knowledge of and first-hand experience with non-adiabatic molecular dynamics simulation techniques is very desirable.

The appointment will be at Grade 7 (£42,099 - £46,732 per annum, inclusive of London allowance), and is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be a Research Assistant Grade 6B (salary £37,332 - 39,980 per annum, inclusive of London Allowance) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer great benefits. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/rewards-and-benefits to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/

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