The Institute of Physics (IoP ) and the Advanced Research Center for Nanolithography (ARCNL) are expanding ARCNL’s Materials Theory and Modelling group and have an opening for a fully funded PhD position from Spring 2022.

In this project you will use cutting edge computational modelling techniques to investigate performance limiting and enhancing atomic scale phenomena at surfaces and heterogeneous interfaces. Working closely with experimental collaborators within ARCNL and with industrial partners, you will use computational models to elucidate and predict adhesion and friction behavior for relevant coatings. Specifically, the use of density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) to understand the effect of bulk properties, surface termination, defects, and roughness on adhesion, and contact dynamics at close contact interfaces. Dependent on your expertise and progress, the project can in the later stages be expanded to also include larger scale simulation techniques, such as Monte Carlo simulations, and materials discovery.

What are you going to do

This position would suit a highly motivated candidate looking for a challenging computational and theoretical project. The position will involve close collaboration with fellow members of the Materials Department at ARCNL and researchers at industrial partners. Ability and willingness to work as a part of a collaborative team is essential, as is flexibility, responsiveness to changing research focus, and problem solving. The successful candidate should show high self-motivation and diligence, and is expected to contribute to dissemination activities about the project in (inter)national venues and peer reviewed journals.

You should have:

• a MSc or equivalent in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science or a related subject;
• the ability to clearly communicate research results to a wide variety of audiences and mediums;
• pre-existing research experience in materials theory and modelling, especially in density functional theory, static-lattice, and molecular dynamics, as evidenced by research experience;
• experience with one or more of the following computational modelling tools: CP2K, VASP, Quantum Espresso, Castep, LAMMPS, DL_POLY, GULP, Gaussian, or equivalent and ability to write, run, and correct Python (or other language) code is also advantageous, but not a prerequisite;
• previous experience with working with experimental and industrial partners is beneficial;
• good social and organizational skills.;
• good spoken and written English.

Fixed-term contract: 18 months.

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of four years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of four years). This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students. 

The salary, depending on relevant experience before the beginning of the employment contract, will be €2,434 to €3,111 (scale P) gross per month, based on a fulltime contract (38 hours a week). This is exclusive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Are you curious about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits like our excellent opportunities for study and development? Take a look here.

University of Amsterdam

With over 6,000 employees, 30,000 students and a budget of more than 600 million euros, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) is an intellectual hub within the Netherlands. Teaching and research at the UvA are conducted within seven faculties: Humanities, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Economics and Business, Law, Science, Medicine and Dentistry. Housed on four city campuses in or near the heart of Amsterdam, where disciplines come together and interact, the faculties have close links with thousands of researchers and hundreds of institutions at home and abroad.  

The UvA’s students and employees are independent thinkers, competent rebels who dare to question dogmas and aren’t satisfied with easy answers and standard solutions. To work at the UvA is to work in an independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterised by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society.

Faculty of Science - Institute of Physics

The mission of the Institute of Physics (IoP) is to carry out excellent research in the field of experimental and theoretical physics, to provide inspiring teaching within the physics and other curricula and to transfer our knowledge of and enthusiasm for physics to society. The IoP has over 50 faculty and 180 researchers in total. The combination with the NWO Institutes at Amsterdam Science Park constitutes the largest physics hub in the Netherlands and is an international centre of excellence.

The Advanced Research Centre for Nanolithography (ARCNL) focuses on the fundamental physics and chemistry involved in current and future key technologies in nanolithography, primarily for the semiconductor industry. ARCNL is a public-private partnership between the Dutch Research Council (NWO), the University of Amsterdam (UvA), the VU University Amsterdam (VU) and the semiconductor equipment manufacturer ASML. ARCNL is located at the Science Park Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and is a thriving research community of approximately 100 scientists and support staff. 

The Materials Theory and Modelling group focuses on atomic scale modelling of solid-state materials and materials discovery. Pushing materials to the extreme limits, materials for novel lithography technologies require atomic level understanding in order to predict, comprehend, and control their properties. Using cutting-edge modelling techniques, the Materials Theory and Modelling group conducts simulations of bulk, surface, thin-films, and interface systems to explore and design materials for nanolithography.