Wissenschaftliche:r Mitarbeiter:in (w/m/d)

Research Alliance Ruhr

As the densest university landscape in Europe, the Metropole Ruhr offers attractive career opportunities for excellent scientists from all over the world.

In order to bundle their top international research on the major challenges facing humanity, the Ruhr-Universität Bochum, the TU Dortmund University and the University of Duisburg-Essen founded the Research Alliance Ruhr in 2021. Four research centres and a college have been established here.

This is the latest development in the long-standing cooperation as the University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr), a community of 14,000 researchers and 110,000 students.

Location
Duisburg

Application area
Research Alliance Ruhr/Faculty of Physics

Computational Scientist (f/m/d, Nr. 321-26)
TV-L 13 (gross 59.324 € - 84.319 €)

Ferroics are a versatile class of materials allowing control of properties through strain, doping, external electric and magnetic fields. These tuneable characteristics form the basis of the research carried out in the Functional Ferroic Systems group.

We are seeking a highly motivated computational scientist / theorist with a profound background in ferroelectric and multiferroic oxides to join the Functional Ferroic Systems group. The successful candidate will play an important role in developing new research directions and contribute to the interpretation of cutting-edge microscopy studies on ferroic oxides, bridging theory and experiment. The computational research will deepen our understanding of the emergent physical phenomena and guide the discovery of new materials with desirable properties. Responsibilities include developing and applying theoretical frameworks to describe ferroics on both atomistic and macroscopic levels, as well as proposing novel systems and mechanisms to be explored experimentally. We are particularly interested in candidates who have profound documented expertise in condensed matter physics with a focus on modelling of ferroics, and who have demonstrated a high degree of synergy working closely with experimental groups.

Applicants should have a relevant publication record in leading peer‑reviewed journals, experience working in collaborative projects, as well as first expertise in supervising students from the Master’s to PhD level. The successful candidate will also be expected to initiate additional research projects at UDE and to apply for external funding.

Please explicitly explain your experience addressing the different points listed below (your role/your profile) and, if possible, provide respective documentation (e.g. published manuscripts).

Start of employment
as soon as possible

Duration of employment
12 months

Working time
39 h 50 min (100 %, part-time employment is possible)

Your main tasks

• develop and implement theoretical frameworks, including:
  • atomic-scale first-principles calculations
  • hierarchical scale-bridging studies
  • macroscopic-scale methods: Landau theory, effective Hamiltonians, or similar
• interpret the experimental data and help understanding emerging phenomena
• propose novel systems and mechanisms to be explored experimentally
• enable and guide research on:
  • ferroelectrics and multiferroics
  • functional defects (e.g. domain walls, point defects)
• structure-property relationships
• acquire external funding

Your profile

• a PhD degree in Materials Physics, Condensed Matter Physics or a related field
• a strong background in ferroelectrics, multiferroics and functional oxides
• strong expertise in computational methods on both atomic (e.g. VASP, ABINIT) and macroscopic length scales (e.g. effective Hamiltonians, finite-element methods)
• extensive hands-on experience with constructing and applying computational models on demand
• high degree of synergy with experimental groups proven by high-quality joint research
• fluent in oral and written English
• independence and a collaborative mindset

We offer you

• an employment in a multifaceted field of activity as part of research-intensive environment with international collaborations
• an interesting, responsible job with great creative potential
• a wide range of training and development opportunities, individual induction training
• excellent public transport connections and free parking spaces
• attractive sports and health offers (university sports)
• family-friendly environment with childcare options
• advice on family caregiving responsibilities
• the option to work from home

Application deadline

2026-07-22

Code number

321-26

Application

Please email your application to niklas.oelsner@uni-due.de using the subject line “computational scientist application” and quoting the reference number** 321-26.**

Your application should contain:

• a cover letter describing your motivation for pursuing this work and how you expect the work to fit into your long-term goals
• a CV including the list of publications
• copies of your two most relevant publications with a statement describing your contribution to each
• the contact details of two PIs you recently worked with

Information about the job

Information about the team is available at: https://www.uni-due.de/physik/agmeier/home-en

You can find information about the faculty issuing this call for applications at: https://www.uni-due.de/physik/

Learn more

In accordance with the State Equal Opportunities Act, women with the same qualifications are given referential considered.

Applications from suitable disabled persons and persons of equal status within the meaning of § 2 para. 3 SGB IX are desired.

By applying for one of the advertised positions, you expressly agree to the requirements in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation and to being contacted by mail. Further information on data protection can be found here.