Postdoctoral Researcher in Applied Quantum Computing in Material Science an

at  Oulun Yliopisto

The University of Oulu is a multidisciplinary, international research university, with about 3,600 employees who produce new knowledge based on high-standards research and provide research based education to build a more sustainable, smarter, and more humane world. The University of Oulu community has about 17,000 people in total. Our northern scientific community operates globally and creates conditions for the emergence of innovations.
We are now looking for

ABOUT THE POSITION

One part of the profilation theme is to develop next-generation computational tools and methods under the concept ‘Towards quantum computing use-cases in material sciences and modelling’. Increasingly more quantum computing resources have been built nationally and internationally. Simultaneously also quantum algorithms, programming languages and software development kits are rapidly developing.
Here, we build a practical research cycle that first takes promising quantum computing use cases within the H2FUTURE theme, e.g., in molecular and atomistic modelling, photocatalysis, process optimization, or phase transitions in materials, then applies suitable classical and quantum methods and tools to them, finally implements them on classical supercomputers and online quantum computers, and benchmarks the results.
Applied quantum computing is a multidisciplinary approach needing expertise on the use-case topics, quantum computing & hardware, and classical state-of-the-art computational methods. The research group has a strong existing background in quantum hardware, open quantum system dynamics and quantum computing. Now we are seeking a postdoctoral researcher whose research focus is on applied quantum computing and who has a background either in computational material science and modelling, applied quantum computing, or practical use of quantum computers.
The recruited researchers, together with other researchers in the group and the profilation theme, will form a multidisciplinary team on applied quantum computing for H2FUTURE themes. The research site is the Nano and Molecular Systems Research Unit. In addition to research work, the researchers contribute to teaching (max 5 % of the total yearly working hours) and supervision and may participate in administrative tasks of the research unit.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION

• A doctoral degree in a relevant field, e.g., in physics, material science, chemistry, applied mathematics or similar, that was awarded not more than ten years ago.
• A transdisciplinary research orientation with demonstrated research experience or interest
• Capacity to collaborate in research and research dissemination activities.
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills in English
  Assessment criteria and other qualifications

The candidates will be evaluated based on their qualifications, suitability for the research topics, and potential as researchers. The following merits are seen as a strong advantage:

• Experience with classical computational methods and tools: quantum chemistry, ab initio methods, density functional theory, industrial processes, or optimization
• Experience or motivation to learn the usage of online quantum computers
• Experience or motivation to learn quantum computing & information
• Experience on H2FUTURE related use-case topics e.g in atom & molecule modelling, steel, phase transitions, industrial process optimization
• Good record of scientific publishing
• Experience in supervision of undergraduate, master’s or doctoral students
• Experience in university teaching and supervision
• Successful acquisition of competitive research funds

Please refer the Job description for details