International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory Careers

Junior Research Fellow (MSc) – Modelling excitations in quantum 2D materials

Job Reference: Ref.04.24.22

Employer: International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)

Location: Braga, Portugal

Group/Unit: Theory of Quantum Nanostructures

Number of Vacancies: 1

Employment Type: Full time

Contract Duration: 6 months*
*Possible extension for 6 more months

Open Date for Applications: April 26th, 2024

Closing Date for Applications: May 19th, 2024, 23h00m (Lisbon Time)

Key words: #quantum2Dmaterials #modelling #photomagnetic #magneticresonance

Overview

The Theory of Quantum Nanostructures RG is dedicated to Curiosity Driven Research on electronic, magnetic and light-matter interaction of Quantum Nanostructures, with special emphasis on the quantum properties of two-dimensional systems.

We are looking for a qualified Junior Research Fellow to join our team under the project Excitations in quantum 2D Materials funded by FCT, with the code PTDC/FIS-MAC/2045/2021.

SR&TD project specifications: INL coordinates the QUEST2D project funded by National Funds through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT):

(a)  Name of the project: Excitations in quantum 2D Materials

(b)  Reference number: PTDC/FIS-MAC/2045/2021

(c) Description: Materials whose electronic properties are governed by emergent quantum electronic phenomena, such as topological insulators, Mott insulators, unconventional superconductors and 2D magnets fall into the broad label of Quantum Materials. In this project we will study collective excitations, such as magnons, paramagnons, excitons, plasmons in two-dimensional(2D) quantum materials of two types: 2D crystals with either magnetic order, such as CrI3, oxychlorides, and Fe2GeTe3, or superconducting order, such as NbSe2, and Van dervWaals heterostructures combining them both with each other and with other 2D crystals such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides. The study of collective excitations is of paramount importance for two reasons. First, collective excitations govern the response of these materials to experimental probes, and are thus essential to turn experimental data into physical insight about the materials. Second, collective excitations behave as quasiparticles that can be used to store and carry information, both classical and quantum, providing a platform for advanced technologies, and can also be the glue for superconducting pairing. In this project we address, from the theory standpoint, several open questions in the field of 2D crystals that feature either magnetic or superconducting order, as well their Van der Waals heterostructures. In all cases, hybridisation between different classes the collective modes plays a crucial role and requires to go beyond the state of the art methods. We consider two types of hybridisation. In 2D crystals with strong spin-orbit coupling or strong magneto-dichroism, the spin response function is coupled to the charge and optical response functions. The second type of hybridisation studied here occurs in Van der Waals heterostructures that bring different 2D crystals. In both cases, the standard approximation of treating the spin, charge and optical response functions as decoupled objects fails.

(d)  Scientific Area: Condensed Matter Physics

Description of the functions and key primary responsibilities: 

The successful candidate will work on tasks 1-3 of the SR&TD project, and will be assigned the following tasks:

• Model spin response of NBSe2 and related spin-vally coupled materials;
• Understand the photo-magnetic response of ferromagnetic 2D crystals (such as CrI3) and alloys (such as WSe2:V), as well as antiferromagnetic crystals such as FePSi3 and FeOCl;
• Compute the inverse Faraday effect (IFE) and photon-magnon and exciton magnon interactions, and how these could be used to implement optically driven magnetic resonance.

 Specific Eligibility Conditions:

Candidates must meet the following conditions, as they are required by the nature of the duties the candidate will be required to perform:

• MSc in Physics, Nanoscience, or similar;
• Relevant experience in condensed matter theory, simulation of model Hamiltonians and, calculation of electronic properties;
• Ability to write simulation codes for numerical calculations of model Hamiltonians, using Python and/or Mathematica.

The call describes the requirements in terms of qualifications and professional experience deemed appropriate for the position. If a candidate has additional qualifications and professional experience, they can only be recruited at the job category and profile specified.

Applications that do not meet these conditions will not be considered.

Supervision: The work plan will be developed under the scientific guidance of Dr. Joaquín Fernández Rossier and Dr. Antonio Costa. The successful candidate will be integrated in the Theory of Quantum Nanostructures Research Group.

Selection Committee:

The selection of candidates will be carried out by a Selection Committee consisting of the following persons:

Dr. Joaquín Fernández Rossier

Dr. Antonio Costa

Dr. Nuno M. R. Peres

Renata Silva - Human Resources  

Duration of the contract

The total duration of the employment contract shall be 6 months and may be renewed based on the performance of the individual. In any case the contract cannot exceed the duration of the project. The expected starting date is June 2024.

General Eligibility conditions, required qualifications and expertise:

Candidates must comply with the following requirements:

1. Hold a MSc Degree within the field of the selected vacancy;
2. Be a Portuguese citizen, a European Union citizen, a non-European Union Citizen, or a stateless person with a scientific and professional curriculum that demonstrates an appropriate profile for the activity to be performed;
3. Fluency in English is required.

