Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Physics and Astronomy
Job ID: 20617
Location: Main Campus
Position Description

Area: Simulation of quantum many body systems with emphasis on topological materials
Duration: 2 years (with potential for renewal)
Start date: September 1, 2020*
Salary: $50,000 per year, plus University of Calgary Plan C Benefits

The Department of Physics and Astronomy in the Faculty of Science at the University of Calgary is accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar in Simulation of quantum many body systems with emphasis on topological materials.

Job Description:

The research groups of Barry Sanders and David Feder are seeking an ambitious and accomplished postdoctoral scholar to conduct innovative research in the general area of theoretical and/or computational condensed matter physics and quantum information science. The successful candidate will work on a funded project to simulate the properties and dynamics of interacting ultracold atomic gases under the influence of artificial gauge fields and external potentials, under conditions where topological considerations play an essential role. The project will build on, and continue to support, an existing collaboration with theoretical and experimental groups at the University of Alberta under the recently established Quantum Alberta initiative.

While this position is supported by funds from the Government of Alberta Major Innovation Fund, NSERC, and other grants, excellent candidates will be encouraged to apply for prestigious national fellowships. The candidate will be joining the Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, which includes theoretical, computational, and experimental scientists, with diverse interests including condensed matter physics, atomic, molecular, and optical physics, quantum information theory, pure mathematics, computer science, and chemistry.

Due to the pandemic, the starting date and details are flexible.

Qualifications:

Candidates must have a PhD or equivalent in Physics or a closely related field (Applicants must have received their PhD degree not more than three (3) years prior to the date of application, and must complete all degree requirements before starting the appointment).
The position requires prior experience with computational techniques to study interacting quantum many body systems (quantum Monte Carlo, density matrix renormalization group, tensor network, exact diagonalization and dynamical mean-field theory would be a strong asset).
Familiarity with advanced concepts in quantum information theory is an asset.
The applicant should be motivated and possess strong analytical skills.
Application details:

Please review the Postdoc Eligibility Guidelines prior to applying for this position.

Please submit your applications on or before Thursday, June 18, 2020 via email to Dr. Barry Sanders at sandersb@ucalgary.ca and Dr. David Feder at dfeder@ucalgary.ca.

Interested applicants may contact the principal investigators directly to express interest and /or submit your application for consideration.

All applications must include:

a cover letter including date of availability,* suitability and motivation for the role, including general research/goals statement, sample publications or manuscripts
current curriculum vitae (CV);
copies (unofficial is ok) of diplomas/university certificates; and
contact information including email addresses for two (2) references to support the application.
* As part of our efforts to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, all new international postdoctoral scholar hires arriving from outside Canada must have an appointment start date of July 1, 2020 or later.

Only those applicants selected for interviews will be contacted further.

For more information about the Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, please visit www.iqst.ca

Additional Information

To learn more about postdoctoral scholar opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Postdoc Careers website. For more information about the Faculty of Science visit Careers in the Faculty of Science.

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

To succeed as one of Canada’s top universities, where new ideas are created, tested and applied through first-class teaching and research, the University of Calgary needs more of the best minds in our classrooms and labs. We’re increasing our scholarly capacity by investing in people who want to change the world, bringing the best and brightest to Calgary to form a global intellectual hub and achieve advances that matter to everyone. For more information visit research.ucalgary.ca/postdocs.

About Calgary, Alberta

Calgary is one of the world's cleanest cities and has been named one of the world's most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders – in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from the strongest economy in the nation and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour’s drive from the Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.

The University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their professional success while they are here. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.