Looking for new challenges in theoretical and computational physics that are closely connected with the latest experimental developments? Interested in applying neuromorphic computing to tackle so far unsolvable problems in physics? Then join us as a PhD candidate focused on theory and simulations of ultrafast dynamics of magnetism far out of equilibrium.

Our main research interest is to understand the dynamics of magnetism at the shortest length and time scales, for which existing methods fail to give an adequate description. We exploit and develop both phenomenological theory and new computational methods inspired from machine learning. We apply these methods to access otherwise inaccessible regimes of magnetism and provide explanations and predictions for state-of-the-art time-resolved optical and X-ray experiments. Ultimately, our research aims to disclose new scenarios for ultrafast, ultrasmall and minimally dissipative switching of magnetism. Although fundamental in nature, our research may, in the long term, enable applications in data storage and processing that are much more energy-efficient than possible today. 

As a PhD candidate you will take training courses and perform research in the above-mentioned areas, work in an international group consisting of theorists and experimentalists, publish results in leading journals, and be given the opportunity to participate in national and international schools and conferences. You will be involved in training and teaching BSc and MSc students (up to 10% of your appointment).

• You are an excellent and highly motivated candidate with an MSc degree in Physics or an equivalent qualification.
• You have a strong background in theoretical and computational condensed matter physics. 
• You must have strong communication skills, including fluency in written and spoken English.

Fixed-term contract: You will be employed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4 year contract) or 3.5 years (5 year contract).

• It concerns an employment for 0.8 (5 year contract) - 1.0 FTE (4 year contract).
• The gross starting salary amounts to €2,541 per month based on a 38-hour working week, and will increase to €3,247 from the fourth year onwards (salary scale P).
• You will receive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will be appointed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4 year contract) or 3.5 years (5 year contract).
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Care Services. Our Dual Career and Family Care Officer can assist you with family-related support, help your partner or spouse prepare for the local labour market, provide customized support in their search for employment  and help your family settle in Nijmegen.
• Working for us means getting extra days off. In case of full-time employment, you can choose between 29 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the legally allotted 20.

Work and science require good employment practices. This is reflected in Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself, for example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports subscription. And of course, we offer a good pension plan. You are given plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

The Ultrafast Spectroscopy of Correlated Materials group conducts both experimental and theoretical research aimed at understanding ultrafast processes in correlated materials. To this end, we employ several novel experimental and theoretical approaches allowing time-resolved measurements and simulations with subpicosecond resolution. The department has access to the High Field Magnet Laboratory (HFML) and the Free-Electron Lasers for Infrared eXperiments (FELIX). Your research will be embedded in ongoing research lines at the interface between theory and experiment, with a particular emphasis on the link with new experiments employing subpicosecond X-ray free-electron lasers. In addition, the research benefits from existing international collaborations (EU-NIMFEIA project on magnonic reservoir computing, EU-COMRAD project on ultrafast spintronics, EU-3DMAGiC project on nanoscale topological spin textures). The main supervisors for this PhD position are Dr Johan Mentink and Prof. A.V. Kimel. Additional support will be provided by Dr Dima Afanasiev and Prof. Theo Rasing. 
Our research is embedded in the Institute for Molecules and Materials (IMM), which strives to fundamentally understand, design and control the functioning of molecules and materials. IMM offers a first class and international research environment with various theoretical and computational research topics and projects targeted to support and stimulate experiments.



Radboud University
Radboud University We want to get the best out of science, others and ourselves. Why? Because this is what the world around us desperately needs. Leading research and education make an indispensable contribution to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. This is what unites the more than 24,000 students and 5,600 employees at Radboud University. And this requires even more talent, collaboration and lifelong learning. You have a part to play!