Research Fellow

A 12-month postdoctoral Research Fellow position is available to work in the research group of Dermot Green (blogs.qub.ac.uk/antimatter/members).

The primary responsibility will be to develop many-body theory and its computational implementation for positron interactions with atoms, molecules and condensed matter, and helping to deliver the aims of the ERC Consolidator Grant "ANTIMATTER". The Research Fellow will develop many-body theory to enable ab initio calculations of positron-molecule scattering and for positron interactions in condensed matter, specifically adapting the group's MPI-parallelised C/C++ code EXCITON+. Depending on the expertise of the candidates, development of ab initio approaches (e.g., QED coupled cluster) to calculate processes involving molecules in optical cavities can also be considered.

The Research Fellow will be expected to conduct independent and collaborative research as directed by the PI, prepare results for publication in leading scientific journals, and present at national/international conferences and workshops. The role also includes engagement with the wider research team, including by contributing to collaborative software development, and, where appropriate, mentoring junior researchers/undergraduate research project students.

Please note that the successful applicant must be able to start in July 2025 (or as soon as possible thereafter).

About the person:

The successful Research Fellow must demonstrate the following:

• Have a PhD or be about to obtain a PhD* in theoretical atomic, molecular physics or quantum chemistry including many-body theory (one of diagrammatic many-body theory; diagrammatic Monte Carlo, or coupled cluster theory) and its computational implementation for atoms/molecules and/or condensed matter. (*must by application deadline have submitted thesis and successfully defended viva).
• Specific previous research experience as evidenced by preprints/publications and/or by a completed PhD thesis in either:
  • Theory of low energy positron/positronium interactions with matter; and/or
  • Theory of low-energy electron-matter interactions, including theory and calculations ofelectronic structure, scattering, interatomic decay/electron capture, scattering Coulomb decay/electron capture, or ab initio QED calculations of light-matter interactions involving atoms and molecules in optical cavities.
• Track record (demonstrated via PhD thesis/preprints or journal articles) in high-performance scientific computing for theoretical physics and/or chemistry, specifically in using and/or developing parallelised codes (preferably in C/C++ language) and its use on high-performance computing clusters.
• Track record of working collaboratively within a research team environment, including providing research support to other researchers and undergraduate project students.
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to explain complex theoretical concepts clearly to diverse audiences, including experimental collaborators or non-specialists.
• Ability to start July 2025 (or as soon as possible thereafter).

To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information.

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.

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