Job Availability
July 2012
Lecturer in the Centre for Theoretical Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics, School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen’s University Belfast (Ref. 12/102139) At least one and possibly more positions are available within the Centre for Theoretical Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics (CTAMOP). Successful candidates will be expected to undertake research in either Quantum Information Processing or Strong-Field AMO Physics, and to contribute to teaching in Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics. In addition, the successful candidate will be expected to undertake administrative duties as assigned.
Quantum Information Processing Theory. The current activities of the group working on Quantum Technologies in CTAMOP include the investigation of mesoscopic quantumness in open systems (ultracold atoms, quantum spin networks and mechanical systems at the quantum level), quantum control in hybrid systems, quantum thermodynamics and foundations of quantum mechanics, and the theory of quantum correlations. The group, whose current funding includes support from the UK EPSRC, the European Union, the Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung and the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, has an internationally leading profile and a vast network of collaborations with premier experimental and theoretical teams working in the fields of Quantum Information, Quantum Optics, and (Ultra)Cold Atom Physics.
Theory of Strong-Field Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics. Present research interests focus on gaining accurate multi-electron solutions of the time-dependent Schroedinger equation for few- and many-electron atoms in intense short-pulse laser fields. World-leading computational codes, developed within CTAMOP, include the HELIUM code for the helium atom in intense light fields, the R-matrix Floquet (RMF) codes for general atoms in long laser pulses and the R-matrix with Time dependence (RMT) code for general atoms in ultra-short light pulses. This ab-initio work effectively and efficiently harnesses the most powerful supercomputers available. This has made possible scientific discovery in advance of laboratory experiment and has led to a record of sustained funding by EPSRC and the European Union.
Candidates must have a Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics or related area and a high-quality publication record within one of the research areas indicated above. Candidates must have the ability to teach Applied Mathematics at all levels in English. It is desired that candidates have research interests which complement or enhance research activities within CTAMOP, and a record of successful grant applications. It is also desired that candidates have experience of teaching within higher education and a PGCHET and/or membership of an appropriate professional and/or teaching body such as the Higher Education Academy. Please indicate in your application for which research area you wish to be considered.
Informal enquiries may be directed to: Dr J F McCann, by e-mail or telephone +44 (0)28 9097 6041. Salary: £32,901-£48,246 per annum (including contribution points). Closing date: 4.00pm on Friday 31 August 2012. A generous start-up package will be available. Anticipated interview date: week commencing 1 October 2012. For further details and to apply, please visit and click on ‘Mathematics and Physics’ on the right-hand side. The lectureship in CTAMOP can be found in the list, reference no. 12/102139. Alternatively contact the Personnel Department, Queen’s University Belfast, BT7 1NN. Telephone (028) 90973044 FAX: (028) 90971040 or by e-mail. The University is committed to equality of opportunity and to selection on merit. It therefore welcomes applications from all sections of society and particularly welcomes applications from people with a disability.
February 2012
A post-doctoral research fellow position, based in the Department of Physics at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, is available for up to 3 years to work on theoretical studies of atomic collision processes of particular relevance to astrophysics. Topics include Breit-Pauli R-matrix and distorted-wave electron-impact excitation data for modelling observed emission lines over a wide range of wavelengths, and dielectronic recombination emissivities for studying abundance anomalies in Planetary Nebula. The project is funded by the UK Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and involves a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the University of Cambridge and University College London – The Atomic Processes for Astrophysical Plasmas (APAP) Network.
Candidates should have a strong background in theoretical atomic physics, ideally with experience of one of the major collision codes and associated large-scale computations. Candidates should have, or be about to obtain, a Ph.D. in theoretical and computational atomic physics. Salary is commensurate with experience, with that for a new Ph.D. starting at c.£29k. The position is available from April 1.