How to Apply

The application must be in English and include the following mandatory documents:

a)     Cover letter;

b)     Curriculum Vitae;

c)      Academic and/or Professional diplomas;

d)     At least one recommendation letter;

e)     Recognition of academic degrees (only academic degrees awarded by non-Portuguese higher education institutions)*.

* The selected candidate(s) with an academic degree granted by a non-Portuguese higher education institution must present, for hiring purposes, the certificate of recognition of that degree(s), issued by the Portuguese Directorate General for Higher Education or by a Portuguese Public Higher Education Institution. Please consult the website of the Portuguese Directorate General for Higher Education: https://www.dges.gov.pt/en.

Online application instructions:

1. The application is made online by clicking the “Apply” button;
2. The candidate must complete all required sections of the online application form;
3. The candidate must submit the mandatory documents mentioned above in pdf format by including them in the “Additional files” section using the “Add portfolio” button.

Important note:

Incomplete applications including the failure to provide mandatory documents or providing inaccurate information will result in the application not being considered.

How the Selection Process works

A. Applications eligibility check

This stage will be carried out on the basis of the mandatory requirements, education, experience and technical skills defined for the job, as well as the validation of the mandatory documents. Only candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will move forward to the next stage.

B. CV Assessment

The Selection Committee will evaluate the eligible applications based on their CV and other submitted documents and the suitability for the position, and shall focus on the relevance, quality and up-to-date of the following items:

• Scientific and Technological Production (‘STP’);
• Applied and Practice-based Research Activities (‘RA’);
• Activities  related to the Dissemination of Knowledge (‘DK’);
• Activities related to the Management of Science, Technology and Innovation programmes (‘MSTI’).

The research experience will be assessed according to the following criteria:

• STP (65%): Academic Qualifications (AQ) – 25%; Scientific Profile (SP) – 25%; Research Quality (RQ) – 10%; RTI Funding (RF) – 5%;
• RA (15%): Development, operation and maintenance of scientific facilities “instrumentation and/or equipment”  (DOM) – 2%; Conferences, symposia and scientific cooperation activities (CSS) - 3%; Professional activities (PA) – 5%; Mobility and Interdisciplinarity (MI) – 5%;
• DK (5%): Transfer to other areas of society (TS) – 3%; Promotion of the public understanding of science (PPUS) – 2%;
• MSTI (5%): Laboratory facilities and equipments (LFE) – 5%.

This criteria will have a total valuation of 90%. The minimum threshold for this stage is 60%.

The top four ranked candidates will be shortlisted for interview, provided however that they pass the threshold mentioned above.

C. Interview(s)

The interview(s) may be done in different formats: video recording, online or onsite.

The question based interview will evaluate the match between the candidate’s profile and the requirements for the position, including the technical and personal skills. To better support this stage, the candidate may be requested to prepare a short presentation.

This criterion will have a total valuation of 10%.

D. Assessment

The Selection Committee will draw up the minutes of the R&S process in which candidates will be ranked according to their evaluation scores.

E. Nomination

The selected candidate will be nominated and formally offered the position, including the disclosure of the contractual conditions. 

Our Benefits

• Competitive salary;
• Tax benefits and other Diplomatic privileges;
• Private health insurance;
• Family allowances (according to family situation);
• Free nursery service at INL premises (subject to availability);
• Support for education fees of dependent children;
• Relocation support;
• 30 working days of annual leave.

Financial Benefits

INL offers an attractive financial package appropriate to an international research organisation. Due to INL special legal status as intergovernmental organisation, financial benefits are exempt for national income tax. Apart from the salary, INL may offer, depending on the personal situation, additional allowances and benefits for families and non-residents.

Additional Information

Applicable legal and regulatory framework, taking into consideration the international status of the Organisation

The contract will be subject to the INL’s Staff Rules, as amended from time to time, as well as to all other relevant instructions issued by the Organisation. For this purpose, a copy of the Staff Rules shall be provided. The contract may also be supplemented by the terms and conditions of the Financing Contract between the Organisation and the FCT governing the implementation of the FCT Project.

Disputes between the Organisation and the Employed Member of the Personnel shall be settled in accordance with the INL´s Staff Rules.

Notification of results

Each candidate notified via email of the result of their individual application. If the first candidate refuses the offer, the Human Resources will send an offer to the second candidate on the ranking, and so on until the vacancy is filled.

We highly value the interest shown from applicants wishing to become a part of the INL experience. It is important for us to maintain good communications with candidates. No matter the outcome of the application, we always send the applicant an answer. 

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Principle

INL follows a non-discrimination and equal access principle, wherefore no candidate can be privileged, benefited, impaired or deprived of any rights whatsoever, or be exempt of and duties based on any possible discriminatory issues.

The advertisement deadline may be extended at any time without previous notice in order to improve the suitability and effectiveness of the recruitment process.

About INL

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory – INL (http://www.inl.int), is the first and only Intergovernmental Organisation in the world entirely focused on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.

It was founded under an international legal framework to perform interdisciplinary research, deploy and communicate nanotechnology for the benefit of society. INL aims to be a recognised leading global nanotechnology innovation hub.