ACRITAS funded PhD position on simulations of selfassemblyof molecules on surfaces

The Department of Physics is seeking a candidate for a fully funded PhD position for
4 years. The post is based in the Theory & Simulation of Condensed
Matter Group in the Department of Physics to work on ab initio DFT based
multiscale simulations of self-assembly phenomena of organic molecules on crystal
surfaces, specifically on understanding of heterochiral recognition. This work is going
to be conducted in close collaboration with an experimental group in Johannes
Gutenberg Universität Mainz (Germany).
This PhD position is fully supported by the ACRITAS Marie Curie Initial Training
Network (ITN). ACRITAS (www.acritas.eu) is a major European research project
focused on science at the single bond limit. The scientific theme at the core of the
ACRITAS training programme - measurement and manipulation at the single bond
limit using scanning probe microscopes - represents an intensely exciting area of
state-of-the-art scientific research. ACRITAS brings together previously distinct
communities of scanning probe microscopists and theorists (in the physical and life
sciences) to provide integrated training for young researchers, enabling them to
develop the next generation of scanning probe methods in nanoscience (both within
academia and in industry). ACRITAS, which runs for four years from October 2012,
involves eleven core partners and thirteen associate partners spanning academia,
industry, professional bodies, and NGOs.
The successful candidate is expected to register for a PhD and have a primary degree
of an appropriate standard in a relevant subject (e.g. Physics, Chemistry, Materials
Science – please contact [Email Address Removed] for advice), and must meet the
Marie Curie mobility regulations. During the course of the work the student will be
able to learn and apply the state-of-the-art computational tools and theoretical
techniques, as well as to spend some considerable time at the partner Institution in
Germany and learn/understand in detail some of the important experimental
techniques related to the project.
The Theory & Simulation of Condensed Matter Group at KCL has an attractive working
environment in the centre of London and excellent computational facilities that will be
supplemented by additional computational resources associated with the project. The
researcher will also be able to communicate with a wide and diverse computational
community within the Thomas Young Centre (TYC) in London
(http://www.thomasyoungcentre.org), of which KCL is one of the founding members.
As we would like to fill this position as soon as possible, applications are welcome at
any time and the decision may be taken immediately as the appropriate candidate is
found. Please feel free to contact informally Prof. Lev Kantorovich
([Email Address Removed], tel. (+44) (0)20-78482160) and request further
information. For the application procedure see this site:

http://www.kcl.ac.uk/nms/depts/physics/study/PhD-Study/How-to-apply.aspx