Informal enquiries can be made now to any of the APAP team with regards to the Science, all other queries to Nigel Badnell: Professor Nigel Badnell, Dr Helen Mason, Professor Pete Storey, Dr Giulio Del Zanna. Links of interest:http://www.phys.strath.ac.uk/, http://www.strath.ac.uk/, http://www.seeglasgow.com/
January 2012
Post Doctoral Research Associate in Computational Molecular Physics Department of Physical Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Open University, £27,578 – £35,938 depending on evidence of independent research. based in Milton Keynes, 16 month temporary contract. Department of Physics & Astronomy, University College, London £29,099 – £35,789 plus London Allowance if appropriate, based in London, 4 month temporary contract
An outstanding opportunity to join a team comprising researchers from The Open University and University College London at the forefront of developing ‘better high performance computing software for future science’. The aim of this project is to develop a set of high-quality, atomic and molecular HPC codes to address newly-emerging areas like atto-second science and biological radiation damage phenomena. The appointee will undertake the re-engineering of part of UKRmol, an electron-molecule scattering suite of codes. In order to perform studies with larger targets and treat more diffuse molecular states, the basis set currently employed to describe the continuum electron will have to be replaced (probably with B-splines). The implementation of new basis functions will require the re-programming of most of the integral evaluation. Therefore, strong numerical analysis and programming skills will be required. Applicants should hold a PhD in physics, chemistry, mathematics or related area, and must have strong skills in software development using Fortran 95. A background in computational chemistry or molecular physics is preferred. It is intended to appoint the same person to undertake both the PDRA roles consecutively commencing with the OU contract, noting that these will be separate employment contracts without any transfer of rights or continuity of employment between them. For detailed information and how to apply go to www3.open.ac.uk/employment, call the Recruitment Co-ordinator on 01908 653346 or by email quoting the reference number. Closing date: 13 February 2012. Interview date: 27 February 2012.
June 2010
Phys4Entry – Planetary integrated Models: a postdoctoral research associate post is available at UCL Department of Physics and Astronomy
Applications are invited for the above position to work with Prof Jonathan Tennyson as part of a newly funded EU project entitled Phys4Entry – Planetary Entry Integrated Models. The post will be involved in performing electron — molecule collision calculations using the R-matrix method with a particular focus emphasis collisional excitation of molecules that are important in the Martian atmosphere (CO, CN, CO2).
Informal enquiries can be made to Professor Jonathan Tennyson, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, Gower St, London WC1E 6BT, (telephone: (+44) 20 7679 7155). Further information and the application procedure may be found here.
The closing date for applications is Friday 9 July 2010.
May 2009
Post-doctoral Research Associate in Computational Molecular Physics, working with Dr Jimena Gorfinkiel, Department of Physics & Astronomy, The Open University: fixed term contract, 18 months, starting on 1 October 2009, deadline for applications: 22 May 2009. Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position in the Dept of Physics & Astronomy at The Open University. This is an outstanding opportunity to be part of a team comprising researchers from The Open University, Queen’s University Belfast, University College London and Daresbury Laboratory at the forefront of developing scientific software to best exploit high performance computing hardware and ensure “better HPC software for future science”. The aim of this project is to develop a set of high-quality, atomic and molecular HPC codes to address newly-emerging areas like atto-second science and biological radiation damage phenomena.
The appointee will undertake the re-engineering of the UK polyatomic R-matrix suite using modern programming constructs, extended Fortran 95 and MPI. The overall curation of the codes will be handled by collaborators at Daresbury Laboratory with whom the PDRA is expected to maintain close contact. The suite will be re-designed to run on Linux workstations as well as massively parallel machines. The PDRA will also be involved in the testing, verification and validation of the suite. Applicants should hold a PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics or a related area, and must have strong skills in software development using Fortran 95, preferably in a parallel environment. A background in Computational Chemistry or Molecular Physics is preferred. Detailed information and how to apply may be found here. If you wish to discuss this post informally, please contact Dr Jimena Gorfinkiel.
June 2007
Research Fellow (Reference: 07/W608B)
School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and School of Mathematics and Physics
Required for 18 months with effect from 1 October 2007, to assist in the development, object-oriented re-engineering, and numerical validation of the Fortran code 2DRMP. Developed at Queen’s University Belfast this numerical code is intended to enable virtual experiments to be performed on electron collisions with hydrogen and quasi one-electron atoms and ions using high performance computers.
