Researcher in Relativistic and Correlated Attosecond Physics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Mathematical Physics is a common division between the Natural Science and Engineering (LTH) faculties and it is part of the Department of Physics. Research is conducted primarily in the field of quantum mechanical many-particle physics, which includes theoretical nuclear structure physics, nanometer physics, quantum information, atomic theory and material modeling, with numerous partnerships both internationally and within Lund University.

Over the last decades the field of attosecond science has developed into an important branch of modern physics, where electron dynamics in atoms, molecules and solids can be studied and controlled in the time domain using coherent laser pulses and short-wavelength pulses from novel light sources, such as High-order Harmonic Generation and Free-Electron Lasers. The rapid developments in attosecond science calls for novel theoretical time-dependent methods for simulations of atoms in strong electromagnetic fields that take both relativistic and electron-electron correlation effects into account. This theoretical work will be carried out at the Mathematical Physics division at LTH with synergy effects from the Atomic Physics division to provide a strong link between experimental and theoretical work in attosecond science. More information can be found here: http://www.matfys.lth.se/staff/Marcus.Dahlstrom/

Work duties

You will work on the development of a state-of-the-art method to simulate atoms in strong laser fields including both relativistic and electron-electron correlation effects. This will be done by developing and implementing the theory for a Time-Dependent Configuration Interaction Singles (TDCIS) method that is based on the Dirac equation with a Hartree-Fock potential, rather than the (non-relativistic) Schrödinger equation used in prior works. At your disposal you will have FORTRAN codes for relativistic atomic many-body calculations at the start of the project. Extraction of photoelectron spectra from the relativistic TDCIS simulations will be performed by extending the Time-Dependent Surface Flux (t-SURFF) method to relativistic domain. Methods to simulate ion coherences from strong fields will also be developed. 

The main topic is to study relativistic electron-hole dynamics for atoms in strong laser fields and coherent short-wavelength pulses, such as attosecond pulses from High-order Harmonic Generation. The method will allow for studies of relativistic effects, such as spin-orbit interaction, in photoionization by strong fields and the creation of relativistic ion coherences. 

The position is part of a larger project called Bound Electron Wavepackets for Attosecond Resolved Emission (BEWARE) which is supported by the Olle Engkvist Foundation as a Swedish Foundations’ Starting Grant (equivalent to an ERC Starting Grant). During this project we will simulate a novel kind of measurement technique called Pulse Analysis by Delayed Absorption (PANDA) that allows for time-frequency measurements of attosecond pulses by photoionization of atoms in time-dependent excited states.

The researcher is expected to interact with the master students and the PhD students in the research group and contribute to meetings and seminars.

Qualification requirements

Applicants must have:

• A PhD or equivalent research qualification within the subject of the position.
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English
• The subject of the doctorate degree should be physics within the field of theoretical many-body physics or theoretical attosecond physics.

Assessment criteria and other qualifications

• Experience in advanced programming, parallelization and code development for demanding numerical problems in prior post-doc position.
• Experience in simulation and analysis of time-dependent and/or correlated quantum processes that require large computational effort using computer clusters.
• Very good communication skills.
• We are looking for a person who is structured, goal-oriented, dedicated to problem-solving, and has good self-awareness.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Terms of employment
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of maximum 2 years. We intend to employ 1-2 researchers

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English and be compiled into a PDF-file containing:

• résumé/CV, including a list of publications,
• a general description of past research and future research interests (no more than three pages),
• contact information of at least two references,
• copy of the doctoral degree certificate, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered.