PhD Position in Chemistry at the University of Amsterdam

The University of Amsterdam has a tenure track position (assistant professor) in Theory & Modelling of Materials for Nanolithography for the academic session 2021-2022

University ambition is to attract top talent in an ambitious and motivated scientist to a tenure track group leader position in a stimulating environment with excellent research conditions, tightly connected to challenging educational programmes.

Summary

Project Description

The Advanced Research Center for Nanolithography (ARCNL) focuses on the fundamental physics and chemistry involved in current and future key technologies in nanolithography, primarily for the semiconductor industry. It is a public-private partnership between the Dutch Research Council (NWO), the University of Amsterdam (UvA), the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) and the semiconductor equipment manufacturer ASML.

The Institute of Physics (IoP) – part of the UvA’s Faculty of Science – and the Advanced Research Center for Nanolithography (ARCNL) are expanding ARCNL’s Materials Department research on solid-state theory and modelling in the form of a new research group. Our goal is to have a maximal impact on science and society.

What are you going to do?

The successful applicant will set up a novel, independent research program with topics related to the theoretical description and modelling of the physical, chemical and mechanical behaviour of high-performance materials in the context of nanolithography. The focus of this position is on realistic simulations of materials and on materials design for nanolithography, based on density functional theory (DFT), molecular dynamics (MD), and other theoretical and numerical methods.

The new group will be based in ARCNL’s new, made-to-measure laboratories, which neighbour the Faculty of Science’s new building in Amsterdam Science Park. The group leader is a staff member of ARCNL, and at the same time a full member of the Institute of Physics of the University of Amsterdam, establishing and maintaining active collaborations with research groups at ARCNL, UvA and ASML Research, with other research groups in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and abroad; the nanolithography mission of ARCNL emphasises the interaction and collaboration with ASML Research.

Contribution to the materials’ theme throughout the Amsterdam BSc and MSc curricula is also part of the job description.

Within ARCNL, the new group will be embedded in the Materials Department, where it will have ample opportunities to collaborate with the Contact Dynamics group on contact and friction mechanisms at the atomic scale (e.g. involving adhesion, tribochemistry and boundary lubrication) and with the Nanolayers group and the Materials and Surface Science for EUV Lithography group (e.g. on the surface chemical processes and plasma-surface interaction that occurs in the challenging environments of nanolithography).

The design of novel thin-film materials, light-matter business, and surface processes occurring in reactive atmospheres, under high local mechanical forces, or under high-intensity ionising radiation are further examples of materials research interests ARCNL.

Amsterdam houses two global universities and the largest concentration of national research institutes in the country. Consequently, there is great potential for collaboration. For example, with:

• UvA’s vigorous theory activities in condensed matter physics and computational chemistry;
• UvA’s materials-oriented experimental research into the soft matter and quantum materials;
• Related groups in chemistry and physics at the Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam;
• Researchers working on functional complex matter at AMOLF

Application Deadline

The deadline for applications is April 12, 2021 

Eligibility Criteria

The successful candidate should have:

• A relevant PhD degree in Theoretical physics, Chemistry or Materials science;
• A strong Physics, Materials science and/or Chemistry background related to one or more of the following fields:
  • Theoretical and computational techniques, such as density functional theory (DFT)
  • Physics and chemistry of surfaces and interfaces of materials
  • Condensed matter theory and materials science
• Excellent research skills, evidenced by a track record of publications in renowned international journals and talks at international conferences/workshops
• Demonstrable didactic abilities; an affinity for teaching at Bachelor and Master level
• Preferably experience with the (co-)supervision of BSc, MSc and/or PhD students
• The management skills required for general academic administration, organisation and coordination tasks
• Ability to attract external funding
• Well developed communication and social skills
• Good command of English and willingness to learn the Dutch language

International research experience is preferred as it is a highly collaborative and enthusiastic approach.

Our offer

We offer you a tenure track agreement for five years (which is part of a six-year temporary contract) at the rank of Assistant Professor. At the start, we will draw up an agreement with you, specifying the tenure track requirements for research, teaching and management tasks that need to be fulfilled to assess progress after three years and after five years. The conditions in this agreement are negotiable and depend on your experience and scientific profile. Following a positive assessment after five years, the appointment will become permanent, at the level of Associate Professor.

We offer an attractive start-up package, including the budget for two junior researchers and access to state-of-the-art computational facilities.

Start dates are negotiable. The starting salary will be following university regulations for academic personnel and depending on experience and qualifications. It will range from a minimum of €3,746 gross per month to a maximum of €5,826 gross per month (salary scale 11-12) based on full-time employment. This is an exclusive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. A favourable tax agreement, the ’30 % ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Are you curious about our extensive secondary employment package benefits, like our excellent opportunities for study and development?

The UvA and ARCNL emphasise diversity in their recruitment and hiring policies. For talented female candidates, there is an additional possibility to acquire the tenure track position through the prestigious WISE (Women in Science Excel) program of NWO-I.

Application Process

The UvA and ARCNL are equal-opportunity employers. We prioritise diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

Do you recognise yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application by April 12 2021. You may apply online by using the link below. 

Applications in .pdf should include:

• A current CV
• Contact details of at least three persons whom we can ask for letters of recommendation (preferably including a recent collaborator)
• A research statement in which you layout your research plans for your IoP-ARCNL group for the coming years, and explain, as explicitly as possible, how your planned activities connect to ARCNL’s research focus and how they complement the expertise of existing research groups in the IoP in Amsterdam and further afield. Your research statement should be concise (two pages);
• A teaching statement in which you detail your didactic experience and briefly outline how you plan to contribute to Amsterdam’s teaching.

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