Applications are invited for up to two Postdoctoral Research Assistants to perform research on the theory of condensed matter working with Professors JT Chalker, FHL Essler, P Fendley, DE Logan, SA Parameswaran and SH Simon. The positions are supported from an EPSRC grant on “Coherent Many-Body Quantum States of Matter”.

The posts are available for a fixed-term period of 2 years starting on 1 October 2020 (or mutually agreed date shortly before/after), with possible extension for a third year contingent on performance and funding.

The positions allow considerable flexibility in research topics, but the grant has as its main themes: quantum many-body dynamics, quantum behaviour far from the ground state, and topological platforms for quantum coherent phenomena, examined using both analytical and numerical techniques.

Postholders are expected to conduct research in collaboration with the grant holders (Professors Chalker, Essler, Fendley, Logan, Parameswaran and Simon). Duties will include carrying out research in theoretical physics within the general areas supported by the EPSRC grant; related tasks will include: collaborating in the preparation of reports and journal articles, presenting papers at conferences and workshops, and representing the group at meetings/seminars. The postholders will have the opportunity to teach.

The successful candidates should hold, or be close to completion of a PhD/DPhil in physics, or a closely related field. Expertise in one or more of the following areas is highly desirable: quantum field theory applied to quantum condensed matter systems; topological aspects of quantum condensed matter, particularly in interacting systems; one dimensional interacting quantum systems including techniques of integrability; numerical methods, particularly tensor network and MPS techniques for strongly correlated systems.

You will be required to upload a CV (including a list of publications) and a brief statement of research interests as part of your application. You will also be asked to provide details of at least two referees. Candidates should ensure that referees submit all references to: CMTreferences@physics.ox.ac.uk by the closing date. Documents submitted should be in PDF format and use the naming convention: APPLICANT SURNAME, FORENAME - REFEREE SURNAME, FORENAME”.

Please note that applicants will be considered only for the advertised recruitment. If they wish to be considered for any other similar positions advertised by the University, they must submit a separate application for those posts.

Please direct enquiries about the role to one of the grant holders: john.chalker@physics.ox.ac.uk; fabian.essler@physics.ox.ac.uk; paul.fendley@physics.ox.ac.uk ; david.logan@chem.ox.ac.uk; sid.parameswaran@physics.ox.ac.uk or steve.simon@physics.ox.ac.uk.

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on Friday 15 November 2019.

The University of Oxford and Department of Physics are Athena SWAN Silver Award holders.