Research Fellow in Molecular Quantum Theory

Job Description

Research Fellow in Molecular Quantum Theory: Grade: 7 Appointment at Grade 7 (£47,186 - £55,099) pa including London Allowance) is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD. Where applicants have not been awarded a PhD, appointment will be made at Research Assistant UCL Grade 6B (£40,603 to £43,749) pa including London Allowance) and payment at UCL Grade 7 salary will be backdated to the date of submission of the PhD thesis (including corrections).

Department: Chemistry: Location: Bloomsbury campus, London

Reports to

Dr. Hugh Burton

Context

This post is available to join an exciting new research project investigating the role of quantum entanglement and correlations in chemistry at University College London (UCL). The objective of this research is to understand how genuine quantum correlations can be used to realise entanglement in molecules, whether they are stable in chemical environments, and how they can affect macroscopic chemical observables, properties, and reactivitiy. This project is the start of a new international partnership with the Evangelista Group (Emory University, USA) funded by the joint NSF-UKRI/EPSRC award “MPS/CHE-EPSRC: Quantifying Utilizable Entanglement in Chemistry from First Principles”. The research will combine the derivation and characterisastion of model Hamiltonians to explore the emergence of entanglement in chemistry, with the development of advanced many-body techniques to predict quantum correlations in realistic molecular systems. The appointee will be embedded in our joint collaborative team across UCL and Emory, and will have the opportunity for a 1-2 month research visit to the Evangelista Group. The appointee will also share responsibility for designing and maintaining research software within the group, supervising undergraduate and postgraduate researchers, assisting the development of future funding proposals, and leading the preparation of research publications.

The appointment is for a fixed term of 36 months, starting as soon as possible. The candidate will join the Molecular Quantum Theory Group led by Dr Hugh Burton in the Department of Chemistry at the Bloomsbury Campus of University College London. Information about the group can be found at www.hughburton.com.

Applicants are asked to submit a CV and a 1-page Cover Letter explaining their motivation for applying to this position, why they wish to join our group, and how their prior experience fits the essential and desirable criteria.

The Chemistry Department at University College London is the oldest in England, and today is one of the best in the UK, ranked 3rd in the UK for research excellence in REF(2021). Our department is situated in Bloomsbury, at the heart of London, and we offer an exciting and vibrant environment in which to study at one of the UK's top universities. The Chemistry Department has over 50 members of academic staff carrying out world-leading research. We specialize in the areas of organic synthesis, chemical biology, computational chemistry, nanotechnology, inorganic and materials chemistry, physical chemistry, and chemical physics. The department has an annual research income of around £15 million, derived from many sources including the Research Councils (EPSRC, BBSRC, MRC, and NERC), European Commission and a wide range of charities and industrial partners in the UK, Europe and the USA.

Details about our research can be found on the departmental website http://www.ucl.ac.uk/chemistry.

Main purpose of the job

The postholder will be required to carry out research into

• Theoretical models of fermion-fermion and fermion-boson entanglement in molecules
• Stability of molecular entanglement and quantum correlation under chemical conditions
• Development of many-body techniques to quantify quantum correlations from first principles
• Implementation of research software in our group’s Quantel library

Duties and responsibilities

To lead the theoretical investigation of entanglement and quantum correlation in molecules.

To contribute to the development of research software developed by the group.

To support the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate students as required.

To record, analyse, and write up the results of the research.

To communicate research findings at national and international conferences.

To contribute to the drafting and submitting of papers to peer reviewed journals.

To contribute to the preparation and drafting of research bids and proposals.

To contribute to the overall activities of the research team and department as required.

To undertake a limited amount of teaching in relation to subject area.

To contribute to the induction and direction of other research staff and students as requested.

The job description reflects the present requirements of the post, and as duties and responsibilities change/develop, the job description will be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post-holder.

The postholder will carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the line manager.

The postholder will actively follow UCL policies including Equal Opportunities and be expected to give consideration within their role as to how they can actively advance equality of opportunity and good relations between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and people who do not share it.

The postholder will maintain an awareness and observation of Fire and Health & Safety Regulations.

To be aware of and act upon

Disciplinary procedure and disciplinary rules

Grievance procedure

Section 7 and 8 of the Health and Safety at Work Act

General

Follow and actively promote the UCL Ways of Working.

Takes responsibility to carry out duties in a way that embodies UCL's environmental and social sustainability values, actively supporting UCL's Sustainability Strategy, policies and objectives within the remit of their role.

Carry out any other duties within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the line manager.

This job description may be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder.

Person Specification

Note to job applicant: copy and paste the following criteria into your “Statement in support of your application” and describe underneath each criteria how you meet it, giving examples. You will be scored on how you meet each criteria.

Essential Criteria: Assessment method (Application form/ Interview / Practical Test)

Qualifications, experience and knowledge

PhD in Theoretical Chemistry, Quantum Physics, Quantum Information Theory, or a related subject: Application Knowledge of molecular quantum mechanics and many-body theory.: Application/Interview Knowledge of scientific programming and HPC:

GCSE English Grade C or above (or equivalent, e.g. IELTS): Application Experience of working in a research environment:

Skills and abilities

Proven research skills in molecular quantum mechanics and many-body theory: Application Proven experience in preparing research publications: Application Ability to analyse and write up data: Application Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences: Application Effective written and verbal communication skills in English: Application/Interview

UCL Ways of Working

Commitment to high quality research: Interview Ability to work collaboratively and as part of a team:

Desirable Criteria: Assessment method (Application form/ Interview / Practical Test) Experience of quantum chemistry software and calculations: Application Proven research experience in quantum information theory: Application Experience in Python and C++ programming: Application Experience of multi-disciplinary working: Application Ability to supervise and motivate junior researchers: Application/Interview