Post-doc position at the University of Coimbra in EU project on
theoretical reaction dynamics.
 
In the framework of a Research Training Network entitled "Predicting
catalysis: Ammonia production from first principles" computational
research will be carried out on reactions of nitrogen with hydrogen,
on metal surfaces, in the gas phase, and on clusters mimicking the
nitrogenase enzyme. The primary goal of the network is to show that
theoretical methods are now powerful enough to accurately predict the
performance of an industrially relevant, supported catalyst for
ammonia production. A postdoc position is available for the part of
the project to be performed at the University of Coimbra in the
Theoretical & Computational Chemistry group of Prof. Varandas. The
major goal will be the calculation by accurate ab initio methods of
the relevant potential energy surfaces and their modelling for use in
gas phase reaction dynamics studies. These will be done in
collaboration with other groups in the network. The following groups
are involved:

Evert Jan Baerends, Free University, NL ([log in to unmask])
David Clary, University College London, UK ([log in to unmask])
Claus J.H. Jacobsen, Haldor Topsøe A/S, DK ([log in to unmask])
Hannes Jónsson, University of Iceland, IS ([log in to unmask])
Geert-Jan Kroes, Leiden University, NL ([log in to unmask])
Uwe Manthe, Technische Universität München, D ([log in to unmask])
Jens Nørskov, Technical University of Denmark, DK ([log in to unmask])
Antonio Varandas, Universidade de Coimbra, P ([log in to unmask])
 
All projects will be done in close collaboration with the other
laboratories in the network, and money is available for each post-doc
in the network to spend one month performing research in one of the
other laboratories. In each lab, the initial appointment will be for a
period of 14 months, but funding is available for an additional period
of 14 months.  We are looking for people with a Ph.D. in Chemistry,
Physics, or Applied Physics, and with experience with computational
methods relevant to the field of Chemical Physics. The EC requires
that applicants be no older than 35 years at the start of their
appointment (exceptions being possible due to compulsory military or
civil service, or child care). Furthermore, applicants must be
nationals of a European Community Member State or an Associated State,
or they must have resided in the Community for at least five years
immediately prior to their appointment in the network. The applicant
must not be a national of the state in which the participant's
research team appointing him/her is located, and must not have carried
out his/her normal activities in that state for more than 12 of the 24
months immediately prior to his/her appointment. The Associated States
include Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the Republic of Cyprus, Estonia,
Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malta,
Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

Applicants should submit their CV and list of publications and one or  
two letters of recommendation to:
Prof. A.J.C. Varandas
Departamento de Química,
Universiadade de Coimbra, 
3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal. 
Other contacts: tel. +351 239 835867
(secr. +351 239 852080) 
email: [log in to unmask]