Applicants must hold an honours degree or equivalent in computer science, mathematics or a related discipline and have a PhD involving research in computer science or a related computational science discipline. It is also essential that applicants have at least 3 years research experience in the development of numerical codes within a high performance computing environment; experience in the development and analysis of the 2DRMP code; experience in the use of Fortran, MPI and ScaLAPACK within a Unix environment and demonstrable familiarity with the concepts of object-oriented programming. Additional criteria will be available in the further particulars of the post.
Informal enquiries regarding this post may be directed to Dr Carol Phillips, Tel: 028 90974672 or e-mail: cx.phillips@qub.ac.uk
Commencing salary: £26,666 – £27,465 per annum,
Salary scale: £26,666 – £34,793 per annum (including contribution points)
*Closing date: 4.00 pm Friday 22 June 2007*
For further information and to download the application pack please visit http://www.qub.ac.uk/jobs or alternatively contact the Personnel Department, Queen’s University Belfast, BT7 1NN.
Telephone: (028) 90973044 or (028) 90973854 (answering machine), FAX: (028) 90971040 or e-mail on personnel@qub.ac.uk .
The University is committed to equal opportunities and to selection on merit. It therefore welcomes applications from all sections of society.
Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.
July 2006
Research Fellow (Reference: 06/W483A)
School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen’s Univeristy of Belfast
Similar to the advertisement on http://www.jobs.ac.uk, 25 July, and http://www.qub.ac.uk/jobs (type of job: research), please refer to these for exact details.
Applications are invited for a post-doctoral research fellow, funded by the EPSRC, for up to 3 years to develop and apply a new parallel computational code based on time-dependent R-matrix theory for the accurate calculation of the response of multi-electron atoms exposed to ultra-fast high-intensity laser pulses. Applicants must have at least a 2.1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in Applied Mathematics or Physics or a closely related area, and have a PhD or be about to submit for a PhD in Physics or a closely related area. Applicants must have a minimum of 3 years of research experience by 1 October 2006, substantiated by a good publication record, commensurate with experience. They must also have good computational skills, including the application of codes, and, commensurate with experience, substantial development of new or existing codes.
Salary: £25,633-£33,445 per annum.
The closing date for applications is Friday 11 August 2006, 4.00 pm. It is anticipated interviews will be held late August or early Septembet, with the exact date to be announced later. Guidelines for applications will be given on the QUB website (see above). It is greatly appreciated if applicants take note of these guidelines in view of Equal Opportunity legislation.
May 2006
A three year PhD studentship is available from September 2006 to work in a new group led by Dr Jimena Gorfinkiel at the Open University. The project will use one of the most successful and up to date electron scattering programs to study electron interactions with molecules and small molecular clusters. The project is part of a large European collaboration so there will be opportunities for visiting other groups in Europe and the UK.
The applicant should have a good first degree in Physics or Chemistry and be an EU National.
For further information on the project, the host department and its research, go to: http://physics.open.ac.uk/researchgroups/amoprg/electroninteractions.php.
For informal enquiries contact Jimena Gorfinkiel (J.Gorfinkiel@open.ac.uk).
May 2006
University College London
Department of Physics & Astronomy
Post-Doctoral Research Fellow
Electron initiated chemistry in biomolecules
Applications are invited for an EPSRC-funded post-doctoral research position to work in the group of Prof Jonathan Tennyson. The successful applicant will be an energetic individual with a strong academic record and specific experience in the area of theoretical/computational chemistry or molecular physics, who has recently completed a relevant PhD in Physics, Chemistry or a closely related discipline. Good computation skills and interest in program development are desirable. The project involves applying and adapting the UK R-matrix codes (http://www.tampa.phys.ucl.ac.uk/rmat) to electron collisions with biomolecules.
The project will be performed in collaboration with Dr Tanja van Mourik (University of St Andrews). Candidates interested in studying for a PhD in this area should contact her at tanja.vanmourik@st-andrews.ac.uk.
The Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship is available for up to 3-years from 1 October 2006 or as soon as possible thereafter. Appointment will be made on the lower end of UCL’s grade 7: salary range £24,886 to £27,193 per annum (under review) with an additional London allowance of £2,400 p.a.
Application procedure and further information can be found at http://www.phys.ucl.ac.uk/people/vacancies/Resf40.htm.