Job Overview

Postdoctoral Researcher in Hydrodynamics for Electronic Crystals

Are you interested in a postdoctoral position at the intersection between condensed matter theory, hydrodynamics and experiments on electronic phases? The Institute of Physics at the University of Amsterdam has an opening on the project ‘Hydrodynamics for electronic crystals’ together with Dr. Jay Armas and Dr. Erik van Heumen. The aim is to explore and develop theoretical hydrodynamic frameworks and linear response theory for different phases of matter including charge density waves, nematic order, plasticity and glassy phases. We thus expect the candidate to have a strong background in developing hydrodynamic theories for condensed matter systems, the ability to understand and connect to experiments and data, and, potentially, affinity with (or willingness to learn) holographic models of condensed matter systems both from a numerical and an analytical point of view.

What are you going to do

You will join an exciting team of researchers that includes postdocs Piotr Surowka, Akash Jain and PhD students Xuanbo Feng and Silvia Cassanelli. The project requires regular interactions with experimental groups to develop appropriate models for electronic phases that have been recently discovered in layered van der Waals materials. We expect you to be able to work with a high degree of independence and serve as a driving force in this project and to be an active member, participate in regular group activities and help creating a lively and exciting research environment.

What do we require

• A PhD in physics.
• A background in condensed matter physics and hydrodynamics.
• Excellent English oral and written communication skills.

Our offer

A temporary contract for two years with the possibility of an one year extension based on performance.  The salary, depending on relevant experience before the beginning of the employment contract, will be  €2,836 to €4,474 (scale 10) 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.

Questions

Do you have questions about this vacancy? Or do you want to know more about our organisation? Please contact:

• Dr. Erik van Heumen 

or

• Dr. Jay Armas

About us

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 7,000, as well as 1,600 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The Institute of Physics (IoP) of the University of Amsterdam is located in the center of the Amsterdam Science Park. The IoP – as part of the Faculty of Science –is housed in a modern building with excellent labs and technical facilities. Surrounded by several national research institutes and with our partners at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the institute is part of a strong physics center of international standing.

The Van der Waals – Zeeman Institute for Experimental Physics (IoP-WZI) is part of the IoP and home to three research clusters: Quantum Gases & Quantum Information (QG&QI), Quantum Materials (QMat), and Soft Matter (SM). Our research focuses on the emergent properties of complex matter both in a quantum and classical physics setting.

The optical spectroscopy lab, supervised by Dr. Erik van Heumen, is part of the Quantum Materials Amsterdam (QMA) research cluster. The optics group focusses on spectroscopy of topological and strongly correlated electron materials using far-field and near-field optical spectroscopy,  as well as magneto optical spectroscopy.

The Amsterdam String Theory Group is one of the largest and most prominent groups in the world. It consists of faculty and staff members Jay Armas, Daniel Baumann, Jan de Boer, Alejandra Castro, Miranda Cheng, Diego Hofman, Ben Freivogel, Jan Pieter van der Schaar, Erik Verlinde and Marcel Vonk, along with many visiting faculty, post-doctoral researchers and PhD candidates. The group’s research interests are diverse and extend across all of string theory, including AdS/CFT and its applications to condensed matter, string cosmology, emergent gravity and mathematical aspects of string theory. There is a stimulating atmosphere in the group, a diverse range of nationalities, and an active visitor programme which attracts the best string theorists from all over the world.

The Dutch Institute for Emergent Phenomena (DIEP) is coordinated by Dr. Jay Armas and gathers an interdisciplinary team of researchers working towards understanding emergence in a broad class of systems including phases of strongly correlated electron materials.

Job application

Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application by 31 January 2022, but applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis. The starting date for the project can be discussed, but is expected to be at the latest September 2022 (earlier dates are preferred).

Applications in a single PDF (please upload in the field marked CV) should include:

• CV (please do not include full publications; links to publications in your CV are appreciated). Please include details of three referees who will be contacted when you are shortlisted.
• Cover letter where you will briefly present yourself. Give an explicit and well-motivated description of why you fit the profile provided in the vacancy text.

Apply Now