Postdoctoral Position in Materials Simulation

Professor Dane Morgan at University of Wisconsin - Madison

http://matmodel.engr.wisc.edu/

We invite applications for multiple postdoctoral positions at the University of Wisconsin – Madison in the Computational Materials Group (CMG).  CMG members experience an exciting range of cutting-edge materials research in both fundamental and applied topics, interact with leading researchers from around the world, and learn both technical and leadership skills.  We presently have projects in the following areas.  Key skills for each area are described as a guide, but applicants are not expected to have all of the skills and we encourage those with a strong interest to apply.

1. Mineral/Water interfaces:  Atomistic modeling of mineral/water interfaces and sorption of species on Fe oxyhydroxides for catalysis and environmental remediation.  This work will greatly increase our understanding of the fundamental chemistry of sorption on transition metal oxides in aqueous environments and develop techniques for studying charged oxide surfaces.  Key skills include ab initio and interatomic potential modeling, thermodynamics of mineral/water interfaces, knowledge of Fe oxyhydroxides.
2. Molten salts:  Ab initio prediction of thermokinetic and corrosion properties of molten salts for application in nuclear fuel refining and heat transport in nuclear and solar power plants.  This work will extend the power of ab initio molecular dynamics approaches to provide potentially transformative data for molten salts, including the electrochemistry of corrosion processes.  Key skills include ab initio and interatomic potential molecular dynamics, thermodynamics of ionic liquids, knowledge of molten salts.
3. Oxide film growth:  Multiscale modeling of growth of complex oxide films.  This work will develop new models to guide synthesis of complex oxide films for applications ranging from ferroelectrics to catalysts.  The study involves a close collaboration with novel in-situ synchrotron characterization at Argonne National Laboratory.  Key skills are basic ab initio modeling, kinetic Monte Carlo, knowledge of chemistry of complex oxide growth.
4. High-throughput ab initio calculations:  Development and application of high-throughout tools for automation of ab initio calculations of defects and diffusion for Materials Genome.  This project is part of a National Science Foundation Center for Software Infrastructure for Sustained Innovation with MIT, Univ. of Kentucky, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.  Candidates would have the opportunity to play a leadership role in this center.  Key skills include python programming, ab initio defect and diffusion modeling, project leadership.
5. Virtual reactor modeling:  Modeling hydrogen uptake processes in nuclear reactor cladding for integration into a virtual reactor model.  This process remains poorly understood and plays a critical role in the present nuclear reactor fleet.  The applicant will interact with a large and extraordinary team as part of the Consortium for Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors (CASL), an Energy Innovation Hub dedicated to designing a predictive reactor simulation (http://www.ne.doe.gov/AdvModelingSimulation/casl.html).  This position is joint with Profs. Izabela Szlufarska and Dane Morgan.

 

A PhD in a relevant field is required.  These fields could include materials science, physics, chemistry, chemical engineering, nuclear engineering, computer science, or other related areas. Familiarity with one or more of computer programming, ab initio calculations, molecular simulations, continuum rate equations, and thermodynamic and kinetic modeling is preferred, but capable and enthusiastic applicants with varied background will be considered.

The appointments are initially for one year with the expectation of this being extended if funding is available and the work is going well.  Interested applicants should send

1. CV
2. Contact information for 3 references
3. Estimated date when available
4. Specification of any preferences for one or more of the above areas (please say ‘no preference’ if you are interested in all the areas).

to group recruiter­­­ Shujiang Yang at uw.cmg.hire@gmail.com.  Please use PDF for all documents.  Review of applicants will begin immediately and will continue until the positions are filled.

Computational Materials Group (CMG) (http://matmodel.engr.wisc.edu/):  CMG is a joint effort of Izabela Szlufarska and Dane Morgan in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at UW Madison.  We are a highly active group, with over 30 members and work in areas including nuclear materials, nanomechanics, nano-bio interfaces, fuel cells, batteries, semiconductors, and geophysics.