Postdoc in Open Quantum System Dynamics, Department of Quantum Nanosciene, TU Delft (ERC-Funded)

Postdoc in Open Quantum System Dynamics, Department of Quantum Nanosciene, TU Delft (ERC-Funded) ERC-Funded Postdoctoral Position in Open Quantum System Dynamics, Department of Quantum Nanoscience, TU Delft.

One postdoctoral position is available in my group at the Department of Quantum Nanoscience, TU Delft, to investigate the spin dynamics of molecular and atomic spins on surfaces. This project is one of the pillars of my ERC project, SPINOCCHIO, “A new quantum chemical approach to spins on surfaces.” Molecules and atoms with unpaired electrons exhibit a net magnetic moment and serve as the building blocks of molecular quantum devices for next-generation technologies. As the design principles for developing molecular magnetic behavior become clearer, the next challenge is assembling these units into spin lattices via surface deposition, controlling the phonon-mediated spin relaxation which hinders applications at room temperature, and addressing their magnetic behavior at the single-molecule level. Spin-phonon interactions are key in molecular magnetism, as they limit spin relaxation times, contributing to memory loss and phase decoherence. Factors like surface type (metallic vs. insulating) and coverage (monolayer vs. isolated) affect spin relaxation by influencing magnetic anisotropy and spin-phonon interactions. Standard computational strategies quantify phonon effects by analyzing how phonons modulate spin-Hamiltonian or crystal-field parameters for molecules in the gas phase. However, calculated relaxation times can differ from experimental values by up to three orders of magnitude. Bridging this gap requires more accurate calculations and realistic models, and currently, there is no first-principles investigation of spin dynamics on surfaces. This project aims to advance our understanding of the dynamic behavior of spins on surfaces and in surface spin arrays. We will develop a new first-principles approach to quantify spin-phonon couplings of spins on surfaces, enabling us to model their magnetic relaxation and obtain spin relaxation (T1) and coherence (T2) times. With this knowledge at hand, we will provide new design principles for extending the spin lifetimes of spins on surfaces. This approach combines electronic states obtained via a periodic quantum embedding (i.e., equation-of-motion coupled-cluster in periodic DFT, pbcEOM-CC) with a coarse-grained treatment of strong correlation, and uses a state-interaction treatment of spin-spin, spin-orbit, and Zeeman interactions. Neither this approach nor any other first-principles approach has yet been applied to investigate the spin dynamics of magnetic adsorbates. By using pbcEOM-CC states, this approach will surpass standard strategies that either neglect the environment or oversimplify it using point-charge models. The postdoc positions is for two years each. The starting date is negotiable but should preferably be 01.11.2026.

PhD in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, or a related discipline. Strong background in open quantum system dynamics, solid-state physics, quantum many-body physics, quantum information science. Experience with scientific programming is highly desirable. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. Ability to work independently as well as in multidisciplinary research teams. Interest in supervising Master's and PhD students, and in collaborating on grant writing and applications.

Duration of contract is 2 years. Temporary. A job of 38-40 hours per week. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. An excellent pension scheme via the ABP. The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year. Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages. Flexible working week. Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget. Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses. Partially paid parental leave Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program. Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service , offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.  .

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