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PhD Position in Molecular Modeling

Employer
NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - NTNU
Location
Gløshaugen, Norway
Closing date
20 Dec 2019

About the position

We have a vacancy for a PhD position in Molecular Modeling - "Rare events at the electronically exited state".

Department of Chemistry has a vacancy for a PhD position. The appointment has a duration of 3 years with the possibility of until 1 year extension with 25% teaching duties in agreement with the department. To undertake the teaching duties it is a requirement that the candidate speaks Norwegian or another Scandinavian language. The position is financed by the Toppforsk funding of the Research Council of Norway for the project: Theolight: "Theoretical probing of local and ultrafast phenomena using advanced light sources".

The mission of the TheoLight project is to develop computational tools and methods for interpretation of advanced light source experiments, for instance time-resolved near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (TR-NEXAFS) and many others. This PhD project will contribute to this overarching goal by developing and applying advanced molecular simulation techniques to study chemical reactions at the excited state.

Detailed information on our PhD programs is found at: http://www.ntnu.edu/nv/phd

The main supervisor of this PhD project is Professor Titus van Erp, Department of Chemistry, NTNU, https://www.ntnu.edu/employees/titus.van.erp, www.van-erp.org. Project leader of TheoLight project is Professor Henrik Koch, department of chemistry, NTNU, and Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy, https://www.ntnu.edu/employees/henrik.koch.

Further information about the Department can be found at http://www.ntnu.edu/chemistry

The position reports to the Professor Titus van Erp.

Main duties and responsibilities

The objective of the PhD education is to qualify for scientific research of high international standard. The PhD education has a nominal duration of three years of full-time study and includes required coursework or similar academic training comprising a minimum of 30 credits. The most important component of the PhD education is an independent scientific research project carried out under academic supervision, which results in the PhD thesis. The PhD degree is conferred based on these two elements and the doctoral examination, which consists of a trial lecture and a public defense of the scientific thesis.

The candidate is expected to fully complete the course work and the PhD thesis within the period of employment, which could be 3 or 4 years. The doctoral examination may take place after the period of employment. The option of 4-year employment would imply 1 year of duties as Teaching Assistant for the Department and may be offered to a candidate with clear motivation and ability for such work, if the Department sees the need.

The specific aim for this PhD project is to apply rare event simulation techniques (transition path sampling/replica exchange transition interface sampling) with ab initio molecular dynamics to study chemical reactions not only at the electronical groundstate (Born-Oppenheimer dynamics), but also on electronically excited states. In addition, QM/MM type of methods will be further developed where two levels of theory for the description of the molecular system will be connected in time rather than in space as in the conventional QM/MM methods.

Qualification requirements

The PhD-position's main objective is to qualify for work in research positions. The qualification requirement is completion of a master’s degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 credits) with a strong academic background in chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, computer science or equivalent education with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale. Applicants with no letter grades from previous studies must have an equally good academic foundation. Applicants who are unable to meet these criteria may be considered only if they can document that they are particularly suitable candidates for education leading to a PhD degree.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national guidelines for appointment as PhD, postdoctor and research assistant

Experience with molecular simulations, quantum mechanics, statistical thermodynamics, and programming experience will in particular be evaluated for this position. The PhD work will be mainly theoretical.

The position requires spoken and written fluency in the English language. Applicants from non-English-speaking countries outside Europe must document English skills by an approved test. Approved tests are TOEFL, IELTS and Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English(CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE).

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

Personal characteristics

The successful candidate should be creative, with a strong ability to work problem oriented. He/she should also enjoy interdisciplinary research and take keen interest in learning and working in teams.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, as well as motivation, in terms of the qualification requirements specified in the advertisement

We offer

Salary and conditions

PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 479 600 before tax per year. From the salary, 2 % is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3 or 4 years. Appointment to a PhD position requires admission to the PhD programme in Chemistry (http://www.ntnu.edu/nv/phd).

As a PhD candidate, you undertake to participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period. A condition of appointment is that you are in fact qualified for admission to the PhD programme within three months.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criterias in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

General information

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. Under the Freedom of Information Act (offentleglova), information about the applicant may be made public even if the applicant has requested not to have their name entered on the list of applicants.

Questions about the position can be directed to Prof. Titus van Erp, e-mail: titus.van.erp@ntnu.no

The national labour force must reflect the composition of the population to the greatest possible extent, NTNU wants to increase the proportion of women in its scientific posts. Women are encouraged to apply. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life (http://trondheim.com/). Having a population of 200 000, Trondheim is a small city by international standards with low crime rates and little pollution. It also has easy access to a beautiful countryside with mountains and a dramatic coastline.

About the application:

Publications and other academic works that the applicant would like to be considered in the evaluation must accompany the application. Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify the individual applicant's contribution to joint works, the applicant must include a brief description of his or her contribution.

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates.

Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI): http://www.chsi.com.cn/en/).

Applicants invited for interview must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters.

Please refer to the application number NV-113/19 when applying.

Application deadline: 20.12.2019

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

Department of Chemistry  

We educate graduates for careers in environmental science, industry, the school system, research and public administration. Chemistry is also a basic discipline for medicine, biology and technology, and an important key in issues related to energy, climate, the environment, food, water and health. Research activities at the Department range from environmental chemistry to applied theoretical chemistry. The Department of Chemistry is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Natural Sciences.  

Deadline 20th December 2019
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Gløshaugen

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