Postdoctoral researcher in Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics

Faculty of Sciences – Institute of Physics

The Institute for Theoretical Physics (IoP) of the University of Amsterdam (ITFA, a division of the Institute of Physics) is seeking exceptional candidates for a postdoc position in Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics.

The institute currently hosts various research groups active in diverse areas including condensed matter, topological matter, low-dimensional quantum systems, quantum information, and soft condensed matter, complemented by a very active high-energy group. It is housed in the new building of the Faculty of Science at the Science Park Amsterdam, and the resulting proximity of experimentalists at the Van der Waals-Zeeman institute (WZI, subjects include quantum matter, topological matter and cold atoms), of quantum computation experts at the Centrum Wiskunde en Informatica (CWI) and of mathematicians at the Korteweg-de Vries Institute (KdVI), provides an ideal ground for further collaborations. The PhD position will be embedded in the Theoretical Condensed Matter group, which includes experts in the fields of topological matter, strongly interacting electrons, and integrable systems, as well as the development of numerical techniques. Finally, the ties with the theoretical and experimental physicists at VU University Amsterdam will strongly benefit from the intensifying collaboration of the science faculties of both universities in all domains, in particular in physics.

Project description

'Coupled charge and orbital order: helices, topology and high-temperature superconductors'

We recently discovered that helical waves of charge density can occur within semiconducting materials, as long as they are accompanied by a simultaneously ordered arrangement of electronic orbitals. It has since been suggested that similar types of charge and orbital order emerge in a variety of material classes, ranging from elemental metals, to quasi two-dimensional planar structures, to high-temperature superconductors. In some cases these phases also have a topological character.

The main aim of the current project will be to classify the different phases and defect structures that may occur in materials with combined charge and orbital order. Effective theories will then be used to both interpret the role of elementary excitations and topological defects in recent and future experiments on chiral charge ordered phases, and to guide the search for further novel ordered states and topological transitions in these material classes.

Requirements

The candidate should have obtained or be about to obtain a PhD in a relevant area of theoretical condensed matter Physics.

Further information

• Dr. Jasper van Wezel

Appointment

The appointment – preferably starting in September 2015 – will be on a temporary basis for a maximum period of two and a half years. Depending on your knowledge and experience, your monthly gross salary will range between €2,977 and €3,908 (scale 10 according to the Collective Employment Agreement of the Dutch Universities) based on a full-time appointment. We offer a pension scheme, a holiday allowance of 8% per year, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3% and flexible employment conditions. Conditions are based on the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. Favourable tax agreements may apply to non-Dutch applicants.

Job application

If you meet the requirements and are interested in applying for this postdoctoral position, please send an application letter and a CV, along with at least two letters of recommendation, a sample of your work (a single article or thesis chapter only please), and optionally a personal research statement of research plans and interests, all in pdf format, to application-science@uva.nl. Please ensure that you include reference number 15-045 in the subject line of your application and reference letters (failure to do so may significantly delay the application process).  #LI-POST 

No agencies please