Research Associate

Job ID: 060305Salary: £40,386 – £47,414 per annum, depending on experience, including London Weighting Allowance Posted: 03-Jan-2023Closing date: 15-Feb-2023
Business unit: Natural, Mathematical & Engineering SciDepartment: PhysicsContact details: Evgeny Kozik, evgeny.kozik@kcl.ac.uk
Strand Building, Strand Campus Research

Job description

Applicants are invited to apply for a postdoctoral Research Associate role in the group of Dr Evgeny Kozik at King’s College London with a start date from 1st April 2023. The successful applicant will join a collaboration with the experiment group led by Dr Clifford Hicks (Birmingham) and the theory group of Prof Joseph Betouras (Loughborough) focused on understanding and controlling mechanisms of unconventional superconductivity. We are looking for candidates with a background in development and application of advanced computational approaches to correlated electrons, as well as strong programming skills. Experience with diagrammatic Monte Carlo methods and studies of superconductivity or closely related problems is desired.  

Within King’s, the candidate will be part of the Theory & Simulation of Condensed Matter Group at the department of Physics, which belongs to the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences (NMES). Supporting our staff is important to us and we offer a range of provision including flexible working, caring support, and training opportunities. Our staff come from over 45 countries and around 56% of our students are from outside the UK.  

The university is making significant investment in the Faculty and both student and staff numbers are growing. The Department is currently undergoing significant growth with substantial investment in new appointments, research infrastructure and laboratory space refurbishment. Further details are available at   www.kcl.ac.uk/nmes and   www.kcl.ac.uk/physics. 

This post will be offered on a fixed term / full time contract for one year until 30 April 2024 in the first instance, with potential for extension for up to additional three years.

Key responsibilities

•         Internationally leading research in the development of quantum many-body theory and computation  

•         Maintenance and development of computer implementations 

•         Mentorship of more junior group members 

•         Contribution to effective research culture and inclusion 

•         Contribution to effective dissemination of research through written and oral presentation 

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Applicants are expected to have a PhD, or be awaiting its award, in a relevant area (Theoretical/Computational Physics), and a strong expertise in precision methods for correlated electrons, their implementation and application. The successful applicant will be expected to actively contribute to a variety of methodological developments of the diagrammatic Monte Carlo techniques and their application to problems of superconductivity in close collaboration with the theory and experiment groups.

For more details on the project structure, and an informal discussion to find out more about the role, please contact Dr Evgeny Kozik at   evgeny.kozik@kcl.ac.uk.

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

1. PhD awarded or near completion in theoretical or computational condensed matter physics, or related subjects. 

2. A demonstrable record of scientific code development using modern structured and modular development practices and tools. 

3. A good knowledge of condensed matter physics. 

4. Knowledge and experience in development of advanced methods and approaches for strongly correlated electrons. 

5. Strong track record of publications. 

6. The ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing.

Desirable criteria

1. An experience in diagrammatic Monte Carlo methods. 

2. An experience in studies of superconductivity or related problems of strongly correlated electrons.  

3. The ability to work part of a team.

Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.