Research Scientist in the area of Materials Modeling (Electrochemical Energy Storage)

• Skoltech is an international university and a major research center founded in 2011.
• Skoltech is included in the TOP-100 of the world's strongest young universities in the natural sciences (Nature Index).
• 1200+ employees (international team).
• 14 research centers (AI, oil and gas, neurotech, biotech, etc.).
• Best practices and expertise through international professional environment.

Skoltech Center for Energy Science and Technology (CEST, Prof. D. Aksyonov group) is seeking for a full-time Research Scientist having major expertise in computational materials science covering areas such as modeling of inorganic solids, including transition metal oxides and ceramics using density functional theory and molecular dynamics with empirical potentials. The preferred starting date is February 2023.

We are looking for a highly qualified candidate committed to research, education, and innovation, who holds a Ph.D. degree (or equivalent) in Physics and Mathematics or Chemistry, and has experience in materials design and development, validated by publications in top peer-reviewed journals. High level of English is required.

A solid background in the following areas is expected:

• Crystallography, thermodynamics, condensed matter physics;
• Quantum mechanics, density functional theory (DFT), molecular dynamics (MD), nudged elastic band methods;
• Modeling of bulk and surface atomic structures, phase stability, diffusion, and charge transfer using DFT and MD software codes (VASP, Abinit, Quantum Espresso, Lammps, etc.);
• Programming in Python or similar languages.

You will work on the computational development of new materials for metal-ion batteries in a tight collaboration with experiment. An example of our recent investigations are here and here. The successful candidate will work in a challenging project aiming to improve electrode/electrolyte interfaces in solid state batteries through design of highly conductive and stable buffer layers.

Skoltech Center for Energy Science and Technology (CEST) is an interdisciplinary center for research, education and innovation at Skoltech that focuses on study and development of devices and systems that can dramatically advance portable electronics, electric vehicle transportation and grid energy storage sectors.

• Medical and life insurance (including dental, travel and accident insurance).
• Flexible start of the working day (as agreed with the manager).
• Social support system (including corporate psychologist consultations).
• Good transport accessibility (10 min. to metro stations Skolkovo, every 5-10 minutes transport from the metro stations Slavyansky Boulevard, Troparevo, Kutuzovskaya, Molodezhnaya and Solnechnaya).