Doctoral student in theoretical and computational nuclear physics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Research and teaching conducted at the Department of Physics span from basic science topics in condensed matter physics, nuclear, particle and astroparticle physics to applied areas such as medical imaging, nuclear engineering and nuclear power safety.

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Physics, specialization Atomic, Subatomic, and Astrophysics.

A major nuclear physics infrastructure investment is the construction of radioactive ion beam facilities opening up new possibilities of detailed studies of highly unstable nuclei. It is expected that standard concepts in nuclear structure physics will have to be reconsidered and eventually modified enabling a deeper understanding of the underlying nucleon-nucleon interaction. Those nuclei are also important for the predicted astrophysical rapid neutron capture process. A proper framework to describe the existing as well as the coming experimental data requires a unified microscopic model of the complicated dynamics governing the motion of the nucleons inside the nucleus. The KTH theory group works in subjects which are important from a pure theoretical point of view as well as for the interpretation and development of experiments which are been carried out in various laboratories around the world. On-going projects are, for example, calculations on various properties of nuclei using different nuclear structure models and development of nuclear models using experimental data. We also investigate the effect of nuclear structure on alpha and proton decays as well as nuclear reactions. The project involves the development of state-of-the-art quantum many-body approaches including but not limited to the foundations of the nuclear shell model configuration interaction approach and high performance computation algorithms as well as pairing collectivity and alpha clustering of exotic nuclei through exact treatment of nuclear isovector and isoscalar pairing correlations. The student is also expected to apply machine learning algorithms to optimize  the nuclear model to be developed and quantify the theoretical uncertainty. The project gives an excellent opportunity to develop theoretical physics skills and apply computational and statistical methods. The employment will be supported through a funding from the Göran Gustafsson foundation.

What we offer

• The possibility to study in a dynamic international research environment in close cooperation with industries and advanced universities the world over.
• Life-long network through KTH's Alumni organization.
• A personal study plan to support your development within your areas of interest.
• A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH's doctoral student salary agreement.
• Work and study in Stockholm, one of Europe´s fastest growing capitals, which is close to both nature and the sea.
• Help to relocate and get settled in Sweden and at KTH.
• The project will be integrated within our research programme at the KTH nuclear physics division depending on the interests and skills of the successful candidate. Our group has also close collaborations with leading international experimental and theoretical groups.

Eligibility

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

• passed a degree at advanced level,
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at advanced level, or
• in any other way acquired within or outside the country acquired essentially equivalent knowledge.

Selection

In order to succeed as an doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. In the selection of the applicants, the following will be assessed:

• ability to independently pursue his or hers work,
• ability to collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach and
• analyse and work with complex issues.

This subject will also require excellent knowledge in quantum physics, nuclear physics and programming skills with Fortran, Python (or mathematica) and/or C++.

After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities and personal suitability.

Target degree: Licentiate degree.

Information regarding admission and employment

Only those who are or have been admitted to third-cycle studies may be employed as a doctoral student. The term of the initial contract may not exceed one year and may thereafter be extended. Doctoral students may engage in teaching, research, and administration corresponding to a maximum of 20 % of a full-time position.

Union representatives

You will find contact information for union representatives on KTH's website.

Doctoral section (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

You will find contact information for doctoral section on the section's website.

Application

Apply for the position and admission through KTH's recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/entral European Summer Time).

Applications must include the following elements:

• CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
• Copy of the degree certificate(s) and transcripts of records from your previously attended university-level institutions. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents are not issued in one of these languages.
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other information

Gender equality, diversity and zero tolerance against discrimination and harassment are important aspects of KTH's work with quality as well as core values in our organization.

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process please read here.

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Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.