A post-doctoral position is available in our group at the Institut de Minéralogie et de Physique des Milieux Condensés (IMPMC, Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Sorbonne, Paris, France).

Subject: Crystal structure prediction of novel superhard compounds

Project: The high-pressure (HP) chemistry of light elements is a challenging field, particularly in view of the synthesis of novel superhard materials. Experiments aimed at such synthesis need to be guided by state-of-the-art ab initio calculations. On the other hand, the general problem of crystal structure prediction is traditionally regarded as one of the most complex problems of physical sciences. Recently, different algorithms of structure predictions based on ab initio calculations have been proposed, among which the evolutionary algorithm USPEX from Oganov group, the AIRSS method from Pickard group, and the CALYPSO method from Ma's group. A 4-year grant on the synthesis of superhard compounds of B-C-N-O-P elements has recently been approved by the French National Agency for Research (ANR). The project relies on both an experimental and a theoretical part, and a postdoctoral position (12+ months) has been funded to conduct a search on the most interesting high-pressure/high-temperature structures of compounds belonging to the BCNOP family.

Required skills: The candidate must be familiar with ab initio methods based on density functional theory, and preferably with structure prediction approaches such as those mentioned above. A strong motivation to direct interaction with the experimental groups is also necessary.

Our recent theoretical work on HP light elements & compounds:
PRL 93, 225901 (2004);
PRL 94, 025506 (2005);
PRL 96, 067801 (2006);
Nature Materials 6, 698 (2007);
Nature Materials 8, 405 (2009);
PRL 103, 185701 (2009);
PRL 106, 125701 (2011);
PRL 108, 165702 (2012),
PRL in press (2012)

Expected starting date : September 2012, different starting dates are also possible

Net salary ~ 24,000 euro/year after health insurance and tax deductions.

Candidates should send a CV (pdf file) containing a list of publications, a description of research interests and two letters of recommendation to be sent by email to A. Marco Saitta (marco.saitta@upmc.fr).

http://www.impmc.upmc.fr/~saitta

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A. Marco Saitta
Professeur des Universités
Institut de Minéralogie et de Physique des Milieux Condensés
Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Sorbonne Universités
Paris, France
Tél +(33|0)1.44.27.22.44