(SE-13) PhD Postgraduate Opportunity - Computational Chemistry Job in Cork City, Ireland

Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork is one of Europe's leading research centres, specialising in ICT hardware research, with ca 420 staff, students and academic & industrial visiting researchers. Tyndall undertakes internationally-leading research into information and communications technology.

Tyndall uses its facilities and expertise to support industry and academia nationally and provides large numbers of highly qualified graduate students, key to the development of Ireland’s national economy. Tyndall has over 200 industry partnerships and customers worldwide. Several start up companies in Ireland have been based on technology originating at Tyndall. The Institute’s researchers include 125 PhD and 10 Masters students, and 38 nationalities are represented within the institute at all levels, with its research published in 200 peer reviewed publications last year.

(SE-13) PhD Postgraduate Opportunity - Computational Chemistry Job Description

The Research in the Theory, Modelling & Design Centre at Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork is very well matched to Tyndall’s major research themes and application areas. The Centre hosts 50 researchers whose interests span Photonics, Micro/Nanoelectronics and Microsystems. Research in the centre addresses a mixture of problems. These include fundamental investigations and development of theoretical techniques, as well as the application of existing techniques to address problems of more immediate and applied relevance.
 
Miniaturization, the great driving force for the information technology and electronics industries, is now approaching its theoretical limits. As electronic device dimensions shrink to the molecular scale, theory and modelling assume an ever greater role.  Theory enables rapid investigation and analysis of new ideas and discoveries, prior to committing to an expensive practical implementation or development phase. Engineers and scientists in Tyndall’s Theory, Modelling and Design Centre specifically investigate new materials and their properties for uses in future electronic and photonic devices. They also research analog and mixed-signal circuits for applications in communications and signal processing. Using a unique set of tools and skills developed through years of expertise the researchers can rapidly identify the most promising research directions, and quickly focus efforts in those areas saving significant time and money.
 
Much of the research in the Centre is undertaken in close collaboration with industry partners. Intellectual property related to design of frequency synthesisers has recently been licensed to Analog Devices. The Thin Film Simulation Group is working with major equipment manufacturers on understanding and optimization of atomic layer deposition techniques. Tyndall theory researchers are leading a European project to develop a multiscale simulation environment for future electronic and photonics devices, and are leading a further European project to significantly reduce power consumption at the component and system level in advanced communication systems.
 
Applications are invited for a PhD position in computational chemistry for high-tech materials at Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, in collaboration with Lam Research Corporation.
 
Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is a technique for the growth of inorganic thin films from vapour-phase chemicals.  Tyndall National Institute is the leading centre for research into ALD by atomic-scale modelling (Dr S. Elliott, www.tyndall.ie/thin-film-simulation).
 
Lam Research Corporation is one of the world’s top companies for processes and equipment in semiconductor manufacturing, including ALD (www.lamrc.com). In this project, Lam and Tyndall are collaborating on the topic of silicon carbide (SiC), which is an important material in the manufacture of electronic chips. Depositing nanometer-thin films of SiC by ALD would allow smaller and faster electronics, but as yet no ALD process for SiC has been found.  This project will use quantum chemical calculations to explore new chemicals and reaction schemes for SiC and related materials.
 
The studentship will be based at Tyndall National Institute (Ireland) with study visits to Lam in Oregon (USA).
 
Please apply before 6 November 2013, by clicking the Apply button and following the instructions as outlined, including a motivation letter, CV and the names of two referees who can be contacted, stating clearly what attracts you to this project and in what ways you are suitable.  

The award will be co-funded by the Irish Research Council (IRC) and Lam through the IRC’s Enterprise Partnership Scheme.  Further details on the Enterprise Partnership Scheme can be found at http://www.research.ie/ .  After passing assessment at Tyndall, applicants must meet the IRC’s eligibility criteria and will be assessed independently by the IRC through an online application later in 2013.
 

(SE-13) PhD Postgraduate Opportunity - Computational Chemistry Job Requirements

Requirements
First class honours bachelor’s degree or master’s degree or equivalent in chemistry, materials science, physics or a related discipline.
 
Evidence of interest, aptitude and research experience in computational modeling (first principles, quantum chemistry or molecular mechanics techniques); appreciation of surface science, chemical vapour deposition or inorganic reaction mechanisms is also desirable.
 
Good communication skills, including fluency in written and spoken english (mandatory IELTS level 6.5 if not native speaker)
 
Candidates that are inventive, imaginative, versatile and independent.

(SE-13) PhD Postgraduate Opportunity - Computational Chemistry Application Information

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(SE-13) PhD Postgraduate Opportunity - Computational Chemistry Summary

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