PhD position in computational spintronics

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You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

   

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About the position

We seek a highly motivated PhD candidate for a three-year PhD position in computational condensed matter physics, with focus on novel magnetic materials and topological spintronics, at the Department of Physics, NTNU in Trondheim, Norway. The position will start in August 2025.

The appointment involves research under the supervision of senior researcher Alireza Qaiumzadeh, and in direct collaboration with theoretical and experimental research partners in Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, and China. 

The position is funded by Research Council of Norway under FRIPRO call for the project: “Unconventional Thermoelectric Quantum Transport in Novel 2D Magnetic Heterostructures (QTransMag)”.

Your immediate leader is senior researcher Alireza Qaiumzadeh (alireza.qaiumzadeh@ntnu.no). See the group activity at Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Matters.

Duties of the position

The PhD candidate will implement advanced computational methods, ab-initio GW+(TD)DFT calculations and spin dynamics simulations, to investigate emerging phenomena in novel low-dimensional quantum materials and heterostructures. PhD programme consists of 30 ECTS of coursework (four courses), and an independent academic work in the form of a doctoral thesis estimated to 2.5 years. PhD candidate is expected to contribute to international conferences and publish in international peer-reviewed journals.

Required selection criteria

• Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree program, where 120 credits are obtained at master's level.
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be considered if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's doctoral program.
•  A solid foundation in many-body theory, quantum transport theory, group theory applications to physics of condensed matter systems, and computational science.
• A strong background in ab initio computational techniques and python scripting.  

PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”.

As a result of the new Act relating to universities and university colleges with associated regulations of 01.08.2024, NTNU has, during a transitional period (for decisions on employment in recruitment positions before 1 August 2025), chosen to use the terms of employment in the old regulations of 31 January 2006 no. 102 on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, research fellow, scientific assistant and specialist candidate.

Preferred selection criteria

• The prospective candidate should be creative, independent, and have a strong ability to work problem oriented.
•  Excellent written and verbal English communication skills to foster interdisciplinary collaboration.

Personal characteristics

• We are seeking a PhD candidate who embodies passion, patience, and persistence
• Creative, independent, and actively contributing to the team and international collaborations

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

We offer

• an exciting job with an important mission in society
• developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment  
• career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period
• open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues  
• working capital that can be used to implement the project
• training during working hours and company sports at NTNU
• as a public employee, you have favourable benefits as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK) 

You will be employed as a PhD Candidate at NTNU and will have access to employee benefits and discounts.

Diversity

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.

If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions.

Salary and conditions

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 532 200 per annum. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary.

The employment period is 3 years. 

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in physics within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme throughout the period of employment.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.

For the necessary academic and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

About the application

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in English.

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. The application must include:

• A cover letter (one page)
• CV, including publications or other relevant research work
• A summary of the MSc thesis (one page)
• Name and contact information of three referees
• Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees. 

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both Bachelor's and Master's education, in addition to other higher education. If your institution uses “diploma supplement” (normal for most European institutions), you must attach this. A description of the documentation required can also be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well.

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint work, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

When assessing the best qualified, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates.

NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

General information

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact senior researcher Alireza Qaiumzadeh, email alireza.qaiumzadeh@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Magnus Gautvik, e-mail: magnus.gautvik@ntnu.no

If you think this position looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, you are welcome to apply.

Application deadline: 10.02.2025

For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage. 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality